As the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, Karmapa will preside over the ceremonies, assisted by other high lamas of the Karma Kagyu and other Kagyu schools. At Bodh Gaya, under the Bodhi Tree, descendent of the very tree under which the historical Buddha attained enlightenment, Karmapa will lead prayers, accompanied by lamas, monks, nuns and lay students from India and around the world. This traditional wishing prayer consists of vast altruistic aspirations to attain enlightenment in order to lead all beings to enlightenment. As Karmapa has said:. Aspirations are extremely powerful. They are one of the most moving phenomena, which touch us deeply. They go very much to the depth of our consciousness. Karmapa will grant an empowerment, and conduct a puja for the deceased.

Karmapa to lead prayers and give empowerment


Dharma Teachings
Bodhgaya is the place where Buddha achieved Enlightenment more then 2, years ago and it is the most important pilgrimage site for all Buddhists worldwide. During the Kagyu Monlam, we make wishes for world peace and freedom and the happiness of all beings. It is one of the most significant events in the annual Buddhist calendar and a wonderful time, during which Western and Eastern students of Karmapa meet and foster their friendship. The Monlam Celebration is an old tradition from Tibet and it is celebrated by the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism since more than years.
Karmapa Documentary channel on youtube
In December or January of every year, hundreds of disciples of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism come together to share aspiration prayers in holy places throughout India, in what is called the Kagyu Monlam. This is one of the most significant events in the Buddhist calendar. Bodh Gaya is the place where the Buddha achieved enlightenment and is the main pilgrimage site for Buddhists of all traditions. Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, has been leading the aspiration prayers since , accompanied by other Buddhist lamas. The effect of reciting an aspiration prayer in the presence of such great bodhisattvas just once is more powerful than reciting it a million times on your own. Many aspiration prayers are recited during the Kagyu Monlam. It is part of a large collection of the words of the Buddha preserved in the Kanjur.
Bodhgaya — The annual gathering at Bodhgaya offers a unique opportunity for the monastic Sangha and lay devotees from all parts of the globe to assemble for a week to jointly follow aspiration prayers together with Karmapa under the Bodhi Tree. Karmapa conducted the prayers together with lamas, monks, nuns and lay students from India and around the world. At the same time, an individual practitioner can focus on his or her individual practice. The daily schedule started at 7 and went until 5 pm. Additional to the daily prayers, the following programme was offered:. Starting on 11 December , every day a freshly cooked meal was served to the poor on a site not far from the temple compound. The meals were prepared on the premises and served on plates made of leaves. Together with homeless people, children, old and disabled people suffering from malnourishment, the local community of bhikkhus who live traditionally by alms, also joined the food distribution for ten days.