Kagyu Monlam 2023 announcement

October 3, 2023

We are happy to inform all Dharma friends that, after a break of three years due to the pandemic, our Kagyu Monlam will finally take place again in December in Bodhgaya, the sacred place where our historical Buddha attained enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago. All sessions will be streamed here.

The Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya has always been an auspicious occasion for our worldwide Karma Kagyu family, for which thousands of monks, nuns and lay practitioners gather in the shade of the Bodhi Tree to offer aspirations for the benefit of all sentient beings.

This year’s Kagyu Monlam will take place from the 15th to 21st December 2023 and it will be the 21st Kagyu Monlam since 1996, when the late Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche gathered the resources for all Karma Kagyu practitioners to come together for the first time at the sacred venue of Bodhgaya.

Karmapa will once again lead the aspiration prayers under the Bodhi Tree, joined by many Rinpoches, Khenpos and Lamas.

The main prayer recited at the Kagyu Monlam is known as the ‘King of Aspiration Prayers’ or the ‘Samantabhadra Wishing Prayer’.

As Karmapa has said:

When we come together at the sacred place where Gautama Buddha reached enlightenment and offer aspirations for peace and prosperity for all beings, the merit, wisdom and benefit that is accumulated is tremendous.

Practitioners from around the world are invited to join Karmapa in the Monlam prayers.

Karmapa hopes that many of you will be able to participate in this auspicious gathering and looks forward to seeing you in Bodhgaya.

Please enjoy these photos of the 2019 Kagyu Monlam.