Kagyu Monlam 2024, Part 1 (Photos)
Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, arrived at Gaya airport on the afternoon of the 15th of December 2024, and was warmly welcomed by members of the Kagyu Monlam Organising Committee and a gathering of both monastic and lay practitioners.
As Karmapa’s car approached Karma Temple, lines of lamas, monks, nuns, and lay devotees received him with parasols, music, incense, flower petals, and offering scarves.
On the morning of the next day, the 16th of December, Karmapa offered a ceremonial lamp in front of the Buddha statue at Mahabodhi Temple, and then took his throne under the shade of the Bodhi Tree to lead the aspiration prayers recited during the Kagyu Monlam, including the “King of Aspiration Prayers”, also known as “Samantabhadra’s Wishing Prayer”.
Thousands of Rinpoches, lamas, monks, nuns, and lay practitioners have gathered in Bodh Gaya again this year to participate in this most significant event for Karma Kagyu practitioners around the world.
On the morning of the 17th of December, Karmapa also visited the Bodhi Tree School to join the International Solidarity Conclave 2024. Lines of children welcomed Karmapa with a military parade and a scattering of flower petals. Delegations of students from various other schools, who had been invited to celebrate the value of human solidarity, recited sacred chants in front of Karmapa. This was followed by the presentation of tokens of appreciation to the guests of honour.
Everyone was overjoyed to receive Karmapa again, and expressed their hope that he would visit again soon.
Every day, during and between sessions, groups of monastic and lay practitioners from all corners of the globe come to pay their respects to Karmapa, and receive his blessing and advice.
All sessions of the Monlam are live streamed here.
Please enjoy a selection of pictures from the first few days of this year’s Kagyu Monlam.
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