25th January 2024
The “virtue in the end” of the 28th Kagu Monlam is accomplished once more in Bodhgaya with the brilliant candle-light ceremony of Marme Monlam. It was structured in keeping with the traditional Marme Monlam practice and with performances of masterfully trained Sangha members.
In front of the elegant and vibrant stage, alight with butter-lamps, the arrival of Chamgon Vajradhara Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche marked the start of the program; behind him, a sea of candles held by each of the many thousands of participants in the pavilion.
Three masters of ceremonies—Tibetan, English and Chinese—opened with respectful greetings to Chamgon Vajradhara Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche, Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche, Kyabje Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche and the entire monastic Sangha, as well as special guests, local and governmental officials, representatives of local monasteries and organisations, and all the faithful lay people from all over the world who had gathered in person and over the Web.
The first performance – prayers in Sanskrit – was performed by the chant masters of Kagyu Monlam, followed by the Melody of the Three Jewels sung by the monks of Vajra Vidya Institute of Thrangu Monastery, Sarnath, and nuns of Palmo Choekyi Dingkhang Nunnery in Bhutan. The third performance was the Chenrezik Practice: Benefiting All Beings Throughout Space chanted again by the chant masters of the Kagyu Monlam.
The last performance lifted the hearts of the audience, as the voices of the monks and nuns soared and filled the Pavillion with the Joyful Aspiration, written by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa.
The conclusion and very heart of the ceremony was Atisha’s Lamp Prayer recited by His Holiness the Karmapa and repeated by all – in Tibetan, then English and followed by Chinese. The large screens displayed a video of His Holiness when he was previously present at the Marme Monlam. Finally, everyone sang, their hopes and aspirations filling the night, as they prayed for “the light to dispel all the darkness of ignorance”.
With that, the 38th Kagyu Monlam was brought to a close in an atmosphere so uplifting that it ignites hope in anyone fortunate enough to have a glimpse.
