We are happy to announce that the second Kagyu Monlam Germany will be held at Kamalashila Institute from June 28th til July 1th 2012.

First Kagyu Monlam Germany was a great success!

July 7th – 10th, 2011
The Kamalashila Institute, Seat of His Holiness The XVII. Gyalwang Karmapa, Urgyen Trinley Dorje, in Europe, has been delighted and honoured to hold the First Kagyu Monlam in Germany and the Karmapa 900 ceremonies from July 7th to 10th.

When the first session started in the early morning, presided by His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, the gompa was filled by ordained and dharma practitioners from all over Germany and neighbouring countries (e.g. Austria, Belgium, France, Poland, Switzerland). At the weekend nearly 40 ordained and more then 150 lay practitioners assembled.

Rinpoche pointed out that the purpose of sending the Kagyu Monlam round the world is not to propagate a new fashion or tradition, but to benefit all sentient beings by accumulating merit and dispelling obstacles for the harmony in the world and the freedom of beings from suffering and misfortune. For this we need a strong motivation for the dharma practice and complete dedication to the lineage teachers.

The gathering recited daily in three sessions the prayers. In the second session they received on two days a teaching from Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche about »The Aspiration of the Mahamudra of Definitive Meaning« by The III. Karmapa, and on the last Monlam day the empowerment in the White Tara.

In the evening of Saturday, the last Monlam day, the Kamalashila Institute performed the Marme Monlam in front of the illuminated Enlightment Stupa with chants of the Sanskrit prayers, Buddhist dances, Songs of Milarepa and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, as well as the Lamp Prayer. The participants of the Monlam, honourable guests and the village people followed the performances. The celebration concluded with the »Praise of Joy« – the last part of one of the greatest musical compositions ever written – performed by the local church chorus and song by all present; a heart touching event.

On Sunday morning, in sunshine and in the presence of the representatives of the public, main sponsors, the press and numerous village people, and headed by Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, we celebrated the 900 years of the Karmapa Lineage in front of the Stupa. In a dignified procession the statue of the I. Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa, was brought in and put on an especially elevated throne.

The assembly watched the video message of His Holiness The XVII. Gyalwang Karmapa with great delight.

Rinpoche in his speech pointed out the importance of the I. Karmapa not only for the Kagyu tradition, but also for the Tibetan Buddhism in general and for the human beings of today in the modern world.

The Lord Mayor and the Mayor presented offerings and expressed how grateful and honoured they feel to host the famous Kamalashila Institute in their community. They expressed their wish that the institute might continue with the Kagyu Monlam in the future. In addition greeting addresses of the District Governor and of His Eminence Loden Sherab Dagyab Rinpoche were read out. The morning ceremonies finished with a Mandala Offering and the offering of a birthday cake, which were cut in pieces by Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche for the ordained and the assembly.

Later in the afternoon we concluded the Karmapa 900 Ceremonies by celebrating the Dusum Khyenpa Sadhana under the guidance of Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche .

It has been days of great bliss and joy, which were well reviewed and commented on in German Radios and newspapers.

May the blessing of these activities improve harmony and peace in the world and support the enlightened activities of His Holiness The XVII. Gyalwang Karmapa.

Images of the firts Kagyu Monlam germany and the Karmapa 900 celebrations

Impressionen vom ersten Kagyü Mönlam Deutschland und den Karmapa 900-Feierlichkeiten