Introduction
“During the time of the 10th Karmapa, Choying Dorje, the Mongolians invaded and took over Tibet, and destroyed the Great Encampment and so after that there was no Kagyu Monlam.” –17th Karmapa (2025)
Today, the last day of the 39th Kagyu Monlam, there was a procession of white cotton-clad yogi practitioners, demonstrating their proficiency in the tummo (inner heat practice). This has become a stunning tradition at the Kagyu Monlams, as it is one of the six yogas of Nāropa. Most of us (including myself) find it hard to get up in the morning at 6 am without a heater on, never mind walk around with wet cotton barefoot in the icy cold Bodh Gaya morning! Emaho! I wondered why there were only men in the procession though, and not also some female practitioners? Hmmm.
This was followed by a passionate debate on the nature of reality, with the sharp and fast flowing sounds of wisdom arising, and the responders calmly pointing out the distinction between rang-tong (empty of self) and zhen-tong (empty of other), with the latter being more aligned with the ultimate Buddha Nature. culminating in debate prizes awarded in different topics. Always passionate, when the monks debate, one even wonders if they are listening to each other, they speak so fast, loudly and interrupt each other constantly, but if you can follow it, the logic, memorisation and wisdom arising is something exciting to hear and watch indeed!
Then in the afternoon, to the continuing delight of all present, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa also gave a half hour speech on a live webcast in which he spoke about the history of the Monlam in the Karma Kagyu, since the time of the 7th Karmapa and the Great Encampment, until its beginnings in Bodh Gaya, India with the 1st Kalu Rinpoche and the former 2nd Bokar Rinpoche. Also, about the importance of the Monlam as the end of year opportunity to unify and come together as a Karma Kagyu community, and in particular, about the efforts of the senior Karma Kagyu teachers who attended the Monlams, such as 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche, HE Mingyur Rinpoche, Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche and the young Bokar Rinpoche, and his spiritual friend, Khenpo Donyo Lodro Rinpoche.
The 17th Karmapa mentioned how less laypeople from around the world were attending the Kagyu Monlam these days, due to the COVID epidemic but also because he had not been able to attend the past few years. But he encouraged everyone to see it as important regardless and an opportunity for Kagyu to meet, and that the place Bodh Gaya was a very sacred site, with many pilgrims from all the over the world visiting during the Winter time. However, the 17th Karmapa did not explain why he was still unable to come to the Kagyu Monlam in person himself since 2018.
Then, the 17th Karmapa spoke a little about the passing away of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and his influence and benefit to the Karma Kagyu teachings, as well as the Drigung Kagyu Phowa master, Ayang Rinpoche to whom the 17th Karmapa said he also had a special and close connection to.
The 17th Karmapa also then spoke for the first time in detail, about his own father, Karma Dondrub’s passing away, and how he had not been able to say much until now, as the words could not seem come out of his mouth due to his strong feelings about it. He then explained the lack of any personal communication with his father in Tibet for over twenty years while he was in India, and how any communication had generally been through his sister. However, in the past couple of years, as his father had a very serious sickness, the Karmapa said he made a very special effort to connect with him. He explained how the first time he spoke to him, his father had asked what the Karmapa was doing , and about how the Kagyu teachings were doing? The 17th Karmapa said that this showed that his father had a vast understanding and aspiration for the Kagyu lineage teachings. Even though his father was very sick, that was the first thing he asked the Karmapa, and did not speak about his physical condition. The Karmapa mentioned that even many of the Karma Kagyu lamas and tulkus may not even have that kind of vast aspiration and thinking. An Akshobya puja was held at Tergar monastery for the 17th Karmapa’s father the previous day.
The 17th Karmapa then also briefly spoke about the recent passing away of the 97 year old brother of the 14th Dalai Lama, Gyalpo Dondup, a historical figure in Tibet [1]. Again the ‘big-hearted’ 17th Karmapa speaks of the 14th Dalai Lama’s family member’s passing, but did the Tibetan exile administration (CTA) or 14th Dalai Lama give a public message of condolence for the passing of 17th Karmapa’s father? No.
This was followed by the 17th Karmapa encouraging us all to think about and make aspirations for the hundreds of thousands of sentient beings passing away in the world recently, through conflict, natural disasters and so on, and that as Mahayana practitioners, if we cannot help all sentient beings and include them in our love, compassion and care, then we should at least try and encompass the beings on this planet with such kindness and aspirations.
On that final note, of inclusivity and equanimity, the Kagyu Monlam ended with an oral transmission by the 12th Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, and the magnificent wave of white katag scarves being held in the air and chants of ‘Tashi Shog!”, may all be auspicious! A toddler girl next to me, wearing a Barbie T-shirt, joyfully threw her katag in the air and dance around with meaningless abandon. The symbolism of which was not lost on me at all (rewinding back to those 2018 Marme Monlam pop concerts and ‘dolly’ presenters ha ha ha).
As the magnificent Tibetan horns, Ragdung [more on the invention of that instrument in another post on Atisha] blew their amazing sounds of bliss and open channels, there was a bitter-sweet sound of bliss, yet sadness at the continuing absence (since 2018) of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa himself at the Monlam.
Music? Somewhere (There’s a Place for Us) by Barbara Streisand, While My Guitar Gently Weeps by the Beatles, together with some tongue-in-cheek witty female wisdom of Music to Watch the Boys To by Lana Del Rey.
Written and compiled by Adele Tomlin, 11th February 2025.
Transcript: 17th Karmapa speech for the end of the 39th Kagyu Monlam 2025
“Today, I want to offer my greetings to everyone who has come to the Monlam, especially Drung Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, the spiritual friends, sangha, monastics and faithful lay devotees who have attended.
The history and importance of the Kagyu Monlam
The Kagyu Monlam in Bodh Gaya was started in the 1980s by the previous Kalu Rinpoche and the previous Bokar Rinpoche, which began by reciting the Aspiration Monlam Prayer, that was like the seeds of the Kagyu Monlam. Then gradually, HE Bokar Rinpoche because of his aspiration, made it into the Sangha Monlam, and then gradually it developed and became the Kagyu Monlam. It was changed to Kagyu Monlam and it became a place for all the different schools to join together, in particular the Kagyu monks and nuns and lay followers.
When we look at the history, during the time of the 7th Karmapa, Chodrag Gyatso there was the aspiration of the Great Encampment and so this held during the time of the Festival Miracles, the festival of the Great Shakyamuni Buddha. They had the great statue, Gangdorma statue of the Great Encampment as the support, and many other precious statues. And they made many vast offerings and aspirations there. So for that reason, the great Monlam aspiration that we are holding, is like a sign of the flourishing of the Kagyu teachers. During the time of the 10th Karmapa, Choying Dorje, the Mongolians invaded and took over Tibet, and destroyed the Great Encampment and so after that there was no Kagyu Monlam.
So when we hold the Kagyu Monlam here In the sacred place of Bodh Gaya, and we have a great number of sangha members gathering, and we have a great aspiration where we gather many aspirations of merit. So when we speak about the previous Kagyu masters. In our Kagyu monasteries, we have our own pujas and yet the one opportunity we have is to gather at the end of the year and hold the Kagyu Monlam. For example, we are all gathered here and hold it here. For that reason, it is a place for all our Kagyu monasteries to become one. It is a large stage and opportunity for us.
Not only that, there are many faithful people who come from all over the world who come to Bodh Gaya because it is also a very sacred site. So during the winter, when the pilgrims come here, so they also come and visit the Kagyu Monlam. So there are many devotees who gather at this place from all over the world and gather at this place. So it is a very meaningful thing.
However, over the last few years, partly due to the COVID epidemic, and because I have also not been able to attend, for this reason, primarily there are fewer people from abroad who have come. So this is the situation we are in. However, as I mentioned before, holding the Kagyu Monlam is not just some worldly gathering where you all are busy doing lots of things and make a lot of noise. It is an occasion where you gather merit for the sake of all sentient beings. It is not just a place where we have a busy or hectic week.
The meaning or benefit of the Kagyu Monlam, or the aim of the Kagyu Monlam is something we can identify and see. It is not contradictory that it is meaningful. In the past, people considered it to be very important. In the future, I would like it if people continued to consider this Monlam as important. Whether we think about it historically or in the present, it is important to recognize how important it is.
The Karma Kagyu teachers and tulkus: living and recently passed
“Also, at this Monlam, the Drung Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche gave a teaching on pointing out the three kayas. This is one of the special teachings of the first three Karmapas. It was particularly emphasized by the 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi. So we now have had the opportunity to receive these precious pith instructions from Gyaltsab Rinpoche. We should all appreciate this, and Gyaltsab Rinpoche despite his own physical condition, gave this teaching without any holding back.
Next, the second point is that the young tulku, Bokar Chogtrul Rinpoche is here. Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche this year was enthroned in a ceremony, as everyone knows. The previous Bokar Rinpoche, was very kind and beneficial for the Kagyu teachings in general, and for the Kagyu Monlam. And so now Bokar Chogtrul Rinpoche was enthroned I thought it would be good to make a connection with him at the Kagyu Monlam. So, I requested Rinpoche to give the teachings on the Avalokiteshvara practice, the All-Pervading Benefit for Beings. I would like to give thanks to Chogtrul Rinpoche.
So in particular, whenever we have the Monlam, HE Zurmang Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche always come to these Monlams. So these two Rinpoche among the Kagyu lamas are those with the greatest activity and experience of the present times. So if these two Rinpoches can continue to preserve and uphold the teachings, this is something we can all hope for and spread.
We did ask Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche to give some teachings during the pre-Monlam, but he already had something scheduled. However, I think next year, if he can give an introduction to the Zurmang oral lineage. In our Kamtsang, only people in Zurmang Kagyu pay attention to it, other people do not take so much interest. So if we can talk on the history of that it would be beneficial.
Also, if Mingyur Rinpoche is very busy all over the world, but I think it would be beneficial for everyone for him to give meditation teachings. In the past, he has given meditation instructions at the Monlam, and in the future if he could continue to teach meditation at the Monlam that is my personal hope for him.
We also have Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche, he was inseparable from the previous Bokar Rinpoche, like a body and its shadow. He has been coming, and I hope he can continue to come in the future. Even though Rinpoche is getting to an older age, he is still in good health and is staying with Bokar Rinpoche, so I hope he can continue to do that. This is something we can all be happy about and rejoice in. As I said before, last year, I asked Rinpoche to love long for the sake of beings, and I would like him to give some mental impetus.
Another lama who has been very beneficial for our teachings is Khenpo Tsultrim Gyatso Rinpoche. When he was in Tibet, he spent many years in retreat and achieved a high level of pract8ice. Then. After he fled Tibet as a refugee, he came to Rumtek and stayed and taught there. Many of the lamas and tulku who studied there were part of his lineage. Now, he has passed away, but from another perspective, even the great beings had such great aspirations for benefiting beings. It is not like sometimes they do it and other times they do not, so I hope that they repeatedly come back to the world and perform activity to benefit beings. That is my own aspiration prayer.
Chodrag Tengyur Rinpoche was recognized by the precious 16th Karmapa and was an important lama at the Chodrag monastery. So he was important for that lineage and he was very young when he passed away. So that is unfortunate.
Likewise, the Dharma Lord, Drigung Kagyu, Ayang Rinpoche took many students and gave many teachings on the Great Drigung Phowa and have vast activities. In particular, I myself had a strong connection with him. Rinpoche himself had a great affection for all the previous Karmapas, very different from anyone else. So when Rinpoche passed away it was something I found very sad. I wish that Rinpoche’s wishes and activities may all be fulfilled and that he may continue working for the teachings and benefit of beings.
Words of 17th Karmapa’s father before he passed: “how are the Kagyu teachings doing?”
Also, if I think about it in this life, my mother and father, my father Karma Dondrup passed away last year. So, when he passed away , I thought I should say something. But I really could not get the words out of my mouth, because my feelings were too strong, and it has been twenty years since I personally met him. I had always hoped I would see him. But at the end, I never met him again and he passed away. So personally, I feel great regret about this.
My father himself, was probably a little bit better for him, he was able to understand think about it in a wider way. For myself, as an example, for many years I never had any direct connection. When I was in India, I had to make a connection through my sister. Occasionally, maybe twice per year, I was able to speak with them and make a connection. One or two years before my father passed away, I thought I really have to make a connection with him. I thought if I do not make a connection, I will really regret that. So I made a connection and sometimes spoke with him. When I first made the connection with him, it had been several years since we had spoken, my father was unable to say much, because he had a serious illness for many years. He had been bed-ridden and been unable to say much. My mother was nearby him, so she encouraged him to say a few words. So he asked me “What are you doing?” and spoke with my mother. So I insisted she tell me, and she told me that he said “you need to spread the Kagyu teachings.”
For him to say this, after so many years and we had not spoken, and then all of a sudden, he asks me about how the Kagyu teachings are doing. I never thought he would ask that, and so I did not know what to say. Afterwards when I thought about it, my father was someone who had a very broad vision, I did not know what to say. In particular, he thought about the Kagyu teachings.
So, it was very clear to me that was how he was. For that reason, we cannot speak about many Kagyu lamas and tulkus, who think about this the same way, who would have such vast thinking about beings and the teachings. He himself individually, would not consider his own personal suffering and difficulties, but think about the Kagyu teachings instead. My mother was not so much that way. But my father even though he had such a serious illness, for him not to talk about that and be able to think like that and say that shows he had a real strength of mind Therefore, for that reason, I think he will be able to get a good body. Yet still please may everyone make aspirations for his own sake.
Also, Gyalpo Dondrup [the brother of the 14th Dalai Lama] passed away recently, he was an important person in recent Tibetan history. I did not meet him more than three times myself. He was able to think things through and come up with different ideas. Among Tibetans there are probably very few people like him. So for him to pass away, as the 14th Dalai Lama spoke about it, lifetime after lifetime he is someone who has served the Dalai Lama, that is his aspiration to do that.
If we think about the situation in the world, it is full of conflict, and turbulent. Also in terms of the environment, there are disasters. In particular, there was an earthquake in Tibet, and a wildfire in the USA. Also, in Russian there is the war with Ukraine, the war in Gaza. There has been a temporary ceasefire, but many people have died and it is terrible situation. We are all living together on the planet earth, so if something happens in one country, indirectly or directly, it has an effect positively or negatively. If we think that we live in one country and that has no impact on other countries, it is not like that. We are all dependent on each other and are all connected to each other. If there is difficulty in one, there is difficulties for all of us. So this gives us many difficulties economically and so on. So we need to think about it.
We say we are Mahayana practitioners and think about all sentient beings. Forget about all sentient beings, we need to think about all sentient beings on this planet. Can we wrap our minds around those beings at least. So that is one thing.
Long-life offering for 12th Tai Situpa and Gyaltsab Rinpoche
“Lastly, tomorrow, we have the long life offering to 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche and 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche, by way of the three roots combined. This is a terma revelation by the 3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, so we can make that long-life aspiration.
Then, also I spent about five to six months writing the new introduction. I have not got time to explain it now. But in any case, this Karma Kagyu tradition of the three roots combined, has special blessings, and one of the special ancestral Dharmas of the Karma Kagyu. So, for us to make the long-life aspiration by way of this, to these two gurus, who are the heart sons of the 16th Karmapa. There are mainly four heart sons, but these days there are only two left. So to make aspirations for these two gurus of the Karma Kagyu is very important.
Accommodation for the monastics
The next point is during the Monlam, as it is getting hot all throughout the world, also the sangha have had some difficulty staying in the tents, in daytime it is very hot, and the evenings are cold, and there have even been some snakes getting into the tents. There have been a lot of difficulties and problems. So we had a meeting to discuss this. So, hopefully for next year, we will have better accommodations for the sangha members for next year’s Monlam. We need to make comfortable and safe accommodation for the sangha.
I have been saying for many years, the administrator of the Kagyu Monlam, Lama Chodrag has been saying he will build some buildings, yet it is a bit like a horse, if you don’t ride the horse and get it going, then it will not go [or as we say in English ‘you can take a horse to water but you cannot make it drink! ha ha ]. Previously, most lamas would have already made a few buildings for the accommodation by now. If we have a vast plan, but the leader/owner cannot do the task/building, then it becomes very difficult right?
In any case, we will be discussing what to provide next year that are comfortable and secure. This is a hope we all hold. Other than that, I do not have anything else to say. Other than thank you very much for all the roots of virtue we have gathered.
In the Mahayana we all dedicate with a vast aspiration, then even if we do not have a lot of time, it is like money, if we invest that well, then in the future, there will come a great benefit. Thus it is very important to make dedications for our aspirations.”
Endnotes
[1] Gyalpo Dhondup, brother of the 14th Dalai Lama passed away two days ago in Kalimpong at the age of 97 years old. He was born in 1928 in China’s Taktser. In 1939, he moved to Lhasa, Tibet. He studied Chinese history and lived in Nangjing, China, before fleeing Tibet in 1952, before the 14th Dalai Lama fled. In 1948, he had married the daughter of a Chinese army general in China. Before China took over Tibet, many Tibetan inside and outside Tibet, including the 9th Panchen Lama, and Gedun Chopel had sought assistance from the Chinese communists to assist them in removing the Ganden/Gelug absolute sectarian power there, headed up by the Dalai Lama institution.