Date: July 27 - 30, 2017
Location: Grande Pagode de Vincennes in Paris
Presiding Master: Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
First day Public talk: The Art of Living and Dying ( 27th july)
Monlam prayers : 28th to 30th july
Website: www.kagyumeunlamfrance.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KagyuMeunlamFrance/?ref=ts&fref=ts
Contact and registration:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Monlan Report

The 5th Kagyu Monlam France took place at the Grande Pagode de Vincennes in Paris from the 27th to 30th July 2017 and, for the second time, was presided over by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche.

At the request of the Kagyu Monlam France board, on the first day Rinpoche taught on the Art of Living and Dying, and bestowed a White Tara empowerment, followed by three days of Monlam prayers and activities.
Many lamas and devotees from all over France and Europe came to attend this annual event. 

In the first afternoon session of the second day, everyone was delighted to welcome Ven. Dakpo Rinpoche, a revered Lama of the Geluk school, who is based in France.
On the last day, monastic sangha of the Drukpa lineage from  India and Nepal visited the Monlam. During the afternoon session, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche presided over the Akshobya Puja for the living and the dead, followed by the Lama Choepa and Marme Monlam. 

The 5th Kagyu Monlam France was very simple and joyful, with good weather, and was enjoyed immensely by all the participants.
Without the blessings of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, the support of the CEO of Kagyu Monlam, Lama Choedrak, and the work of volunteers, supporters and friends, the Monlam in France would not have happened.

We dedicate all the merit of the 2017 Kagyu Monlam France to bringing inner happiness and peace to our world. 

See full report https://www.kagyumeunlamfrance.org/

From August 19th to 21st 2016 the Karma Kagyu Community Germany held the 6th Kagyu Monlam Germany, organized under the guidance of Acharya Lama Sonam Ragbye and Acharya Lama Kelzang Wangdi in Kamalashila Institute®, which is the European Seat of His Holiness The XVII Karmapa. This year it was led by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, (the representative of His Holiness in Europe), During the weekend he also gave teachings on the Eight Verses on Mind Training by Geshe Langri Thangpa
According to the Karmapa's wish the Kagyu Monlam is an event for the entire Kagyu Sangha and all buddhists, no matter which organisation they belong to. In Buddhism it is assumed that the recitation of prayers in a group multiplies the effect of the prayers.

The Kagyu Monlam is one of the main activities of His Holiness The XVII. Karmapa.

In his message for the fourth Kagyu Monlam in Germany 2014 H.H. The Karmapa said:

“The primary condition for the Buddha to awaken to Buddhahood was his aspirational Bodhichitta of wishing that all sentient beings may become Buddhas – … Thus the state of Buddhahood has aspiration as its basis, and it is the result or potential of aspirations. For that reason I strongly believe that when we in our lives make great aspirations for all beings to have benefit and happiness, take on Bodhichitta, and engage in vast actions for that end, we ourselves can bring happiness and benefit to many beings, who are like Buddhas, and we can pull many beings out of the ocean of suffering. Thus I would like to ask you to take this Monlam as the cause of making as great aspirations and shouldering as much Bodhichitta as you can.”

Ordained Participants and Guests included:

1. Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
2. Resident Lamas and Director of Kamalashila Institute:
• Acharya lama Sonam Ragbye
• Acharya lama Kelzang Wangdi
3. Umdze Khenpo Chökyi from Karma Lekshe Ling, Kathmandu, Nepal
4. Choepon Lama Sangye from Pachen Choling Monastery, Sikkim, India
5. Lamas from Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling, Kathmandu, Nepal:
   • Khenpo Sonam Gyurme
   • Dorje Lopon Tsultrim Rabten
   • Lama Gelek
   • Umdze Gyurme
6. Khenpo Migmar from Karma Lekshe Ling, Kathmandu, Nepal
7. Resident lamas of Retreat centres and regional centres of HH 17th Karmapa:
   • Lama Kunga Dorje from Halscheid Centre
   • Lama Dorji from Kopenhagen Centre, Denmark
   • Lama Dawa from Hamburg Centre
   • Getsunma Ani Kelzang from Bremen
   • Getsunma Tändsin T. Karuna from Aachen
   • Lay Lamas: Dorothea Nett, Reinhard Türck, Yesche Udo Regel

German culture also contributed with performances by an Apen Horn ensemble and a church choir from Mayen singing songs celebrating peace, the beauty of nature and ending with a beautiful irish blessing for everyone there.

The Lamas then sang the Sweet Melody of Joyful Aspiration, composed by H. H. XVII Karmapa and accompanied by drums, conch shells and cymbals. This was followed by Lamas chanting the Meditation and Recitation of Chenrezig (the Great Compassionate One) for All-Pervading Benefit of All Beings.

Everyone held a candle and sang the Lamp Prayer (Marme Monlam), singing in Tibetan and German and accompanied by piano.

All in all, there were about 90 participants - members of the KKG board, honorable guests and volunteers included. After three days of chanted and recited prayers the Marme Mönlam, took place outside at the stupa despite the cold and windy weather. It was open to neighbours and interested visitors from the surrounding area. In total, we counted about 200-250 people during the Marme Mönlam.

Apart from our regular system of shared work regarding dishwashing and cafeteria-services in the house, a lot of participants gave us a helping hand to get the enormous amount of work done, e.g.

• Oral translation of the teachings
• shuttles to airports and railway stations for the invited Lamas and guests,
• special Lama service during the meals,
• musical performances,
• technical equipment and support, photos and recordings,
• arrangements of furniture, chairs etc. during the Monlam (especially the Marme Mönlam)
• shopping tours (e.g. for the Tsog Puja),
• medical care
• taking care of the guests

The organization and planning of the Mönlam, such as management, textual work (e.g. Lojong text, programmes and schedules), office work (e.g. registration), cleaning work, cooking, as well as the preparation of the Lhakhang and all other current work was done by the house staff and the resident Lamas.

Umdze Khenpo Chökyi, Choepon Lama Sangye and Choepon Phurpa Tsering from Pachen Choling Monastery in Sikkim, India arrived at Kamalashila Institute some weeks in advance and stayed there in order to do the necessary preparations for the Mönlam, such as Torma making, renovation works in the Lhakhang, (shrine hall).

This Monlam was dedicated to the longevity of H. H. Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje and all Masters and also to bring peace throughout the world.

The 7th Kagyu Monlam in Poland was held in the Centre in Grabnik between the 9th and 11th of September 2016. Venerable Sangter Rinpoche was the main lama leading the event.

As before, about two months prior to the event, three experienced monks arrived from Nepal. They were appointed by the International Kagyu Mönlam Committee in Bodh Gaya. Two of them were chöpöns, who create elaborated tormas and a special shrine, while the third monk was umdze, the chant leader. The monks appointed to lead Kagyu Mönlam are not randomly selected, but chosen from an exclusively educated group of lamas representing different Kagyu monasteries in India and Nepal.

Many lamas from Benchen Monastery in Nepal, headed by Khenpo Sönam Gyurme and Dorje Lobpön, as well as Polish lamas who - guided by Benchen Rinpoches and Lamas - completed the three-year retreat in drubkhang or individually, also joined the prayers. Apart from the lamas who completed the first three-year retreat in Benchen Drubde Ösal Ling in Grabnik, there were eight new lamas who finished the second three-year retreat in drubkhang just one day before the Kagyu Mönlam started.

Each day of the Kagyu Mönlam began with taking sojong vows and chanting the morning prayers.

The ceremonial procession with the portrait of His Holiness the Karmapa took place on the first day. Afterwards, Sangter Rinpoche with other lamas offered to Karmapa's throne the Mandala of the Universe and the symbols of the Awakened Body, Speech, Mind, Qualities and Activities.

Following that, Rinpoche gave the introductory speech discussing the immense benefits of Kagyu Mönlam and the merit accumulated by its participants despite all the hardships, sacrifices and possible discomfort connected with attending the event. He also requested our community to live in unity and harmony. What would be the meaning of praying for world peace, if you would fight among yourselves, Rinpoche asked.

During the morning session on the 2nd day, Sangter Rinpoche bestowed the White Tara empowerment. On the third day, following the Offering Ceremony to the Gurus, which included tsok feast, auspicious substances, attributes and auspicious symbols were offered, brining the blessing of increasing all positive qualities, circumstances and prosperity. Those who particularly support the Centre were chosen to represent all the participants and were directly touched by printed images representing auspiciousness.

As usually, the third day was concluded by offering burning candles. Following the beautiful Marme Mönlam prayer, all of the participants circumambulated Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche's stupa chanting KARMAPA KHYENNO and placing the lamps on the steps of the stupa.

This year's Mönlam ceremony took place in a very warm and intimate atmosphere.

To see the pictures, please go to the Gallery. See also video below.

Date: August 28 to 31, 2014
Venue: Kamalashila Institute, Germany.
Presiding Master: Dikung Gyalse Rinpoche( Bötrulku Rinpoche)
Organizer: Kamalashila Institute
Address: Kamalashila Institute, Kirchstr. 22a,
                  D-567 29 Langenfeld, Germany.
Telephone: 0049 2655 939040
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Website: www.kamalashila.de 
Contact Person: President Horst Rauprich