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•   July 13th-17th, 2010, First North American Kagyu Monlam

Under the auspices of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the Kagyu Monlam will be hosted at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra in Woodstock, New York, USA,  the Karmapa's North American seat.

It is co-sponsored by Karma Triyana Dharmachkra,
Kagyu Thubten Choling (KTC-Wappingers Falls, NY) and 
Karma Thegsum Choling, New Jersey (KTC-NJ)
 
This is the first North American Kagyu monlam, and it takes place 40 years after the first Kagyu teachers came to America. 

A monlam is an extensive prayer assembly and teaching event for all members of a Buddhist denomination, ordained or not.  This tradition was established in 15th-century Tibet as an assembly to venerate the miracles of Shakyamuni Buddha, and the Kagyu Monlam has drawn inspiration from the collected aspirations of the Kagyu lineage.

The Very Venerable 9th Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche will preside, with assistance from Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche,  Ven. Lama Norlha Rinpoche and Lama Tsultrim.

This huge event is an extension of the annual Kagyu Monlam Chenmo that has taken place for the past 27 years in Bodhgaya, India, at the place of the Enlightenment of the Buddha.  It was instituted there by Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche and the late Bokar Rinpoche.  Since 2004, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, has assumed responsibility for revitalizing this tradition, and the program for the North American Kagyu Monlam is also being developed by him.

The Place and the Purpose
The location of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra is considered by Native American elders to be sacred.  It has been blessed by His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, and many other spiritual masters.

“If a Kagyu Monlam can be convened at this location – a special place endowed with such unique blessings – I think it will serve to promote peace locally and throughout the world and bring tremendous benefit for sentient beings.” — Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, Abbot of KTD

The purpose of the Kagyu Monlam is to gather all practitioners for the purpose of creating universal aspirations of goodwill and harmony: 

“Kagyu Monlam is an avenue whereby we can spread, at times of great need, the genuine spirit of love and compassion to all the people of the world, like a great ripple, first in Bodhgaya, then in Bihar, and so on.  As we continuously offer these prayers for world peace, it is our intention and our wish that peace and happiness extend to all.” ~  His Holiness Karmapa

During Monlam, practitioners come together as one community to concentrate pure intentions and virtuous activities into one mandala that encompasses all space and sentient beings.

 

“The Kagyu Monlam has been held in countries around the world, allowing practitioners to come together as a sangha and join voices and intention in unified aspiration. His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje has now given his blessing for the first Kagyu Monlam in North America. Together we will pray for the balance of the four elements during these difficult times, for world peace, and for the happiness of all beings. Our aspirations become the ground of our future experience. This is a rare and precious opportunity to magnify the power of our pure intentions.” ~ Lama Norlha Rinpoche, Abbot of Kagyu Thubten Choling Monastery  and Retreat Center

“The purpose of Kagyu Monlam is to perform aspiration prayers to remove obstacles and promote well-being for all sentient beings. I rejoice in the vast merit accumulated by those who will participate in this event.” – Lama Tsewang Rinpoche, Founder, Da-Nang Benevolence Association

“I am very happy that rinpoches, lamas, and dharma practitioners will gather together to pray for world peace and for the well-being of all sentient beings, and I hope that this is the start of a long tradition in this part of the world,” – Lama Tsultrim, resident lama of KTC, NJ

July 13-17th affords a special opportunity to celebrate beneficent and peaceful aspirations for our planet.

~ edited extensively from www.kagyu.org/monlam where you can read the full text, including the schedule of teachings and events and also get registration information.  You will also be able soon to pre-register; those who do will get priority admission if the event sells out.

If you do not have internet access, you can register by phoning the KTD front office at 845- 679-5906 x10. 

Tibetan Restaurants in Montreal

OM Restaurant Gelek (Gerard) Achod's serves very delicious Tibetan & North Indian cuisine, 4382 St-Laurent (west side betw. Mont-Royal & Marie-Anne, north of Club Balatou) Tel.  514-287-3553.

Shambhala at 3439 St-Denis and Pine has a sophisticated setting.  The cuisine includes fried dumplings, veg. & non-veg.  Call for pm. hours. Tel. 514-842-2242.

Chez Gyatse 317 Ontario E., 2 blocks west of St-Denis, student hangout w. terrasse Tel. 514-844-6461. 

Tibetan store La Maison du Tibet is at 129 Duluth E.  x  Hotel-de Ville, with Cafe Momo right next door.  Limited menu, reasonably priced, friendly.

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