His Holiness, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje has said:
“The 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.”
We invite you to join us in the spread of genuine love and compassion with the offering of aspiration prayers made under the guidance and blessings of His Holiness, at the 2011 North American Kagyu Monlam scheduled to be held from June 22nd to June 26th at Thrangu Monastery, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. This is an auspicious and wonderful year in which to participate in this monlam, as it is the 900th anniversary of the birth of Dusum Khyenpa, the First Karmapa.
“What we are remembering and reflecting on with Karmapa 900 is the great kindness of Dusum Khyenpa, the First Karmapa. Not only did he show measureless kindness to beings: through his deeds in founding the Karmapa lineage and the great lineage of the Karma Kagyu, Dusum Khyenpa was the source of 900 years of kindness to beings.
Countless great beings have come and engaged in enlightened activities over the past nine centuries through this lineage. That was all possible only because Dusum Khyenpa came into the world. He was the actual seed for the vast tree of the Karma Kagyu, with its wide shade-giving branches and its blossoms and rich fruits.
“It is my personal duty and the duty of all followers of the Karma Kagyu to honor his deeds and his great compassion, courage and wisdom, by cultivating those same qualities ourselves. Karmapa 900 is designed to serve as a reminder, and as an opportunity to do so.”
- His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje
The monlam will commence with a celebration of this 900th anniversary and conclude with a birthday celebration for His Holiness on June 26. As part of this celebration, the most precious statue of Dusum Khyenpa reputed to have spoken on several occasions in the past, will be made available for viewing.
It is an honour and privilege for the Karma Kagyu Association of Canada (KKAC) and their sanghas to host this wondrous event under His Holiness's guidance. Although His Holiness will not be present in person at the Monlam, he will join us via satellite. We have supplicated His Holiness to address the Monlam from wherever he may be and are confident that his blessings and that of the entire lineage will rain upon the 2011 North American Kagyu Monlam.
Join us in person or on the web for the prayers, teachings and celebration!
From the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
Minister Jason Kenney, on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has sent a letter of greetings and support for the 2011 North American Kagyu Monlam. The entire text of the letter can be read at here (PDF). We are blessed to be hosting this Monlam here in Canada and invite all to participate in these prayers for world peace.
This is an especially auspicious Monlam as it is the only one occurring during the month of Saga Dawa commemorating the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of the Buddha as well as both the celebration of the 900 year anniversary of Dusum Khyenpa and the birthday of His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. It is said that the merit accumulated this month is multiplied a million times. - How fortunate for us to be able to benefit from this rare auspicious coincidence!