25^th – Silver Jubilee, Great Kagyu Monlam – December 17-27, 2007 

International Kagyu Monlam is a festive prayer ceremony dedicated to increasing world peace and harmony.  It is held each year in Bodhgaya, India, a very sacred place, at the Great Stupa, under the Maha Bodhi Tree, by the Vajra Seat, where the Buddha attained enlightenment.  Monlam, which means aspiration in Tibetan, is held during the 8^th-15^th days of the 11^th month of the Tibetan calendar. The pageantry and traditions were established hundreds of years ago.  In 1983, Kyabje Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche re-established the tradition. Over 5000 Kagyu Sanghas are expected to participate in the prayer ceremony this year.  

Our centre will be sponsoring the Kagyu Monlam this year.  At Lama Tashi Dondup’s request, 3 days of Medicine Buddha mantra recitation will be included from December 25-27, 2007. H.H. the 17^th Karmapa will give the Medicine Buddha empowerment and continue with the teachings left unfinished from last year Monlam. 

H.H. the16^th Karmapa initiated the chanting of 100 million Medicine Buddha mantra in around 1977 - 1978 dedicated to the pacification of new life-threatening virus and illnesses which he foresaw would materialize in our degenerating era.  For many years, the sanghas at Rumtek and many other monasteries participated in this meaningful venture.  However, the goal was not achieved at the time of the parinavina of H.H. in 1981. 

Being inspired by H.H. the 16^th Karmapa, Lama Tashi Dondup has always wanted to

fulfill this unfinished project by completing the chanting of 100 million Medicine Buddha Mantra. 

It is the aspiration of Lama Tashi Dondup that with the collective efforts of all dharma practitioners world wide and the intensive 3 day Medicine Buddha Puja in Bodhgaya, the goal of 100 million mantra will be accomplished for the long life and good health of H.H . the 17^th Karmapa and all lineage masters, and that all sentient beings may be free from sufferings of illnesses.