The 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam at Kagyu Thubten Choling Monastery wouldn’t begin to be possible without Lama Norlha Rinpoche’s extraordinary vision and sustained effort over many years, from the purchase of the land and incorporation of KTC in … Read More
I was going to write today that being at the 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam is very much like my concept of Dewachen, the pure land of Amitabha in which we aspire to be reborn as soon as we die, a … Read More
On Sunday evening, at the close of the final day of the 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam, we will chant the Marme Monlam (Butterlamp Aspiration Prayer). It is the custom for each participant to hold a lotus light aloft as the monlam is … Read More
Today the prayers continued (more on those another day), and the Monlam was featured on page 1 of the Poughkeepsie Journal. There has been a lot of local press interest–this is a big event for Wappingers Falls, and visitors are invariably … Read More
Wednesday, July 6, 2016 Nothing prepares you for the sheer impact of walking into the Maitreya Center for the first time and seeing the 34-foot Maitreya statue that dominates the main prayer hall. No matter how many photos you’ve seen–it’s much … Read More
For the first time in the history of the North American Kagyu Monlam, Tibetan chöpöns—masters of the art and knowledge of preparing and presenting offerings for ritual ceremonies— have come in advance to prepare the elaborate flour and butter sculpture … Read More
At the 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam, Kagyu Thubten Chöling will observe the special tradition of offering chambu after the noon meal each day. The chambu offering with its accompanying chanted verses was transmitted by Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche, and … Read More
Due to conflicts between the Metro North Hudson Line train schedule and the 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam schedule we will be unable to provide morning shuttle service between the New Hamburg train station and Kagyu Thubten Chöling. On weekdays, … Read More
The Kagyu Monlam was originally instituted in the 15th century by the Seventh Gyalwang Karmapa, Chödrak Gyatso, as a gathering for followers of the Kagyu lineage. Beginning with Kyabje Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche, who re-established the Monlam at Bodhgaya in … Read More
Practitioners from across the world will join voices at the 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam in July at Kagyu Thubten Chöling Monastery to pray for all beings everywhere to enjoy peace, harmony, and freedom from suffering. We’ve received registrations from … Read More
Many Buddhists are familiar with prayers to be reborn in the western Pure Land of Bliss (known Sanskrit as Sukhavati, in Tibetan as Dewachen, and in Chinese Jílè, Ānlè, or Xītiān) where Amitabha, the Wisdom Buddha of Limitless Light, teaches … Read More
Each morning of the Kagyu Monlam, after the Sojong vows and Sanskrit prayers, the assembly will chant the Twenty-Branch Monlam. This sequence of profound aspiration prayers has been chanted for more than five hundred years, since the Seventh Karmapa, Chödrak … Read More
We are pleased to announced that registration is now open to those only able to participate in the final weekend of this year’s North American Kagyu Monlam. Participants now have the option to register for Friday, July 8 – Sunday, … Read More
The North American Kagyu Monlam draws practitioners from many different Buddhist traditions, lineages, nationalities—and also non-Buddhist faiths. During the Monlam, most of the daily prayers will be recited in Tibetan, while others will be also chanted in English, Chinese, and … Read More
It’s a bit astonishing, in fact, to discover how shy the mind becomes when you offer to make friends with it. Thoughts and feelings that seemed so powerful and solid vanish almost as soon as they appear, like puffs of … Read More
The Maitreya Buddha statue adorns the main hall of the Maitreya Center, the site of the upcoming 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam. The throne upon which the Maitreya Buddha statue is seated is backed by an arched frame sculpted with … Read More
The ritual offering of the Ku Sung Tuk is made to the presiding lama of the Kagyu Monlam, who this year will be Venerable Mingyur Rinpoche. Ku Sung Tuk is Tibetan for enlightened body, speech, and mind. They are symbolized … Read More
The Tibetan word for meditation is gom, which, roughly translated, means “to become familiar with.” Going by this definition, meditation in the Buddhist tradition may perhaps best be understood as a process of getting to know your mind. It’s actually … Read More
Making offerings to ordained sangha and lamas is an Eastern tradition that has not yet fully taken root in the West. By making monetary offerings or sponsoring chanting, meals, or tea, we generate vast merit and accumulate positive karma. But … Read More
On Sunday, July 10, the final day of the 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche will graciously bestow the White Tara empowerment. White Tara is said to have emerged from the tears of Chenrezig as he beheld the … Read More
We are all very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in this year’s North American Kagyu Monlam. Each person that can attend this sacred event will add to the overall power and benefit of the prayers. Listen to this … Read More
We are pleased to announce that Lama Karma Chodrak, the executive director of the International Kagyu Monlam, and Lama Norlha Rinpoche’s cousin, will be attending the North American Kagyu Monlam in July. Lama Karma Chodrak was born in 1954 in … Read More
During the 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam at KTC Monastery, world-renowned meditation master Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche will offer extraordinary teachings on “How to Integrate Aspiration and Prayer with Meditation.” The Tibetan word monlam means “aspiration” or “aspiration prayer.” Making aspiration … Read More
Registration for the 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam is now open! This remarkable 5-day “Great Prayer Festival” is a time to pray for world peace. It is being held under the guidance of Lama Norlha Rinpoche, with blessings from His … Read More
We are happy to announce that Kagyu Thubten Choling Monastery will host the 2016 North American Kagyu Monlam Prayer Festival July 6 – 10. The Ven. Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche presiding over the prayers, and bestow teachings and empowerment.