(December
9, Bodhgaya) - As thousands gathered before daybreak for Karmapa 900,
the image of Buddha Shakyamuni was already basking in golden light
beneath the painted sun on the Karmapa 900 stage. From dawn to
dusk, this second day of the commemoration was devoted to the
protection of the Karma Kagyu teachings received from Dusum Khyenpa,
whose 900th birth anniversary will be celebrated throughout the
upcoming year. With 108 smoke offerings in the morning and
100,000 offerings to Mahakala in the afternoon and evening, the day of
practice was centered on Mahakala, whose history as Dharma protector of
the Karma Kagyu is nearly as long as the lineage itself.
Morning Smoke Offering Ceremony
In the darkness of the pre-dawn hours, the crowd repeatedly rose to its
feet respectfully, as the Karma Kagyu’s seniormost lamas entered and
took their seats one after another: His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, His Eminence Jamgön Kongtrul Rinpoche, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche, Bakyoe Rinpoche, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche,
Khenpo Lodrö Dönyö Rinpoche, the young Drupön Dechen Rinpoche and many,
many others. His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa himself then
took the stage, and donned his black Action Crown with great dignity.
As it had on day one, the “speaking statue” of Dusum Khyenpa arrived
escorted by a spectacular ceremonial procession. As the statue neared
the front of the grounds, three masked figures entered the stage,
representing three major Dharma protectors—Mahakala, Mahakali, and
Vajrsattva. After dancing a joyful dance of welcome, the three
protectors offered khatas to the precious image of Dusum Khyenpa, to
show their respect and to welcome it.
The Gyalwang Karmapa offered some comments for the occasion. Noting the
long association of Six-Armed Mahakala with the Karma Kagyu lineage as
its particular protector, His Holiness explained that the offering
ceremony was being held as an expression of gratitude to the Dharma
protectors, principally Mahakala, for their service in ensuring that
the lineage could flourish over the past nine centuries.
However, simply relying on Dharma protectors to ensure the longevity of
the lineage was clearly not sufficient, His Holiness said. Referring to
comments that Samdhong Rinpoche, Prime Minister of the Tibetan
government-in-exile, had made during his speech as chief guest of
Karmapa 900 the previous day, the Gyalwang Karmapa stated that harmony
among the sangha was an essential condition for the protection of the
Dharma. The need to maintain pure samaya with one’s lama is also exceedingly important, His Holiness continued.
The Gyalwang Karmapa further reminded the audience that we have all
been born in an era when the Dharma has greatly declined and is well
advanced in its slide towards extinction. As such, the Gyalwang Karmapa
said, we should feel ourselves to be extremely fortunate to have met
the Buddhadharma, and in particular the teachings of the Kagyu lineage.
Yet we must not allow ourselves to simply rest contented, but must make
active efforts to ensure that the teachings of the practice lineage
remain available long into the future, His Holiness said.
The remainder of the morning session was taken up with the offering
practice itself. By noon, 108 clouds of incense smoke had been offered
from 108 incense furnaces (sang khang in
Tibetan) specially constructed around the stage area. The morning sky
filled with fragrant smoke, as the most aromatic substances harvested
in Lachen in northern Sikkim were burnt as thankful offerings to the
Karma Kagyu protectors.
Gazing up into the exceptionally blue and beautifully cloud-specked sky
above, many observers commented that the sky itself looked remarkably
like the sky in Tibet.
Mahakala Practice
During the afternoon, accompanied by many lineage lamas, monks, nuns
and lay yogis and yoginis, His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa performed
Mahakala practice at a sacred site associated with Mahakala half an
hour’s drive from Bodhgaya. Many centuries earlier, Six-Armed Mahakala
had appeared to the Indian mahasiddha Shawaripa as he practiced in a
cave set in the mountain above. As such, Mahakala practice is
greatly enhanced by being performed on such a spot consecrated by the
deity himself.
Meanwhile, back on the Karmapa 900 stage in Bodhgaya, His Eminence
Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche was leading thousands of monks and nuns in an
extensive 100,000 Offerings
practice to Mahakala. The altar was adorned with a full set of metal
armor, forged according to the traditional design, and offered to the
protector.
Grand Conclusion
The day concluded with the Gyalwang Karmapa and other lineage
lamas re-joining Gyaltsab Rinpoche on the Karmapa 900 stage to complete
the 100,000 Offering practice. When the ritual was complete, His Holiness shared some final thoughts with those assembled.
His Holiness observed that the elaborate celebration had taken a
tremendous deal of work. It was one thing to work hard to make an event
a success, but it was quite another, he said, to exert oneself in one’s
tasks in a way consistent with the Dharma. The Gyalwang Karmapa
observed that Karmapa 900 had virtually moved in and turned Tergar
Monastery upside down, and extended his heartfelt thanks to Yongey
Mingyur Rinpoche and to Tergar Monastery itself for their generous
support and tolerance.
The purpose in holding such an event commemorating Dusum Khyenpa’s
900th birth anniversary is to recollect the kindness of the lama, His
Holiness explained. In the past, there had been little need for such
commemorations within the Karma Kagyu lineage, the Gyalwang Karmapa
said, because the strong emphasis on practice had ensured that we
always kept our lamas in our hearts or on the crown of our heads, and
practiced according to their instructions. But in the 21st century, the
Karma Kagyu has moved far from its mountain seats and hermitages, and
has taken up residences in bustling towns and cities full of
distraction, he noted. Karma Kagyu practitioners thus need to be
reminded of the deeds and the great qualities of the past masters.
Indeed, in order to enhance the devotion that is so
fundamental to the practice lineage, it is essential that we understand
the reasons why our past masters are valid objects of veneration,
respect and devotion, His Holiness stressed. Karmapa 900 is aimed at
creating an opportunity for us to learn more of their great deeds and
at inspiring us to develop their great qualities within ourselves.
Yet this Karmapa 900 celebration is just a beginning, His Holiness
said. There is the possibility for it to become a first step towards
again establishing a firm base for the Karma Kagyu and to spread it
just as Dusum Khyenpa had done.
As the sun was setting, His Holiness finished his final comments, the
opening ceremony came to a successful conclusion and the crowd
dispersed, hearts overflowing with a sense of hope and great, great
joy.
With that, the two days Karmapa 900 events were over. Yet as the
Gyalwang Karmapa noted, the year of celebration has just begun—and,
under His Holiness’ guidance, a whole new era worth celebrating seems
poised to begin as well.
