38th Kagyu Monlam Chenmo
January 14–25, 2024
Bodhgaya
For many years, we have all hoped that Guru Vajradhara Chamgön Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche would be able to attend the Kagyu Monlam. Though he was invited several times, previously he was unable to come.
This year, following the wishes of the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, a delegation including Lama Karma Choedrak, the executive director of the Monlam; Choeje Lama Phuntsok; and Gyaltsen Sonam, the administrator of the Tsurphu Ladrang, among others, visited Guru Vajradhara specifically to request him to preside over the Monlam. Guru Vajradhara accepted the invitation and moreover requested that during the 38th Monlam we should recite the King of Aspirations one million times, recite the Vajra Samaya mantra 100 million times, light at least 100,000 butter lamps, and read the Kangyur.
The Gyalwang Karmapa has indicated that we should fulfill all of Guru Vajradhara’s wishes, and preparations to do so are underway.
The 38th Kagyu Monlam will be held over eleven days from January 14 to 25, 2024, in Bodhgaya. In particular, the first three days will feature a teaching by Chamgön Tai Situ Rinpoche on Maitreya’s Aspiration, a Maitreya Empowerment, and a Red Crown Ceremony.