From the 18th to 20th of July 2014 the 5th Kagyu Monlam Poland took place in the Centre in Grabnik. The head leading Lama was Venerable Sangter Tulku Rinpoche. Apart from Lamas who were invited to lead the prayers and prepare the shrine (Umdze Gyurme, Choyok Namgyal and Choyok Tsering), Lamas from the Benchen monastery in Kathmandu and our Polish Lamas, who finished the three-year retreat under the guidance of Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche in the retreat Centre Benchen Drubde Ösal Ling in Grabnik, also took part in the ceremony.
Not only guests from Poland arrived for those three days. We had visitors from befriended Czech sangha, from Holland, France and even from Malaysia and Singapore!
After taking sojong vows and reciting prayers in the morning, we started Kagyu Monlam traditionally, with the solemn procession with the image of His Holiness Karmapa. Sangter Rinpoche and Lamas offered the mandala of Universe and the symbols of enlightened body, speech, mind, qualities and activities to the Karmapa's throne. After that, we listened to the message to the Benchen community in Poland from His Eminence Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche - see video below:
Then, Lamas and monks offered mandala to Sangter Rinpoche and to the thrones of H.E. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche. After that we continued prayers.
On the second day, during the morning session, Sangter Rinpoche bestowed the Gampopa empowerment. On the third day, after 'A Ritual of Offerings to the Gurus' which included tsog, the offering of auspicious substances, attributes and symbols took place. All participants received the blessing so that all what is best, positive conditions and prosperity may increase. People who particularly support our Centre were touched with the pictures symbolizing that auspiciousness.
During the whole Kagyu Monlam we enjoyed hot, summer weather but on the last day, in the afternoon, a storm came and a real rain of blessing fell on us.
What distinguished this year Kagyu Monlam from those from previous years was the fact that it took place in our newly built temple, not in the tent. Building this temple was a great wish of Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche. Thanks to good wishes of our Gurus and extraordinary atmosphere in the temple, the ceremony of Monlam became even more sublime.
