900 Years of Karmapa Opening Ceremony

In Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha has walked the land, moving along his way to the Bodhi Tree and full awakening, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, has presided over the Kagyu Monlam since 2004 and given teachings to his disciples. This year he has built a vast stage for Dharma teachings and cultural performances. Above it are monumental arches covered with azure blue cloth, and in its middle is a golden canopy, floating like the sun in empty space. Aligned underneath is a statue of the Buddha, framed in a shell of radiant light, and then a statue of the first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, who is so life-like that many people think the Karmapa has come early and is meditating on his throne. Next, just after the circle of a brilliant sun cascades down the steps, is the Karmapa’s throne, surrounded by generous bouquets of flowers. Seen from the end of the pavilions that host thousands of guests, the perspective of the central aisle gives a brilliant and spacious image of the lineage, descending from the Buddha to the first Karmapa and coming down to the present 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.

Source: Kagyu Office 菩提迦耶,是佛陀曾一步步走過、而在菩提樹下,明心見性、開悟成道的地方。從2004年開始,噶瑪噶舉的第十七世大寶法王鄔金欽列多傑便在此地舉辦年度的噶舉祈願法會,為信徒講授佛法。今年更特地搭建了廣闊的大舞台以舉行盛大的傳法法會及文藝演出。

在舞台上方為一湛藍色布幔的巨大拱門、中間懸以黃金華蓋,如同慧日獨步虛空穹蒼;其下為一佛陀鍍金佛像,背幅燦爛佛光;再為第一世大寶法王杜松虔巴等身聖像,栩栩如生、逼真鮮活得令許多信眾誤以為是大寶法王已到場在法座上禪修。接著、在一層層圓形輻射的臺階之下、花團錦簇之中、便是大寶法王的法座了。

從容納的數千賓客信眾的大搭篷外望進去,遼闊的中央通道正正給了佛法傳承一個輝煌恢宏的視野:從佛陀以降、而至第一世大寶法王、再傳承到現今駐世的第十七世大寶法王鄔金欽列多傑。

資料來源: Kagyu Office