The monlam was blessed today with a message from His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, on the occasion of the 900 year anniversary of Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa. His Holiness' address is available in its entirety in Tibetan here. See below for translation.
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Translation:
On this occasion of the two programs of the 900th anniversary of the Karmapa and the Kagyu Monlam, which are being held together at Thangu Monastery Canada, I would like to extend my warm greetings to the guests who have come to the program as well as all the faithful and interested public.
Among the two parts of the program, the more important and special is the 900th Anniversary. The Karmapa 900 celebration is not just the celebration of a single individual; it is a way to learn about the origin of one branch of the four major Tibetan religious schools and the vast and profound beneficial influence it has had over the course of hundreds of years of Tibetan history and culture. The 900th Anniversary can bring you to recollect with gratitude the good deeds of our great worldly and Dharma predecessors from all traditions, especially the Tibetan. Even in this 21st century—an era of development and technology—we have not lost the essence of their instructions but continue them. I would like to ask you to think of creating a new human era with happiness and meaning, and to lead a good life.
There are now many Kagyu Monlams that are held all over the world. The main purpose of them is that all people of different religions, ethnicities, and countries are ultimately the same in wanting happiness and wishing to be free of suffering. Likewise, our world does not belong to humans alone; it belongs to all the sentient who live on this earth. This is why I think it important that, in order to make this world into a ream equally for all creatures, a place where all can live in peace and equality, we make aspirations out of a loving heart and conduct ourselves well. Thus I hope and have the aspiration that through this Kagyu Monlam all of you can have a good heart and practice good conduct according to the Dharma without mistake or confusion.
I am also very happy and encouraged that Thrangu Monastery has been completed and such a great Dharma event can be held there. It has turned out very well. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kyabje Thrangu Rinpoche first and foremost among the lamas of the Thrangu monasteries in Tibet and abroad, as well as the lamas from the Karma Kagyu association of Canada and the faithful sponsors and helpers. I would also like to once again wish Tashi Delek to all of you who have come today’s events and to the Kagyu Monlam. I pray that you all be healthy and that all you do go well.
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, June 22, 2011