Medical Camp Kagyu Monlam Bodhgaya 2011

 

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The Kagyu Mönlam 2011 took place between December 14 and 20, with approximately 11,000 devotees in attendance. Many Rinpoches and high lamas graced the event with their presence, led by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche – second-ranking lama in the Karma Kagyu lineage – His Eminence Jamgön Kongtrul Rinpoche, His Eminence Beru Khyentse Rinpoche, and many others.

  • Shamarpa and Karmapa open the MonlamShamarpa and Karmapa open the MonlamShamarpa and Karmapa open the Monlam

 

For the fourth time this year, the KHCP - Karmapa´s Healthcare Project provided free medical checkups and healthcare for participants in the Mönlam as well as the local population.
When the project started its first healthcare camp in Bodhgaya four years ago there were just nine volunteers from Europe who dedicated their time and energy to looking after those in need of medical advice and treatment. Sometimes it was just a matter of teaching the patients some basic principles of hygiene, at other times people had to be referred to hospital for treatment of more serious ailments.
This year, the KHCP's staff consisted of a total of forty-four people, all of them voluntary helpers: general practitioners, dermatologists, dentists, physiotherapists, Tibetan amchi, acupuncturists, nurses, a TV team, assistants, organisers and helpers from a total of nine countries. Over 3,500 patients were treated during the Mönlam.
While Buddhists are sometimes accused of being exclusively concerned with their own spiritual development and not being interested in social activities, this is actually not the case. In Mahayana Buddhism the bodhisattva-in-training puts into action his commitment to benefit all sentient beings by developing the “six paramitas” (transcendental virtues), the first of which is generosity.
The practice of giving to those in need is therefore regarded as part and parcel of the bodhisattva’s training. Moreover, the practitioner develops a great deal of respect and appreciation towards those who are the object of his generosity, in the understanding that we are all interconnected and that the practice of generosity is just as beneficial to the giver as to the recipient of whatever is offered.
Text by Rabjam Rikki Catty (private secretary of H.H.Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje)
source: www.facebook.com/17th.Karmapa
Photos and subtitle by Peter Cerveny, mandala photos by Anika Wagner

 

  • The KHCP has its medical station right here at the Bodhi TreeThe KHCP has its medical station right here at the Bodhi TreeThe KHCP has its medical station right here at the Bodhi Tree
Tent of the Mönlam committee
Monks, nuns and Western helpers collaborate at the information stall of the KHCP. Many of the donations in kind from Europe are distributed here directly. Thanks to all the companies for their support. Sorting and distributing donations in kind at the info stall
  • Sorting and distributing donations in kind at the info stallSorting and distributing donations in kind at the info stallSorting and distributing donations in kind at the info stall

 

Our service at the Bodhi tree

  • Our medical team is working on siteOur medical team is working on siteOur medical team is working on site
  • Plenty of dressingsPlenty of dressingsPlenty of dressings
  • Sonam Wangmo from Buthan helpsSonam Wangmo from Buthan helpsSonam Wangmo from Buthan helps

 

  • PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapyPhysiotherapy
  • Skin therapy disinfection of hundreds of headsSkin therapy – disinfection of hundreds of headsSkin therapy disinfection of hundreds of heads
  • Daniel and Anika shoot a KHCP filmDaniel and Anika shoot a KHCP filmDaniel and Anika shoot a KHCP film

 

Medical room in the Ningma-Gumpa

  • Three of the seven work placesThree of the seven work placesThree of the seven work places
  • Dentist Dr.Daniela and assistant Mike treat day and nightDentist Dr.Daniela and assistant Mike treat day and nightDentist Dr.Daniela and assistant Mike treat day and night
  • Anna and Sandra provide Tibetan MedicineAnna and Sandra provide Tibetan MedicineAnna and Sandra provide Tibetan Medicine

 

Beru Khyentse Rinpoche's monastery

  • 3000 people attended the Chenrezig initiation3000 people attended the Chenrezig initiation...3000 people attended the Chenrezig initiation
  • Gyalwa Karmapa Chenrezig initiation...with Gyalwa KarmapaGyalwa Karmapa Chenrezig initiation
  • Gyalwa Karmapa Chenrezig initiation...the KHCP-team is also thereGyalwa Karmapa Chenrezig initiation

 

Last day of the Mönlam at the Bodhi tree
The KHCP team offers mandala to Karmapa ...

 

  • Peter representing the KHCP managementPeter representing the KHCP management...Peter representing the KHCP management
  • Dermatologist Stephanie representing the doctorsDermatologist Stephanie representing the doctors...Dermatologist Stephanie representing the doctors
  • Daniel as KHCP-spokesmanDaniel as KHCP-spokesman...Daniel as KHCP-spokesman

 

  • Maren representing organisation and volunteeringMaren representing organisation and volunteering...Maren representing organisation and volunteering
  • and Dr. dent. Daniela representing indefatigable commitment...and Dr. dent. Daniela representing indefatigable commitmentand Dr. dent. Daniela representing indefatigable commitment
  • The KHCP medical team before meeting KarmapaThe KHCP medical team before meeting KarmapaThe KHCP medical team before meeting Karmapa

 

  • Karmapa receives an espresso machine from our ItaliansKarmapa receives an espresso machine from our ItaliansKarmapa receives an espresso machine from our Italians
  • Hiring a bus to go on a pilgrimage to the Mahakala CavesHiring a bus to go on a pilgrimage to the Mahakala CavesHiring a bus to go on a pilgrimage to the Mahakala Caves
  • Final dinner with all KHCP helpers from East and WestFinal dinner with all KHCP helpers from East and WestFinal dinner with all KHCP helpers from East and West

 

 

The next Mönlam medical camp will probably take place within Dec.10-20, 2012. See you soon!    

Any travel costs are paid privately. This also applies to all helpers.

All activities are carried out voluntarily and the full amount of donations is forwarded directly and personally to Karmapa’s monks, nuns and accordingly to KHCP projects in Asia.
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