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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 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 Tree
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 stall
Our service at the Bodhi tree
Our medical team is working on site
Plenty of dressings
Sonam Wangmo from Buthan helps
Physiotherapy
Skin therapy – disinfection of hundreds of heads
Daniel and Anika shoot a KHCP film
Medical room in the Ningma-Gumpa
Three of the seven work places
Dentist Dr.Daniela and assistant Mike treat day and night
Anna and Sandra provide Tibetan Medicine
Beru Khyentse Rinpoche's monastery
3000 people attended the Chenrezig initiation...
...with Gyalwa Karmapa
...the KHCP-team is also there
Last day of the Mönlam at the Bodhi tree
The KHCP team offers mandala to Karmapa ...
Peter representing the KHCP management...
Dermatologist Stephanie representing the doctors...
Daniel as KHCP-spokesman...
Maren representing organisation and volunteering...
...and Dr. dent. Daniela representing indefatigable commitment
The KHCP medical team before meeting Karmapa
Karmapa receives an espresso machine from our Italians
Hiring a bus to go on a pilgrimage to the Mahakala Caves
Final 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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