In the early morning mist and haze, as the sun was just starting to break through the clouds and cover of night, we all gathered in the courtyard for a very special occasion - on this auspicious of days the ceremony of Tharchen, the raising of the flag - and the gaining of luck, fortune and victory. Tharchen is the ceremony of calling on all the deities, all the dewas, all the protectors, and all who are gathered here, it is said to help promote good fortune and luck, and is a crucial and extremely vital moment for the monastery here in Ladakh as this signifies the beginning of the future for Karma Dupgyud Choeling.
In ancient times the size of the flag denoted the size and importance of a monastery and its holdings, the larger the flag the larger and essentially more prosperous the monastery was to be. For the crowning and opening here, this colossus flag pole, being held in place by almost a dozen strong men, was put into its final resting place and readied for the moment when it will be finally unveiled and opened completely with the special presence and blessing of His Holiness later on. Presided over by Chime Rinpoche and Lama Tsultrim Topden Rinpoche, a sang fire and smoke puja was performed, covering the courtyard in purifying smoke, chanting resounded clearly as the crowds of monks performed the puja and rituals in one strong united voice. Surrounding the pole in a huge circle they chanted together, inviting the dewas to join us in our call for coming together in this special occasion. At the end of the puja, every monk and lama with a handful of tsampa in hand, began an ever mounting chant as the intensity grew and grew, swinging their arms in the air, calling out, up and down again, ever louder and growing in volume as it carried on in climbing anticipation. Though it was very early, though the land of Ladakh was still sleepy and had yet to completely awaken for the day, the deep throng of the puja and collective voices echoed like powerful thunder in the empty clean silence of the morning. Finally, as the energy was about to burst they all cried out a shout of victory together and the tsampa was offered to the wind as they all let it all fly in one magical moment. A great shout of victory ringing out in the air - as the flag is now standing tall, a shout of victory for the monastery and all the work and preparations that have been so dutifully carried out, a grand shout of victory for Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery and for the pending arrival of Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje. A crowning moment, for it is said that those present for this ceremony also receive the blessing of luck, fortune and victory - a special gift brought from this place in the early morning calm and tranquil environment with tall mountains in all directions. Now the flag stands tall, reaching to the sky, like a great beacon to the stars, inviting all the good fortune and luck towards this very special of places.
Meanwhile - as the sun began to set casting golden hues on us all - a torrey gate has begun to be built outside, crafted for when the streets will be lined with onlookers and devotees, as the motorcade will pass by, a great crowning achievement and exciting truth for all - to welcome His Holiness to Ladakh for the very first time.
In ancient times the size of the flag denoted the size and importance of a monastery and its holdings, the larger the flag the larger and essentially more prosperous the monastery was to be. For the crowning and opening here, this colossus flag pole, being held in place by almost a dozen strong men, was put into its final resting place and readied for the moment when it will be finally unveiled and opened completely with the special presence and blessing of His Holiness later on. Presided over by Chime Rinpoche and Lama Tsultrim Topden Rinpoche, a sang fire and smoke puja was performed, covering the courtyard in purifying smoke, chanting resounded clearly as the crowds of monks performed the puja and rituals in one strong united voice. Surrounding the pole in a huge circle they chanted together, inviting the dewas to join us in our call for coming together in this special occasion. At the end of the puja, every monk and lama with a handful of tsampa in hand, began an ever mounting chant as the intensity grew and grew, swinging their arms in the air, calling out, up and down again, ever louder and growing in volume as it carried on in climbing anticipation. Though it was very early, though the land of Ladakh was still sleepy and had yet to completely awaken for the day, the deep throng of the puja and collective voices echoed like powerful thunder in the empty clean silence of the morning. Finally, as the energy was about to burst they all cried out a shout of victory together and the tsampa was offered to the wind as they all let it all fly in one magical moment. A great shout of victory ringing out in the air - as the flag is now standing tall, a shout of victory for the monastery and all the work and preparations that have been so dutifully carried out, a grand shout of victory for Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery and for the pending arrival of Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje. A crowning moment, for it is said that those present for this ceremony also receive the blessing of luck, fortune and victory - a special gift brought from this place in the early morning calm and tranquil environment with tall mountains in all directions. Now the flag stands tall, reaching to the sky, like a great beacon to the stars, inviting all the good fortune and luck towards this very special of places.
Meanwhile - as the sun began to set casting golden hues on us all - a torrey gate has begun to be built outside, crafted for when the streets will be lined with onlookers and devotees, as the motorcade will pass by, a great crowning achievement and exciting truth for all - to welcome His Holiness to Ladakh for the very first time.
