More than seven hundred in attendance, daily teachings by Karmapa, two empowerments, amazing teachers, great food, plus seeing all the friends I haven’t seen in years, all under one roof.
Not to mention my movie “Kudung” was screened outside under the stars, which was so crazy full we could barely squeeze onto the steps. Epic, simply epic.
I would like to say right off that this was the best organized event in KIBI’s history. Everything was smooth, and even with the course over-pouring with people, it always felt relaxed and enjoyable. I have yet to see so many smiling faces, hugs and joyful energy in one place, it was simply electric fun. Karmapa came every afternoon, the morning sessions featured Lama Jampa Thaye, Khenpo Shenpen and Geshela Khenpo Lobsang. It was a pretty incredible lineup. Karmapa taught on chapter six of the Bodhicaryavatara, and as he has done in the past it was line by line, using both the Tibetan root text and two English translations. We were incredible lucky to be able to receive these teachings from His Holiness, in his signature style of unbelievable depth and profundity, with a heavy sprinkling of humor and hilarity to boot. He was so funny, making more than one reference to baking bread, Star Wars, and/or the Lord of The Rings, enough for him to break out in enormous belly laughter in every single session. He was beaming. From my seat in the back it certainly seems as though loves to be with his students, teaching from a book he personally loves and respects highly, having an exchange of ideas and questions at the end to make sure everyone really takes it to heart. It was quite incredible to watch, incredible to be there. Some of his answers were so simple, yet so profound, I had to sit down as they literally took my breath away. His explanations and colloquialisms are staggering, it just makes sense, in ways you couldn’t have come up with yourself if you had several kalpas to do so. Another time he was asked what super power he used that allowed him to look into our minds - he looked out at the audience with that grin of his, holding it just long enough for the entire audience to lose themselves in laughter and applause, then gently moving on to the next question. He is incredible, what else to say.
On the second to last day, we had a sneak peak screening of my new movie. Now I have been waiting for this for a very, very long time, so I had some initial expectations that were quite high if I am being honest. Those were shattered, for the actual event was much grander than I could ever have imagined. KIBI rented a huge LED screen and cinema speakers, and as night fell there was close to 700 people gathered on the steps, the pathways, and even spilling into the garden. Karmapa watched it with us as well, a special treat for me. I was asked to speak briefly before the show, but I cannot tell you what I said, I was so nervous and jittery that cannot remember for the life of me, not one word. I have always wished for my work to speak for me anyways. From the reaction I received from everyone there, it seemed like it was a roaring success. I got so many tearful embraces and thank you’s I was frankly overwhelmed. I personally can’t watch it without breaking into tears every single time, so I think I know where they are coming from, but this was pretty amazing. I have never felt such love as I did coming from everyone there. After those 100s of hours and years of work, seeing it finally up on the big screen, with a huge crowd, and a standing ovation at the end, it was just stunning for me. The reality of the whole thing really set in for me, and I am so grateful to KIB for helping this to become a reality, they really made the whole thing possible. (For those that have been asking, yes indeed the film will be available for everyone to see, should be very soon. There is a new Facebook page for the movie, all information will be shared there, so please take a look and follow if you’re interested. You can find it here Kudung: The Final Voyage Of Shamar Rinpoche )
And so, it is now over and I am left trying to organize all the impressions and memories in to a coherent report. I find it hard, there was just too much happening, so much to do, and so many friends I didn’t get a chance to say hi to all of them. There is a lot of photos I know, but I just couldn’t remove any more of them, it would take away from the grandeur and vastness of it all. It was just wonderful and I encourage you to check them all to get a real sense of what went on. After being at more than 10 of these courses, this was, again, the best one by far. I want to take a moment to thank all the people that made this course possible, because it was really a crowning achievement by all those involved. A big thank you to all the volunteers who worked constantly to make things run smoothly. To the flower team for making the Gompa gorgeous every single day. To the streaming team who made it all look easy, and allowed everyone in the world, no matter how far away, to feel connected. To the kitchen staff, who not only made great food, but were some of the hardest working and nicest people I have even met. Can you believe they started cooking at 4am to keep up with all of us? And lastly I would like to thank KIBI, and Lama Thapgha especially, for doing so much in making my movie premiere so wonderful. It was stupendous, more than I dreamed of, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
