The airport is crammed full of people, in every direction there is color and dancing, screams of joy and laughter, cries of devotion and people gathered from all over the world, excited, gleaming and gloriously joyful faces - there is a sense of unsurpassable joy in the air - for the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa has arrived in Ladakh! All along the road from the airport to the monastery crowds are gathered, so much so that the 100 plus car motorcade can only inch along at a snail’s pace for the entirety of the journey.
The usual 10 minute drive becomes an hour long circus of adventure and intensity, pulling all my focus and stamina as once again I find myself on the roof of trucks, hopping on and off motorcycles, careening through crowds as I try and stay in the middle of it all. I am dumbfounded to even try and explain what I saw today - such amazing devotion for His Holiness, from every face in the moving ebbing crowd, huge smiles and cheers, many of them singing with proud and rejoicing loud and united voices. Locals and foreigners, lamas and lay alike, all bowing their heads deeply as His Holiness’s car passes by, eager for just a look or glimpse of him, every road crossing and junction teeming with villagers and onlookers, cars and busses exploding full, riding on rooftops and running alongside the cars, everyone is on cloud nine and for good reason. This visit marks such a huge turning point for all of us, with Karmapa’s arrival here for a lengthy and packed program, and to inaugurate the newly completed gompa here at Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery the final stage is complete and the celebrations have truly begun. Such incredible color and life, such passion and devotion, as Karmapa himself stood steadfast and unclenching, passing through the throngs of people completely unabated and calm, totally surrounded by the mass horde of devotees who couldn’t help but push and shove tirelessly for a chance to be near him - and yet he was, as always, compassionately offering his blessings and his unwavering kindness, grace and buddha-like presence to everyone in all directions regardless of how much we all lost our minds in the moment. I am always beyond impressed to see this, this true Buddha compassion in action, as I am also helplessly and completely caught up in the action, the energy, the mayhem and confusion, as things go completely crazy, as we are all swarmed with people and emotion - he is always so steadfast and alert, with a serene and peaceful look on his face that shows the real difference between one who is trying to practice the dharma, and one whose life and spirit truly embody it wholeheartedly from the root, our dearest Lama that walks the walk, and shows us the way to our true buddha nature.
Arriving to the monastery the crowds have only grown in numbers, now even passing into the Gompa for the welcoming ceremony is quite a challenge to maneuver through everyone. Once inside there is scarcely enough room for the invited lamas to sit as the crowds are forced to pour outside, peering in through the windows, all eager to see what is happening. The traditional ceremony starts with the offerings by our beloved Chime Rinpoche, an incredibly young Rinpoche who never ceases to amaze me with his elder, respectful and amazingly mature way about him. I get the feeling that inside this wondrous little monk is such a powerful, knowledgeable and gracious spirit that has already begun to bloom regardless of his young age. This monastery is his, the honor of inviting Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje here is also his, and what a great honor it must be - to host the Karmapa here for this wondrous occasion and the bringing together of all our Dharma family from all over the world. So many of our beloved Lamas have arrived for this event, it is no wonder that on every face I see, regardless of where we come from, or how far we have ventured to be here, on every face there is that same look - a look of pure, great unsurpassable joy. With truck loads of monks singing at the top of their lungs, Ki Ki So So La Gyelo - the air is thick with pure happiness and joy here, with a glorious mountainous backdrop. Traditional Tibetan dancers covered in colorful brocade and flowers everywhere, dancing and singing in the morning sunlight - we are all here together and the day couldn’t have been more bright and wondrous as the welcoming of our lineage holder and highest lama is the greatest honor we could possibly have. Karmapa is here, karmapa is here, the people of Ladakh and the world over should join together and rejoice as one, for the Karmapa has arrived in Ladakh
Ki Ki So So La Gyelo!
The usual 10 minute drive becomes an hour long circus of adventure and intensity, pulling all my focus and stamina as once again I find myself on the roof of trucks, hopping on and off motorcycles, careening through crowds as I try and stay in the middle of it all. I am dumbfounded to even try and explain what I saw today - such amazing devotion for His Holiness, from every face in the moving ebbing crowd, huge smiles and cheers, many of them singing with proud and rejoicing loud and united voices. Locals and foreigners, lamas and lay alike, all bowing their heads deeply as His Holiness’s car passes by, eager for just a look or glimpse of him, every road crossing and junction teeming with villagers and onlookers, cars and busses exploding full, riding on rooftops and running alongside the cars, everyone is on cloud nine and for good reason. This visit marks such a huge turning point for all of us, with Karmapa’s arrival here for a lengthy and packed program, and to inaugurate the newly completed gompa here at Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery the final stage is complete and the celebrations have truly begun. Such incredible color and life, such passion and devotion, as Karmapa himself stood steadfast and unclenching, passing through the throngs of people completely unabated and calm, totally surrounded by the mass horde of devotees who couldn’t help but push and shove tirelessly for a chance to be near him - and yet he was, as always, compassionately offering his blessings and his unwavering kindness, grace and buddha-like presence to everyone in all directions regardless of how much we all lost our minds in the moment. I am always beyond impressed to see this, this true Buddha compassion in action, as I am also helplessly and completely caught up in the action, the energy, the mayhem and confusion, as things go completely crazy, as we are all swarmed with people and emotion - he is always so steadfast and alert, with a serene and peaceful look on his face that shows the real difference between one who is trying to practice the dharma, and one whose life and spirit truly embody it wholeheartedly from the root, our dearest Lama that walks the walk, and shows us the way to our true buddha nature.
Arriving to the monastery the crowds have only grown in numbers, now even passing into the Gompa for the welcoming ceremony is quite a challenge to maneuver through everyone. Once inside there is scarcely enough room for the invited lamas to sit as the crowds are forced to pour outside, peering in through the windows, all eager to see what is happening. The traditional ceremony starts with the offerings by our beloved Chime Rinpoche, an incredibly young Rinpoche who never ceases to amaze me with his elder, respectful and amazingly mature way about him. I get the feeling that inside this wondrous little monk is such a powerful, knowledgeable and gracious spirit that has already begun to bloom regardless of his young age. This monastery is his, the honor of inviting Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje here is also his, and what a great honor it must be - to host the Karmapa here for this wondrous occasion and the bringing together of all our Dharma family from all over the world. So many of our beloved Lamas have arrived for this event, it is no wonder that on every face I see, regardless of where we come from, or how far we have ventured to be here, on every face there is that same look - a look of pure, great unsurpassable joy. With truck loads of monks singing at the top of their lungs, Ki Ki So So La Gyelo - the air is thick with pure happiness and joy here, with a glorious mountainous backdrop. Traditional Tibetan dancers covered in colorful brocade and flowers everywhere, dancing and singing in the morning sunlight - we are all here together and the day couldn’t have been more bright and wondrous as the welcoming of our lineage holder and highest lama is the greatest honor we could possibly have. Karmapa is here, karmapa is here, the people of Ladakh and the world over should join together and rejoice as one, for the Karmapa has arrived in Ladakh
Ki Ki So So La Gyelo!
