Today in the grand monastery of Le Bost, a place well known for its tranquility, serenity and untouched beauty, the hall was positively overflowing with our Dharma family - they had come from all corners of the continent to be here, flooding in by the hundreds and packing the temple to well beyond its maximum capacity. Why did they all come - for a very special reason indeed, for today Karmapa gave the empowerment of Amitayus - a previously unscheduled and quite spontaneous public teaching that seems to have brought us all out of the woodwork to descend on Le Bost like a tidal wave.
Despite the rainy exterior, the inside was jam packed and surging with positive energy, standing room only, wall to wall brimming with smiling faces, not a single open space to step in, the hall echoing with so many languages at once it was hard to keep track. Our truly international Dharma family has come out in spades for this, it is undeniable how much energy and love there is in this room, from every corner of the globe they have come.
Karmapa was in incredible form, powerful and as present as ever. His gentle wit and good natured natural humor always getting the better of all of us, more than once we all burst into laughter as the room lit up with cheers. He was radiant. He was glowing. He was deeply concentrated. In his unique and most compassionate way, as he always is, making each and every person in the room feel like he is talking only to them. That he came only for them. That his only worry in the world, is them. Donning the black crown as the empowerment is performed, evoking his most powerful form, he is a true Dharma King. I am always taken back by the transformation that takes place as the crown comes up. This moment is deeply powerful every single time I see it, I simply cannot explain it. Seated here, in Le Bost, surrounded by one of the most majestic and beautiful halls I have ever seen, with well over 800 of us crammed together, such an environment one cannot easily find with an entire lifetime of searching. And rightfully so, as the whole world seems to have come over mountains and valleys to be here with us today. Our Dharma family united, coming from all across the globe to see our King.
For Dhagpo Kagyu Ling
