The final flowers have been thrown and both the ground and our hearts are covered in beautiful color, sweet fragrance and crystal clear memories.
I cannot explain what it has meant to me to share all this with you these past days - an honor wouldn’t be a fitting word for something one tenth this special, this deeply emotional, this adventurous and this blessedly unique. While many a Monlams have passed before, this one was really special bringing us great privilege to see many historic events unfurl before our very eyes. The first Guru Rinpoche Lama Dance performed in decades, one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing things to photograph I have ever had the pleasure to partake in - check. The astonishing Red Activity Crown ceremony performed by Karmapa, this incredible honor and gift of respect to Jamgon Rinpoche was so amazing I am still reeling from the vibes days later - also check. Lama Ole was with us for Monlam, bringing his wonderfully spirited style, charisma and warmth to our days here. Not to mention the extra rowdy and awesomely adventurous students that came with him, always brightening the day with their excitement, laughter, witty energy and inspirational devotion. Triple Check. How about this being my fourth Monlam in a row, and for the fourth year in a row it was even bigger, better, and so much more successful and widely shared than ever before - Quadruple check! I simply cannot believe the amount of people who tuned in, how many shares and wonderful notes of thanks and appreciation I received, it was unbelievable. I am overwhelmed by both the positive, supportive, and also honest and truly heartwarming feedback and involvement that has come with this event, and I simply cannot thank you enough or say it strongly enough. No matter where you’re from, who you are, or what nation or creed you call home I consider you a dharma friend, and I am so lucky to have you in my life.
What are we without family? What are we without love? These questions have rung true as the theme for this entire event, always in my mind. This has all been for you, for without you all this just wouldn’t be Monlam, it has come to be tradition now. We are family and this is how we celebrate together. The long days, the lack of sleep, the constant running around, the quick tea, the running again, this is what makes Monlam, well, Monlam. And for all of you, my family, I do it with all my heart, with so much joy and happiness it doesn’t even resemble a job, it is an honor and a privilege. Karmapa asked us to ask ourselves, why are we really here? This is an exceptionally good question. I feel that in coming together, in celebrating peace, love, and family without walls or borders, without rules or exceptions, without concepts or motives, to push the limits of who we are, what we think we are, and what we can do to make this world a better place - this is why we are here. It first begins with light, then love, then family. Then comes the joy, and we walk this walk of life together as one. When we are truly present for each other, when our caring for one another outweighs our own petty concerns and complaints, then the real healing power begins. For those who couldn’t join us in person, for those tuning in from around the world this has been the single most uniting and coming together of family I have ever participated in. This has been a grand celebration of love. We have walked together, cried together, danced and with grand victorious voices we have cried out into the night together. Joining forces, forever united, connecting our hearts, crossing oceans, and in the pure spirit of what makes Monlam so powerful, I feel we couldn’t have succeeded more. This is why we are here. This is the true spirit of Dharma Family United.
With one last Tashi Sho, a heavy heart and a bag of wonderful new memories to keep me company, a grand farewell from Bodh Gaya and already looking forward to seeing you all next year, because nothing on earth could keep me away! From the bottom of my heart thank you, for everything, our family is amazing, ever growing, and I am so fortunate to be a small part of it.
Tashi Sho and Ki Ki So So!
-Tokpa
Kagyu Monlam 2016
