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A smiling robed figure stands beneath pale leaves while holding a small ceremonial object — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — Dec 20, 2017 — Monlam - It Ends Where It Began — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Photograph from Monlam - It Ends Where It Began — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2017 — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Photograph from Monlam - It Ends Where It Began — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2017 — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Photograph from Monlam - It Ends Where It Began — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2017 — photograph by Tokpa Korlo
Photograph from Monlam - It Ends Where It Began — Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India — December 2017 — photograph by Tokpa Korlo

This has been the most incredible week of my life! The celebrations have been endless, each day bringing more and more joy to my heart.

BODH GAYA, BIHAR, INDIA · DECEMBER 20, 2017

Monlam - It Ends Where It Began

Karmapa’s whole family was here, and the happiness of seeing Mipham Rinpoche and Mayungla united with Sangyumla and her family all here together will never cease for me, they make my heart shine rainbows. Karmapa’s largest empowerment ever in Bodh Gaya took place, with over 7000 in attendance. And of course, in my own personal life, I became engaged to the most wonderful woman alive, right here, underneath the tree in the presence of Karmapa and our dharma family from all over the world. Absolutely everyone has come up to show their love and support. I’ve never received so many hugs, handshakes, grins, smiles, waves and shows of affection and joy in my entire life - it has been completely overwhelming and incredibly touching. The week began with such an unexpected explosion of joy and celebration, but it can end in the same way. We will throw flowers and sing together, dance and pray together as the day fades gently into night and the Monlam comes to a close. We will do as we always do here. Under the great tree of Enlightenment, as a family, we are all united. I am so deeply grateful to you all, for making this once in a lifetime experience for the both of us, into the most memorable week in our lives. Thank you so, so much.

As a show of my appreciation I would like to offer all my photos from this week’s event to you all, in print quality, as my gift to you. You can print them, download them all, share with friends and family, they are yours and I want you to enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed taking them. My work is a joy for me, a great honor actually. I will always want to share this, for joy when shared become insurmountably more, as it grows and grows. These photographs are my life’s work, my deepest desires and dreams, and knowing that everyone can have them makes me very happy indeed. This is all I want. Please join me in this joy, in this dream. Join me as this great Monlam comes to a close, just like it began - together as a family under the tree.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/91cwzec3d5ablhz/AADLAE9EWDwngElBgYIM8bDXa?dl=0

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