I haven’t seen him since Shamarpa’s kudung time in KIBI, and seeing him here and the incredible devotion that all have for him is unbelievably touching. Karmapa’s wife, the wonderful Sangyumla is also here, and she has brought her whole family with her as well. All our lamas, Rinpoches, monks and nuns from all corners of the globe are here. It is quite possibly the largest Monlam gathering I have ever seen! It’s really unbelievable; there are more familiar bright and smiling faces gathered here than I have ever seen before. A golden wave of joy is in the air, for the family is all here, gathered here in Bodh Gaya under the tree of enlightenment.
And speaking of family, I have an announcement to make: last night I proposed to my girlfriend Katarina under the tree, and she said YES!!!! I am getting married!!! I simply cannot contain my excitement and joy - to make this choice together, here, under the tree in the presence of Karmapa and all our friends and Dharma family is a gift beyond explanation. To share a life in Dharma such as ours, to share your life with a great practitioner such as she… it is pure magic. She is without a doubt the most incredible human being I have ever known, and we both look forward to making this family of ours just a bit bigger very soon. In fact, I actually wished for this every year during Monlam, doing kora around the Bodhi tree, it was my deepest and truest wish. For a long time I was utterly convinced that my work and travel would never allow for me to have someone so wonderful as her… but wishes do come true! So let’s hear it for family! Let’s hear it for wishes coming true. Let’s hear it for the start of the biggest Monlam I have ever seen. Let us all make wishes, for all beings and for our forever growing family as well. The family is all here - let the joy and celebration begin!!!
The Kagyu Monlam 2017
