The emotions we all experienced, the highs and lows, the possibility that in the end things wouldn't work out, it was simply overwhelming for everyone.
In the end the Kudung was able to come, and the welcoming ceremony was one for the record books. I caught myself thinking that this was indeed a once in a lifetime event, a coming together of all sides in celebration. I expected that this energy would never be seen again...
This evening His Holiness the Karmapa arrived in Bodh Gaya to crowds overrunning the streets in all directions, the courtyard of Karma Temple filled to the brim with devotees craning to be close as he walked by. The full procession of instruments, flags, ceremonial objects and every Lama, monk and Rinpoche line the streets as the convoy finally rolls in. Immediately we all sense that the heightened excitement, the crazy energy that took hold of all of us in Shar Minub was back - the crowds begin to sway, pushing and shoving commence as the security guards around Karmapa begin to have difficulty holding people far enough back to clear a pathway. Hundreds surround him as everyone is trying to squeeze in, to get even a glimpse of Karmapa. This raw chaos is indeed the very same as Shar Minub, the excitement and anticipation of his arrival in Gaya brings about the same feelings for everyone - the arrival of Karmapa is here!
As we enter the courtyard I find myself again thrown into the whirlwind at the center of the crowd, trying to simply stay standing and not get trampled. As taking planned photos was basically impossible (on more than one occasion I thought my camera had been pulled off me and most certainly smashed to pieces), I was able to press the record button and try and document the stampede on video - snapping random screenshot photos when I could. Though it sounds intense - I find myself strangely comfortable in these types of situations, as more and more I’m able to be present and in the middle of things for these large events I understand that everywhere he goes he is greeted like this. And every time, no matter how crazy the rest of us get, how much we lose our minds in the moment, Karmapa is always calm and smiling, greeting everyone with warmth and personal attention. In these moments I am treated to an up close and personal view of just how patient, compassionate and understanding he is with us all.
In the end the Kudung was able to come, and the welcoming ceremony was one for the record books. I caught myself thinking that this was indeed a once in a lifetime event, a coming together of all sides in celebration. I expected that this energy would never be seen again...
This evening His Holiness the Karmapa arrived in Bodh Gaya to crowds overrunning the streets in all directions, the courtyard of Karma Temple filled to the brim with devotees craning to be close as he walked by. The full procession of instruments, flags, ceremonial objects and every Lama, monk and Rinpoche line the streets as the convoy finally rolls in. Immediately we all sense that the heightened excitement, the crazy energy that took hold of all of us in Shar Minub was back - the crowds begin to sway, pushing and shoving commence as the security guards around Karmapa begin to have difficulty holding people far enough back to clear a pathway. Hundreds surround him as everyone is trying to squeeze in, to get even a glimpse of Karmapa. This raw chaos is indeed the very same as Shar Minub, the excitement and anticipation of his arrival in Gaya brings about the same feelings for everyone - the arrival of Karmapa is here!
As we enter the courtyard I find myself again thrown into the whirlwind at the center of the crowd, trying to simply stay standing and not get trampled. As taking planned photos was basically impossible (on more than one occasion I thought my camera had been pulled off me and most certainly smashed to pieces), I was able to press the record button and try and document the stampede on video - snapping random screenshot photos when I could. Though it sounds intense - I find myself strangely comfortable in these types of situations, as more and more I’m able to be present and in the middle of things for these large events I understand that everywhere he goes he is greeted like this. And every time, no matter how crazy the rest of us get, how much we lose our minds in the moment, Karmapa is always calm and smiling, greeting everyone with warmth and personal attention. In these moments I am treated to an up close and personal view of just how patient, compassionate and understanding he is with us all.
