Event : Sakya Monlam
2010
Date : September 13-22
Venue : Lumbini, Nepal
Website : http://www.hhthesakyatrizin.org/calendars/2010/10_11.html
SlideShow :
http://www.hhthesakyatrizin.org/photogalleries/monlam/monlam.html
In reestablishing the prayer festivals, two important
considerations were which prayers should be recited, and where to
gather from year to year. The prayers to be recited at the Sakya
Monlam were determined by His Holiness Sakya Trizin along with
other senior Sakyapa lamas and monks who chose 100,000 recitations
of the Samantabhadra prayer as the main recitation. The places to
gather are decided in accordance with the advice of Lord Buddha
Shakyamuni, who said just before entering mahaparinirvana:
Noble sons and daughters, those faithful ones should travel to
these four holy places, and recall them in their minds for as long
as they live. If one wonders where those four holy places are, they
are the place where the Bhagwan Buddha was born; the place where
the Bhagwan Buddha was enlightened; the place where the Bhagwan
Buddha taught the Dharma; and the holy place where the Bhagwan
Buddha entered mahaparinirvana. Bikkshus, after I enter
parinirvana, some pilgrims may come to these places to see the
stupas and make prostrations. When they come, you should tell them
these words.
He also said, "For those who are unable to see the holy face of
the actual Buddha, they should go and see these four holy places,
and practice the Dharma in these places."
In accordance with this, Lumbini, Nepal, the site of the
Buddha’s birth, was chosen for the time being as the gathering
place. At this sacred site, monks, nuns, and lay people from all
countries gather in a huge convocation. The arrangements for this
great gathering are managed by the Monlam Committee.
The first Sakya Monlam outside of Tibet took place in Lumbini
from March 1 – 15, 1993, and was organized by the Tsar temple,
Jamchen Lhakang (Great Maitreya Shrine). His Holiness Sakya Trizin,
His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, and His Eminence Gyana Vajra
Rinpoche presided, and in attendance were His Eminence Chogye
Trichen Rinpoche, His Eminence Luding Khenchen Rinpoche, the
Shabdrung Rinpoches, Gonkar Dorje Tenpa, and over a thousand lamas,
tulkus, monks, and nuns.
For three days prior to the main ceremonies, the entire assembly
practiced White Tara with Six Rays of Light and then made an
elaborate long-life request to His Holiness Sakya Trizin. During
the long-life request, His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche gave a
detailed explanation of the mandala offering, the clarity and
precision of which were widely acclaimed. The minister of religious
affairs from the Tibetan Government in Exile joined in requesting
His Holiness’ long life.
On the first day of the main ceremonies, His Eminence Chogye
Trichen Rinpoche introduced the Venerable Tarthang Tulku, who
delighted the assembly with an arousing speech. Following the
preliminaries, the main ceremony began. Each day the assembly
chanted prayers to the lineage of Indian and Tibetan masters, the
Sixteen Arhat Ritual, the Manjushri Namasamgita, and especially
Samantabhadra’s Aspiration to Noble Deeds. During the recitations,
many people came to request additional prayers, or to make
offerings. All offerings were recorded and announced each
afternoon, and then allocated to worthwhile causes. Students from
the three major Sakya colleges spent time between chanting sessions
practicing debate in the traditional style. Concluding each day,
the assembly chanted the Door of Happiness, a prayer for the
happiness of all living beings.