For the first time, the practice of Chenrezik (the embodiment of compassion) and the celebration of the 4 days of practice at the Monlam will take place in the heart of New York City, the famous Madison Square Garden, underneath which sits one of the largest train stations in the United States. Nearly a million passengers pass through this hub every day. Often requiring up to a year in advance, it is difficult to book events at MSG. However, with much effort, much more merit, and many blessings from His Holiness Karmapa, Danang Foundation, the organizer of the Monlam, was able to secure a booking only one month in advance.
With the aspirations of making an offering to the Karmapa and spreading the teachings of the Buddha, this ninth Kagyu Monlam has been successfully held on a college campus, and the Marme Monlam will take place afterward. With His Holiness presiding over the Monlam, performers, directors and photographers from all over the world will be gathering. After many days of rehearsal, they are ready to perform. As the director of Danang Foundation, Tsewang Rinpoche, put it, “Despite the fact that we have never faced such large obstacles, it is also true that the larger the obstacle we face, the greater the blessing we received.”
On the night of the event, His Holiness Karmapa and Sangha members will be holding hang-made lotus lights and singing the aspirations for peace in the world and praying that all darkness will be eliminated from the world.
With the enthusiastic support of the Danang Foundation, the organizer of this event, and the consent of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, this event will bring a perfect conclusion to the North American Kagyu Monlam.