Category: Bodhgaya
34th Kagyu Monlam Torma-making
In February 2017 the Kagyu Monlam torma artists were creating their artworks. Enjoy the slideshow:
Karmapa on the significance of the tormas created for the 26th Kagyu Monlam
Here is a video montage featuring excerpts of a talk by His Holiness, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, in which he explained the significance of the tormas created for the 26th Kagyu Monlam (filmed in Bodhgaya, India in 2009). The text below is followed by… Continue Reading “Karmapa on the significance of the tormas created for the 26th Kagyu Monlam”
A Dazzling Visual Feast of Butter Sculpture Celebrates the Kalachakra Teachings and Empowerment in Bodhgaya, India
The amazing butter sculptures displayed below were created by the Gyuto and Gyudmed monks for the Kalachakra teachings and initiation currently taking place in Bodhgaya. They depict the Seventeen Nalanda Masters: Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Buddhapalita, Bhavaviveka, Chandrakirti, Shantideva, Shantarakshita, Kamalashila, Asanga, Vasubandhu, Dignaga, Dharmakirti, Arya… Continue Reading “A Dazzling Visual Feast of Butter Sculpture Celebrates the Kalachakra Teachings and Empowerment in Bodhgaya, India”
Letter from Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche when Departing for Retreat
In early June, 2011, Mingyur Rinpoche left his monastery in Bodhgaya, India to begin a period of extended solitary retreat. He departed in the middle of the night without telling anyone. He did not take any money or belongings, just the clothes he was… Continue Reading “Letter from Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche when Departing for Retreat”
Amchok Metok Gyens and the Nuns who Made Them
Amchok Metok is the name of a particularly beautiful decoration that looks like a flower and is used on the large butter sculptures that grace the shrine during the International Kagyu Monlam. Metok means flower and Amchok perhaps refers to the region of Tibet where this type of flower… Continue Reading “Amchok Metok Gyens and the Nuns who Made Them”
The Tormas and Other Offerings at the 28th Kagyu Monlam
A special report by Michele Martin Check out a detailed and very interesting report on this year’s Kagyu Monlam Butter Sculptures by Michele Martin, complete with slide show, photos and diagrams. Enjoy! http://www.kagyumonlam.org/english/news/Report/Report_20101223_Tormas.html
The 28th Kagyu Monlam Butter Sculptures
From “An Interview with the Gyalwang Karmapa, November 29th, 2010” posted on the Kagyu Monlam website (www.kagyumonlam.org): Q. What are the designs and themes of the butter sculptures this year? This year they are in connection with the Karmapa 900 commemoration, thus in the… Continue Reading “The 28th Kagyu Monlam Butter Sculptures”
Making Shalzes in Bodhgaya
Karma Kagyu monks make shalzes out of the torma dough for the International Kagyu Monlam for World Peace held annually in Bodhgaya. Shalzes are considered to be sacred food offerings for the deities. Filmed in Bodhgaya in December 2008 by Ko Jung-Fa and Cynthia… Continue Reading “Making Shalzes in Bodhgaya”
His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa Discusses Torma Shapes and Colors
His Holiness Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, discusses the origins and diversity of torma shapes and colors for the film Torma: The Ancient Art of Tibetan Butter Sculpture. Filmed in Bodhgaya, India, in 2008-09 by cinematographers Ko Jung-Fa and Cynthia Chao.
