Category: Monlam Chenmo
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”
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
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.
Making Wax Butter in Bodhgaya, Part 4
Monks and nuns worked hard to prepare the materials necessary for making butter sculptures for the International Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, India. This footage was shot in 2008 by Ko Jung-Fa and Cynthia Chao and depicts the fourth stage in the laborious four-part process… Continue Reading “Making Wax Butter in Bodhgaya, Part 4”
Making Wax Butter in Bodhgaya, Part 3
Monks and nuns worked hard to prepare the materials necessary for making butter sculptures for the International Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, India. This footage was shot in 2008 by Ko Jung-Fa and depicts the third stage in the laborious four-part process of preparing wax… Continue Reading “Making Wax Butter in Bodhgaya, Part 3”
Making Wax Butter in Bodhgaya, Part 1
Monks and nuns worked hard to prepare the materials necessary for making butter sculptures for the International Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, India. This footage was shot in 2008 by Ko Jung-Fa and depicts the first stage in the laborious four-part process of preparing wax… Continue Reading “Making Wax Butter in Bodhgaya, Part 1”
The Great Aspiration
My favorite part of the Kagyu Monlam daily program in Bodhgaya is when His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa puts on his Black Hat and recites the Monlam Chenmo, or the Great Aspiration. This is a profound prayer written by the 7th Karmapa, Chodrak Gyamtso.… Continue Reading “The Great Aspiration”
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