New Delhi, Delhi, India, Thursday, December 02, 2010 – South Asia Buddhist Association (SABA) recently commemorated the 900 years of the Karma Kagyu Lineage at the holy monastery of Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in Qutub Institutional Area. This year marks the 900th year since the birth of the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa (1110-1193), who founded the lineage of Kagyu in 1139 C.E.
The Shamarpa lineage is the second oldest reincarnate lineage in Tibetan Buddhism. Shamar Rinpoche (Mipham Chokyi Lodro) is a lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and the mind manifestation of Amitabha Buddha.
A month long festival opened in New Delhi with the traditional Buddhist chants and practices. The 14th Shamarpa – Shamar Rinpoche, the Red Hat Karmapa presided over the auspicious occasion. Nearly 150 lamas and monks from Ladakh, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Nepal and Tibet gathered in the capital to mark the occasion and meet Shamar Rinpoche. Dressed in his traditional costume and Red Hat Shamar Rinpoche was lead to the prayer hall in the ceremonial practice by lamas. The divine sound of chants, Gyalings, drums and cymbals charged the atmosphere and prayers were offered for safety of our country and the entire world.
Speaking on the occasion, Shamarpa said, “We want all sentient beings to be safe
and may the New Year spread spiritual prosperity among one and all. I pray for world peace and may patience dwell in every heart.” The constant chants and prayers filled the atmosphere with a strong positivistic verve.
There after the lamas did a ‘ChoKor’ (circle) of the area around the monastery in about a kilometre long procession, and lit candles around the monastery. Devotees offered fruits, candles and flowers to Buddha and Prasad was distributed among one and all.
The celebration will continue for one month till December 30, 2010 and the 900 year anniversary celebration in memory of the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa will be conducted in Bodhaya. This celebration will be lead by Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, accompanied by many Rinpoches and monks. His Holiness 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, the spiritual head of Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Bhuddism shall make a public appearance on the concluding day of the festival. Karmapa Living Buddhas belong to the oldest line of Tibetan reincarnations, stretching back to the 13th Century.
To shoulder a community responsibility Karmapa Charitable Trust was established by 16th Karmapa, Rigpe Dorje. Since then the Trust is working extensively in Sikkim for the education of underprivileged children and physically challenged people. Trust is the rightful administrator of Rumtek monastery in Sikkim. “Our society needs more helping hands so that a better life can come to the underprivileged section. There is very little done so far and so much more is yet to be done,” says Shamar Rinpoche, the lineage-holder of the Karma Kagyu tradition and a board member of the Karmapa Charitable Trust.
– Source: Business Wire India
