The First New Zealand Kagyu Monlam for World Peace, 2011

Thirty years after being sent to New Zealand by His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, it is with great joy that we announce the auspicious occasion of the Kagyu Monlam taking place for the first time in New Zealand.

Kagyu Monlam is a very special and rare opportunity for practitioners to come together with pure intentions to make universal aspirations for the benefit of all sentient beings.

We extend an invitation to all to attend this unique opportunity to celebrate through prayer the peaceful aspirations for the planet.

— Ven. Choje Lama Shedrup

Kagyu Monlam is an extensive prayer assembly and teaching event for ordained and lay sangha. Established in 15th century Tibet as a prayer assembly venerating the miracles of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Kagyu Monlam has drawn its inspiration from the collected aspirations of the Kagyu lineage holders. Through the kindness of the Very Venerable Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche and the Very Venerable Bokar Rinpoche, the Monlam was reinstituted in Bodhgaya, India in 1981. Since 2004, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, has assumed responsibility for revitalizing this extraordinary tradition.

In response to the tremendous worldwide support of His Holiness Karmapa and the Kagyu Monlam, the first New Zealand Kagyu Monlam, to be jointly co-hosted by Palpung Thubten Chokyi Ghatsal and Pu Shien Temple in Auckland, New Zealand, will be an extension of the annual Kagyu Monlam Chenmo in Bodhgaya, India. His Holiness Karmapa will personally develop the prayers and programs for this New Zealand Kagyu Monlam.