3 years ago
The Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism is currently carrying out its annual Monlam Chenmo, or Great Prayer Festival. The ceremony began on 14 January. The event is being attended by only around 100 monks.
Before the pandemic, around 10,000 monks and devotees used to participate in the event every year. Like every year event is taking place in Bodh Gaya, India.
Event takes place in the periphery of the Mahabodhi Temple. This is the site of the Siddhartha achieving enlightenment and became Buddha.
The Nyingma school is a major school of Tibetan Buddhism. It travelled all the way to Tibet from India in the eighth century by Shantarakshita,Padmasambhava and sponsorship of King Trisong Detsen.
The highest teachings of the school are known as Dzogchen, a practice of non-duality based primordial basis of the mind. Padmasambhava founded the first monastic university of Samye.
Later, Indian panditas, such as Vimalamitra preached tibetan people. He taught to the twenty-five main disciples of Tibet, who included King Trisong Detsen, Yeshé Tsogyal and Vairochana.
For millions of disciples throughout the centuries, Padmasambhava has continued to be the source of their realization, and the inspiration which breathes life into the heart of the practice.
Prayers are also being made for the long lives of all lineage holders and spreading of the Dharma throughout the world.
This is also an auspicious opportunity for practitioners to make confessions and to renew bodhisattva vows. Yearly December and January are the busiest months for Buddhist festivals and teachings in Bodh Gaya.
HoweverThis year , the pandemic has caused the strict travel restrictions, curtailing plans for major events.Due to which the tourism industry has been badly affected.
The school is led by the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo International Committee. Today the head of committee is chosen from six major Nyingma monasteries in rotation for a three-year interval.
Following COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions,the number of participants has been restricted this year.
A former trustee of the event said that Prayers for world peace marked the beginning of the nine-day 32nd Nyingma Monlam Chenmo Puja. Monlam this year will conclude on 23 January, saturday.
