We will be gathering to celebrate the Tibetan New Year (Losar) [...]]]> Join us to start the Tibetan Year of the Male Water Dragon (2139) with the best of motivations and the blessings of Tara practice, community, and with aspirations for a prosperous and harmonious year.

We will be gathering to celebrate the Tibetan New Year (Losar) on Saturday, February 5. We will have Green Tara Practice followed by a potluck vegetarian lunch.  After lunch we please join us for Chenrezig Sadhana practice!

There is a new logo for the Monlam this year, and I would like to explain it.

Throughout my life I have always felt that the outer natural elements [...]]]> Re-posted from a 2007 article by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa on the Kagyu Monlam website

There is a new logo for the Monlam this year, and I would like to explain it.

Throughout my life I have always felt that the outer natural elements and my own mind are close. I have a special connection with the four elements. I am not being superstitious and saying I can talk to the elements, but sometimes it feels that way.

Ever since the human race first appeared on this earth, we have used this earth heavily. It is said that ninety-nine percent of the resources and so on in this world come from the natural environment. We are using the earth until…

Following his earlier address to 8,000 newly-arrived Tibetans, the Gyalwang Karmapa yesterday received over 10,000 people from across the Himalayan region. Large delegations from Ladakh, Spiti, Manali, Kulu, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim and West Bengal, as well as from Nepal and [...]]]> From Kagyuoffice.org

Following his earlier address to 8,000 newly-arrived Tibetans, the Gyalwang Karmapa yesterday received over 10,000 people from across the Himalayan region. Large delegations from Ladakh, Spiti, Manali, Kulu, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim and West Bengal, as well as from Nepal and Bhutan came seeking His Holiness the Karmapa´s blessings. After delivering a Dharma talk to the vast crowd, the Gyalwang Karmapa granted each of the 10,000 people an individual blessing.

The Gyalwang Karmapa yesterday also participated in a pan-Tibetan Buddhist prayer gathering, over which His Holiness the Dalai Lama is presiding in Bodhgaya. Along with the His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Gyalwang Karmapa, His Holiness the Sakya Trizin was also in attendance. HH Sakya Trizin and the Gyalwang Karmapa are the heads of the Sakya and Karma Kagyu orders of Tibetan Buddhism, respectively. The three are the seniormost Tibetan lamas in India, and their joint participation drew crowds so dense that movement around the Mahabodhi Stupa came to a virtual standstill as pilgrims strained for a glimpse of the heads of their faith. For the estimated 300,000 pilgrims on hand for the Kalachakra puja in Bodhgaya, the opportunity to attend prayer sessions with their most revered spiritual leaders was a moment not to be missed.

Called Non-Sectarian Prayer Gathering, or Rimé Monlam, the prayers for world peace are held at the Mahabodhi temple, at the site where Lord Buddha was enlightened two and a half millennia ago.

A message of hope from HH Karmapa for 2012. Images of prayers for world peace from KTD Monastery and a look back at KTD 2011.  Music includes work by Christopher Cameron and Thought Guild.

Greetings for Tibetan Year Water Dragon and Year 2012. As always, I want to once again remind you that at the beginning of every year, we should look [...]]]> Blessing from Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa for New Year 2012 – From Palpung.org

Greetings for Tibetan Year Water Dragon and Year 2012. As always, I want to once again remind you that at the beginning of every year, we should look back our improvement and progress as a Buddhist or as a good human being of the past year. And we should also make clear decision to make our coming year even better one. We always should remember the basis of the teaching of Buddha as a Buddhist and as a human being, we should remember the commonness of every human being. That is, there is no sentient being who doesn’t like to be happy and there is no sentient being who likes to suffer, just like we ourselves. And based on that, we should do our best to make our lives meaningful as possible and positive as possible, year by year, month by month, week by week, day by day, hour by hour. We should put clear emphasis on our principle. Whatever is harmful for ourselves and for others, we will avoid. Whatever is beneficial for ourselves and for others, we will conduct. We will always learn from everything that comes in our lives, whether it is a positive thing or whether it is a negative thing. And we should respect everyone, whether they are from the same religion or different religion; whether they are from the same ideology or different ideology; whether they are from east or west or from north or south or central. Every form of life, every human being, we should respect. And we should make maximum effort possible to consider their feelings and their benefit. If we cannot put them before us, we at least should put them on the same importance. Of course, if we can put greater importance for the welfare of others before ours, that is wonderful. Anyway, I assure you, being a good person is fun, being a good person is joy, being a good person is happy, being a good person feels wonderful. It is not a difficult thing, it is the best and easiest thing, if you really understand and appreciate the reason and benefit and principle of it.

I wish you all very good year May it be glorious like a dragon, May it be fruitful and nourishing and nurturing and cleansing like water. May it be wonderful Water Dragon Year and may it be wonderful 2012. All the best, Buddha bless you.

We have prayed using written prayers prepared by our spiritual guides, chief among them His Holiness the 17th [...]]]> Since the turn of the millennium, the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra community, with the participation KTC Centers and many others around the world, have been praying for peace.

We have prayed using written prayers prepared by our spiritual guides, chief among them His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje. We have prayed with ceremony, ushering in each January 1 since the Year 2000 with a sunrise service.

A representation of our prayers has been the display of 108 peace lamps each January 1 at the center. The North American seat of His Holiness Karmapa, Karma Triyana Darmachakra, has maintained 108 peace lamps in the principal shrine hall (gompa) since January 2000. These lamps have been and remain a physical manifestation of the wish each of us holds in our hearts – that peace be with us, flow through us, and spread out to the entire world. New Year’s Day 2011 will mark the 4,019th consecutive day on which these lamps have remained shining in the KTD gompa.

This year, our January 1 First Light ceremony will begin at Sunrise. Please join us a our meeting place on Winona. Everyone is welcome.

The schedule is as follows:

We also invite you to help KTD “Keep the Light Burning” by making a contribution to keep the peace lamps burning and peace wishes active. For more information, please visit the KTD “First Light” page.

Vegetarian food to share with the the other attendees, animals and as an offering are welcomed and encouraged.

Whether it is for one day, two days, three, or an entire week, retreat is a means for dharma practitioners to relax into and deepen [...]]]> Winter Retreat opportunities at Karma Triyana Darmachakra, Woodstock, NY. The North American seat of His Holiness the 17th Gwalwang Karmapa

Whether it is for one day, two days, three, or an entire week, retreat is a means for dharma practitioners to relax into and deepen their practice of meditation.

Being away from daily responsibilities allows the mind to settle and expand, and brings us closer to the meaning of practice: a taming and a training for the mind.

KTD is quiet in the winter, so in years past, we offered a “January Retreat Month” so people could take advantage of the calm and book in personal retreats.

Now, we have our new Residence Wing open, and the rooms are more comfortable than ever. You can eat in the dining room, practice in your own room or in one of the most beautiful shrine rooms in America. You can study in the library or lounge and read in the Daka or Dakini social rooms.
Meditation instruction is available by appointment, as are interviews with visiting lamas.

To register for a personal retreat, contact the KTD office at office@kagyu.org.

Click here for full details