Mahabodhi Stupa, Bodhgaya

It is customary on the first morning of the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo for His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa to visit the Mahabodhi Stupa main shrine room to pay homage to Lord Buddha and to make offerings and prayers to create auspiciousness. This year Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche is presiding over the Monlam and, thus, on Monday, he went to the Mahabodhi Stupa and offered the customary  full set of golden silk robes and  seven alms bowls of assorted offerings—fruit, rice, sweets, biscuits, flowers and coconuts.

One of the Rinpoches will make the same offering on every morning of the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo. On Tuesday morning Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche will go.

Gyaltsap Rinpoche is received at the Mahabodhi Stupa complex by Mr Nangzey Dorjee, Secretary of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, and the head monk. An attendant leads the way, holding high the offering of robes.

The approach to the main shrine room.

Gyaltsap Rinpoche prepares to offer the set of golden silk robes to the Buddha.

Wearing the red ceremonial crown of the Kagyu, Gyaltsap Rinpoche offers the robes.

Gyaltsap Rinpoche offers prayers.

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Making the offering of the alms bowls

Rice and coconut offering

Gyaltsap Rinpoche with Adzin Rinpoche, Drupon Dechen Rinpoche, Nangzey Dorjee and the head monk.

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The offerings completed, Gyaltsap Rinpoche heads back to the Monlam Pavillion.