They sat clustered on cushions in Tergar Shrine Room,
displaying their bright, lime-green lanyards and identity
cards – the army of volunteers from around the world whose
efforts ensure the smooth operation of Kagyu Monlam.
This year there are nearly five hundred of them, working in
various capacities to support Kagyu Monlam. Their jobs
include preparing food, cooking, serving tea, cleaning the
toilets, cleaning up the Mahabodhi grounds after each
session of the Monlam, reporting news, running the stalls
which sell Monlam texts and souvenirs, supervising the Alms
Procession, helping with security, and so forth. Each year
the Gyalwang Karmapa recognizes their unique contribution
during a private audience with all the volunteers.
Sitting in a huge armchair directly below the wondrously
life-like statue of Dusum Khyenpa, which now graces the
throne in the shrine room, His Holiness was relaxed and
playful, pulling faces and gesticulating, as, amazed, the
serious faces of the volunteers broke into smiles.
He welcomed the volunteers and thanked them sincerely for
their work on behalf of Kagyu Monlam. Having reminded
everyone of the importance of purity of intention and
motivation, Gyalwang Karmapa expressed his wish that the
Monlam would become a mandala of spontaneous, loving
kindness. He acknowledged that the professional and
practical support based on experience which the volunteers
were able to offer to the Monlam, had contributed to its
success and expansion over the years, and he appreciated the
efforts they made to come to Bodhgaya even though they faced
many difficulties and a heavy workload.
In recognition of their efforts, His Holiness gave each
volunteer a copy of a scroll of the Heart Sutra written in
Chinese calligraphy by his own hand, and bearing his seal.
The scrolls had been intended for sponsors, but, as the
Gyalwang Karmapa told the audience, “You [the volunteers]
are the big sponsors!” He also gave instructions for a
simple meditation which could be practised with the scroll.
