27th Kagyu Monlam Special Report -- The Gates

December 24, 2009, Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, report by Jo Gibson, photos taken by Pema Orser Dorje

 

The Eastern Entrance Gate

It was Gyalwang Karmapa’s wish this year that the main entrance gate be simple, inexpensive  and ecologically sound, reflecting his concern for the environment. Designed by the Venerable Choekyi Gyamtso, this year’s entrance gate is little more than a  light scaffold frame  made of renewable  bamboo.  Suspended from this unadorned frame are two rows of prayer wheels, bearing the mantra : Om Pemo Uni Kha Bema Le Hung Phat. The mantra comes from one of the sutras and is thus the Buddha’s own words.  This mantra has powers of purification so that all who pass through the gate during the Monlam festival will receive some spiritual benefit.

 

The Entrance Gate to the Monlam Area

Continuing the theme of conservation of natural resources and recycling, last year’s smaller Japanese-style Tori gate has been deliberately re-used this year; the only concession being that it has now been repainted in a muted shade of  dusky pink to blend in with the natural stone pillars either side.