Zangchod Bum or Boom, which means One Hundred Thousand Recitation of King of Aspiration Prayers, was completed a couple of days ago. Even though we only had 500 monks and nuns, compared to the tens of thousands of people in Ladakh, I think we have done a very good job. Everything was very well-done, everyone was very dedicated, so happy and so involved, including myself. In Ladakh, with that many people, we managed to do 3 sets of hundred million Mani Mantra within 1 day and 3 sets of hundred million Vajra Guru Mantra within 2 and half days, and this time in Swayambhunath, we did hundred thousand Zangchod in 6 days, with 500 monks and nuns, mainly nuns.
This was requested by someone who had passed away, and before he passed away, he wanted me to do Zangchod Bum for him and for his spirit. I was happy to be able to do it, not only as a fulfilment of his wishes, but also for the sake of all sentient beings, especially those beings who are unfortunately being abused. Without hesitation, I accepted his request.
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Afterwards, when we were able to do it, then I thought maybe we became copycat as well. I hope not, but somehow this thought came into my mind. This is because Monlam is predominantly a Gelugpa gathering, started by Je Tsongkhapa, called Monlam Chenmo, the great prayer gathering, then the rest of the Tibetan Buddhist schools recently copied it, they call it different Monlam, Monlam of this school and Monlam of that school. Basically I was not too comfortable about it, because it looks like some kind of competition. So therefore I was not calling this 6-day gathering Monlam, but just Zangchod Bum.
Many of the devotees who participated this time requested me to do this every year. I was externally not agreeing because of this reason, but I was actually keeping this open, deeply I thought why not? But externally I didn't agree, I felt very much being dragged into some kind of unhealthy competition, I was also a little tired at the same time. I think I was a little off colour, even though I was mentally very happy but physically I was unwell, I had not recovered from bronchitis and flu and all the uncomfortable coughing, which I had caught in Ladakh. So I felt very tired. But I was really happy especially when these people requested such kind of annual Zangchod Bum for all beings, this is so wonderful. I only wish and hope that this will not be carried out by the 8 demonic dharmas.
After Sikkim, I will have some more news to share with you.
