May 6, 2017. Today was an extraordinary day of celebrations at K.I.B.I. as we marked both the 34th birthday of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje and the graduation of six students from the B.A. program. Congratulations to Karen Franco, Olga Maksimova, Stephane Richards, Coralie Maurel Santini, Kelsang Sherpa, and Zsuzsanna Venczel!
During the morning of this auspicious day, the monks performed pujas for His Holiness’ long and healthy life. These including supplicating the birth deities, smoke offerings, and Clouds of Nectar offerings.
In the afternoon, His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa arrived for the B.A. students’ Farewell Ceremony which took place in the beautiful shrine room on the third floor. Lama Thabkha led the monks in a mandala offering to His Holiness, followed by Gyalwa Karmapa and Professor Sempa Dorje lighting auspicious butter lamps. With His Holiness as the Chief Guest, and Professor Sempa Dorje as the Guest of Honour, a beautiful ceremony unfolded which included speeches given by Lama Thabkha, Professor Lara Braitstein, Professor Sempa Dorje, and finally by His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa. The students were each presented with congratulatory letters by His Holiness, and then each of them gave a short speech. It was a moving, memorable, and joyful event
After concluding the Farewell Ceremony, a birthday cake was brought to His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa and shared by everyone present.
