The First Edition of the Nangchö Mönlam ནང་ཆོས་སྨོན་ལམ། —the Great Buddhist Prayer Festival for Peace— took place in Dharma City from 19 to 21 August 2022 in the presence of Patrul Rinpoche. Mönlams are prayers of aspiration, aspirations to free all sentient beings from all forms of suffering such as wars, epidemy, physical and mental pain, and for all to achieve stable peace.
Not only is it a time meaningfully spent but also it is a great joy to pray together wishing the best for all, actually benefiting all those connected to these prayers, and training our mind to maintain altruistic motivation.
The mönlams were also be broadcasted online.
Patrul Rinpoche has expressed the wish that the mönlam be a donation-based annual event. It means that participation was free of charge for participants, and that all costs were covered through donations. During the event people are welcome to make a donation, general or specific, according to your possibilities and wishes.
The term ‘mönlam’ also refers to the tradition of Mönlam Chenmo, the great prayer gathering that has historically been part of Tibetan New Year celebrations for more than 600 years. Over the last few decades, the mönlam tradition has been revived and greatly enriched. Multiple Mönlams are held at different times during the year in Tibet, India, Nepal, and Bhutan—and recently in the West.
The Nangchö Mönlam —the Great Buddhist Prayer Festival for Peace— was the first ever organised in Belgium and will definitely be repeated as people were very happy and joined in great number. The whole event was a great success so let us meet there again!