Palpung Mönlam Chenmo

275 years of Palpung Mönlam Tradition in Tibet

The Great Palpung Mönlam Chenmo was established by the eighth Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche, Chökyi Jungne who founded Palpung Thubten Chökhor Ling Monastic Seat in the Kingdom of Derge, in Eastern Tibet in 1727. Since then, Palpung Mönlam Chenmo has continued throughout many generations. This is a special ten-day prayer practice held in the first month of each lunar calendar year (Bumgyur Dawa); a special time of the year when all activities generate karma that is one hundred thousand times stronger than normal.

Palpung Mönlam Text

Palpung Mönlam Chenmo mainly consists of reciting the Kamtsang Chöcho Chenmo text. The main body of this text contains supplications starting with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and all the Lineage masters. It also contains all the aspiration prayers and the King of Aspiration Prayers, Zangchö Monlam, which is close to two hundred pages in total. All this is recited as many times as possible during the ten day practice. During this period large offerings of lamps, food, and incense are made.

Palpung Mönlam Chenmo in India

Since 2008, the Palpung Mönlam Chenmo has been held every year at the second seat of the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche, Palpung Sherab Ling Monastic Seat, since its establishment in India in 1975.

The Mönlam Chenmo traditionally starts on the 9th day of the First month of the Lunar Calendar and goes through to the 18th day, for ten days (BUMGYUR DAWA). Throughout these ten days one hundred and ten thousand (110,000) butter lamps are offered. Furthermore, one thousand (1,000) butter lamps are also offered every day throughout the year, every year, at Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat.