December 19, 2012
As head of Karma Kagyu, the Gyalwang Karmapa has placed particular emphasis on restoring the discipline and dignity of the ordained sangha of monks and nuns.
Each year, on the eve of the Monlam, he conducts tests. Picking the names of monasteries and nunneries out of an envelope at random, he calls on groups of monks and nuns to show that they can follow the correct procedures for donning the prayer robes, prostrating, making the tea and food offerings, and, for fully ordained monks, that they know how to carry the sacred scriptures and how to walk in the alms procession.
In a short speech, full of humour, the Gyawlang Karmapa reminded them of their reponsibilities as representatives of the Buddhist sangha.