We are happy to announce that the First Edition of the Nangchö Mönlam ནང་ཆོས་སྨོན་ལམ། —the Great Buddhist Prayer Festival for Peace— will take place in Dharma City from 19 to 21 August 2022.
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.
During a mönlam, the participants recite these prayers of aspiration, turning their mind and action towards benefiting all beings.
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 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, Bhutan—and recently in the West.
The Nangchö Mönlam —the Great Buddhist Prayer Festival for Peace— is organised under the auspices of Patrul Rinpoche, and is the first ever organised in Belgium.
This video presents the Mönlam (it was taken before the Mönlam).
Schedule
Arrival on site is possible starting 18 August 4 pm, and departure until 22 August 11:30 am.
When you arrive, please come to the registration desk to receive your badge. If you have booked an accommodation, we can then show you your room.
The desk will be open on Thursday 18 Aug 5 PM to 10 PM, and then during the mönlams every day 8 am to 9 pm (except during recitations).
Thursday 18 August
5-10 pm
registration desk open
7 pm
dinner
Friday 19 & Saturday 20 August
8 am
breakfast
8-8:50 am
registration desk open
9-11am
Mönlams
tea break
11:30 am - 1 pm
Mönlams
1 pm
lunch
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Mönlams
tea break
5:00 - 6:30 pm
Prayers on request
Chöd & finish Mönlams
7 pm
dinner
8:30 pm (30 to 45 min)
Dharma talk
Sunday 21
8 am
breakfast
9-11am
Mönlams
tea break
11:30 am - 1 pm
Mönlams
1 pm
lunch
3:00 - 5:30 pm
Prayers on request
Chöd & finish Mönlams
tea break
5:30 pm
Mönlams closing ceremony
7 pm
dinner
Monday 22
8 am
breakfast
Costs
Patrul Rinpoche has expressed the wish that the mönlam be a donation-based annual event.
It means that participation is free of charge for participants, and that all costs are covered through donations.
You are most welcome to make a donation, general or specific, according to your possibilities and wishes. It is also a wonderful way for those who cannot join to connect to the positive energy of the mönlams.
Donation
With the help of donors like you, the Nangchö Mönlam will flourish for the benefit of all. Donations of any amount are appreciated and will help further the Mönlam tradition.
1. Please check this table or this page that lists all costs and select the items you would like to offer. Note the number of the item in the first column.
2. Fill in the donation form (include the number for the item(s) you selected).
3. For financial donation, see the payment options here. For material donation, it is possible in some cases to bring the item directly yourself to Dharma City.
4. The merits of sponsoring the mönlams will be dedicated during the mönlams.
During the course, vegetarian meals and tea will be given freely to participants who preregistered (up to 14 August 22).
If you did not register beforehand, there may be some extra food, and you can bring your own meal, take a meal in Dharma City Tea House & Restaurant or buy food from Dharma City Organic shop.
Meals will only be offered on 18 August (dinner), 19-20-21 August (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and 22 August (breakfast).
We are sorry that we cannot guarantee gluten-free and other allergies-free options.
The Dharma City Tea House & Restaurant and the organic shop will be open during the Mönlam (where you will find vegetarian meals and food suitable to specific diets). Reservation is advised.
Accomodation
It is possible to stay on site.
- Tisha room: a room with 2 beds without bathroom. 25 euros / day (20 euros if you stay more than 5 nights. Tisha room sponsors: 10 euros)
- Dormitory. a mattress is provided. Free if you take your own bedsheets. 5 euros if you need bedsheets (for washing them when you leave).
- Camping: free
Registration
Registration on the website is open until 14 August.
After 14 August it will be possible to register directly on site, but please note that we may not be able to offer free meals, a printed text, and the accommodation on site may be full.
We will need several to help during the mönlams. Depending on the task you will be able or not to attend the mönlams (for the tasks that need to be done during the recitation time, a few volunteers will take turns so that everyone can attend at least partially).
Car sharing: if you would like to share your trip or part of your trip (whether you can give a ride or need a ride), look here.
If you come by public transportation and need a lift from Florennes to Dharma City, please write your name in this list or call us. (Nb: we do not have the possibility to pick up Mönlam participants Charleroi or anywhere else).
What to bring
a cushion to sit in the temple (a few chairs will be available as well)
the instruments for Chöd practice if you have
if you sleep on site, a torch may be useful
if you camp: all your camping material (including mattress, sleeping bag, etc)
Plates and cups will be available, but you may take your own if you prefer
Paiements
The paiement options are available here: https://www.patrulrinpoche.net/connect-and-support/donation/
BE50 0682 2863 7818
Prayers on request
Once a day during the mönlams prayer requests will be read aloud and the assembly will recite specific prayers for it.
If you would like to make a prayer request, please fill in this form
