Thousands of devotees gathered at Changlimithang in Thimphu today to receive blessings from the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorji.
The Global Peace Prayer Ground turned into a gathering of devotees from different parts of the country, who came to receive blessings from the spiritual leader.
For many, the occasion was an opportunity to see the Gyalwang Karmapa in person after having heard about him for years.
Sangay, a devotee, said he came with great excitement after learning about the Guru’s Wang and arrived at the venue around 11 PM yesterday.
“After knowing that today there’s going to be Guru’s Wang, I came with lots of excitement. In the past, I had only heard about Gyalwang Karmapa. Although addressed as Gyalwang Karmapa, I witnessed him as Guru Rinpoche in physical form. I was really excited about today’s event and reached here around 11 PM yesterday,” he said.
Another devotee, Kencho Wangmo, said she felt blessed to be part of the occasion and had arrived early in the morning after hearing about the Gyalwang Karmapa’s Wang.
“We are really blessed to be born in Bhutan. We had only heard about Gyalwang Karmapa, and I am happy to take part in this wonderful event. After hearing there would be Gyalwang Karmapa’s Wang, we left our work and came early in the morning,” she said.
The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa arrived in Bhutan last week to grace the consecration of the 108 stupas at Gelephu Mindfulness City.
For the devotees, the gathering was not just an occasion to receive blessings but also a day of spiritual renewal.
Pelden Wangchuk
