One day after the end of the Kagyu Mönlam, Künzig Shamar Rinpoche gave a speech in front of the assembled monastic sangha and lay devotees of Rumtek. The venue of the meeting was the Sujata Hotel in Bodhgaya.
Between January 4 and 6, 2011, the Gyalwa Karmapa went on a pilgrimage, visiting the holy sites in the vicinity of Bodhgaya.

On the first day of the Western New Year 2011, once again the Gyalwa Karmapa received many visitors for blessing. One encounter was particularly noteworthy: Ven. Dr. Dhamma Viriyo Mahathero, ex-member of Parliament and spiritual director of the All India Bhikku Sangha in Bodhgaya, came to pay a visit to the Gyalwa Karmapa.

After the extensive celebrations on December 30 things were quieter in Bodhgaya on the next day. The Kagyu Mönlam went on at the Mahabodhi Stupa as usual, and whenever the Gyalwa Karmapa did not join in the recitations he received an endless stream of devotees who came to receive his blessing and guidance.

The big day had arrived. Preparations for this final highlight of the month-long celebration of the first Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa’s 900th anniversary had been going on for many weeks.
From the early morning onwards throngs of people had been gathering at the Mönlam site at the Mahabodhi temple. The atmosphere was vibrant with expectation and filled with the chant of mantras and the song of the chipmunks.

In the morning of December 29, Rinpoches, lamas, monks and nuns gathered at the Mahabodhi Temple for the Kagyu Mönlam as usual, while the Gyalwa Karmapa started preparations for an empowerment of Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha aspect representing enlightened compassion.