Arrival to Hong Kong

2.Feb.2009

After a comfortable 3 hours journey from Singapore, finally I arrived at the Hong kong Airport. The Hong Kong airport is very modern and nicely designed. Jenny Tse and one Nun from the Centre were waiting for me there. My disciples and my cousin were also waiting for me there eagerly. I have not been Hong Kong for more than 15 years and there is really a big difference. The difference is that there are a number of new beautiful high rise buildings and fashionable people are everywhere.
I am staying at Hotel Jen which is near to the centre. The hotel is very neat and clean. Most of the other Rinpoches are also staying here, so it is very comfortable to me. I am excited to witness HH Karmapa’s arrival to Hong Kong which finally happened on 3rd of Feb 2009 around 3 PM. HH Karmapa arrived with his usual great compassionate smile that filled everyone there with joy. I met HH Karmapa for the first time just after his arrival to New Delhi when he was very young. Since then, I have had many opportunities to meet him and receive his empowerments and teachings. Together with his many qualities, I always noticed that he has a kind of compassionate appearance that is not just superficial, but you can feel that compassion radiates from deep within his heart. I do not see that kind of compassionate appearance anywhere else.
Bodhi Path Centre in Hong Kong has had a long history of promoting authentic pure Karma Kagyu teachings in Hong Kong and this time they are organizing another great event for HH Karmapa's visit and there are many grand empowerments and teachings from HH Karmapa. I can see from the faces of people whom I met that they are very excited and happy that HH Karmapa had finally arrived and the programme is about to start in Hong Kong.
On the 4th of Feb 2009, HH Karmapa and all the Rinpoches were invited to the Chi Lin Nunnery which is one of the most beautiful temples in Hong Kong. A nun explains the details of the temple to HH Karmapa while we can listen to the explanation from a FM receiver with earphone.
There are many people in Hong Kong who are full of devotion, waiting eagerly for a glimpse of HH Karmapa. Along the walkway into the garden, there were people everywhere, waiting for HH Karmapa to look at them or just get a blessing from him. Even disabled people in wheel chairs are there and were filled with joy upon meeting HH Karmapa. It really touched my heart to see such devotion.
My first few days staying in Hong Kong were really fun as my cousin is staying here. I go to his house for lunch and he also brings me for walks around the city.