Though the Kagyu Monlam belongs fully to the contemporary world, its roots lie in 15th-century Tibet, where the 7th Karmapa, Chödrak Gyatso, established the tradition of great prayer gatherings. They were based on a text that he compiled, called the Twenty-Branch Monlam. With his nonsectarian vision, the present 17th Karmapa has expanded The Kagyu Monlam Book to include prayers from all Tibetan traditions, and in particular, all Kagyu schools as well as many daily practices, such as supplications to Guru Rinpoche, the 21 Praises of Tara, and prayers for rebirth in the pure realm of Amitabha.
