談到祈願的緣起，法王說到『祈願』的意義，如同當年佛陀發起菩提心時，供養了一碗粥，雖然只是一小碗粥，但因為清淨的動機及一念熱誠的願心，則能真正地帶給眾生廣大的利益。
HH Karmapa began his talk by clarifying the origins of the reasons and conditions for Monlam, explaining that Monlam means “aspirations”, giving as an example Shakyamuni Buddha. When the Buddha made the aspiration to attain the mind of enlightenment, he offered a simple bowl of soup. A bowl of soup seems a small thing, but he offered it with pure motivation of the ultimate aspiration for enlightenment. So, although small, its blessings pervaded the whole of space and benefited all beings.

相同地，噶舉祈願的成辦力則依賴我們每一個人的清淨動機及熱誠的願心。祈願可以是容易的也可以是困難的。清淨動機意為將自己自私自利的心放在一邊而能全心投入利眾的服務工作。
Similarly, the power and blessings generated by the Kagyu Monlam depend on the pure motivation and aspirations of each individual participant involved. This may seem easy but in fact is not. Pure motivation requires one to put aside individual concerns and work solely for the benefit of all sentient beings, whose numbers are as limitless as space.

在法會開始前，工作人員必須準備好及調適好自己的心態。我們需要一個穩定堅固的基礎及強烈的動機，否則當我們在遇到困難及壓力時，即會很容易地被我們負面的如忿怒、驕傲、我慢等情緒所困擾，如此所須處理的事情也會變得更加的困難，我們也會難於維持我們的初發願心。那麼這也將失去舉辦祈願法會的真正目的。
Participants need to firmly establish this mindset before the Monlam starts. In order to accomplish this, we need a firm, stable foundation and strong motivation. Without this, when we are confronted with difficulties and stress, we will find ourselves prey to the afflictive emotions such as anger, pride or ego-grasping. Without this, it becomes extremely difficult to maintain both our motivation and aspirations, and without that, we will have lost the whole purpose of the Monlam gathering.

清淨強烈的動機必需從初發心開始持續到最後的法會圓滿，如此才能符合初善、中善、及後善。
If pure, strong motivation extends from the very beginning to the very end, so all will be good in the beginning, good in the middle and good at the end.

法王強調：噶舉祈願法會的根本宗旨及精神即是「為感懷本師釋迦牟尼佛之恩德，並祈禱世界的和平安樂」。噶舉祈願法會的價值與意義，所依靠的即是我們的清淨願心及動機，我們應當持續此清淨傳承而使之不受染污，也不要違犯我們的最初發心，我們要帶著這樣的心來舉辦祈願法會。
The purpose and fundamental root of the Kagyu Monlam is to remember the kindness of our Teacher, Buddha Shakyamuni, and to pray for the peace and happiness of all beings with whom we share this world. We are continuing and preserving a pure lineage which we must not blemish.

而這些願心也不應只流於文字表面，應融入於我們的心中，將它化為實際的行動真實地發展出我們的慈悲心。
His Holiness warned that taking his remarks simply as “fine words” is not enough, and asked the Monlam participants to accept the great challenge to put the pure aspiration into practice. We need to integrate these words into our mind stream – developing loving kindness and compassion.

為什麼我們要成立噶舉祈願組織？其目的就是希望能融合及結合眾人的力量，同心協力地一起來為世界和平祈福及為眾生的安樂祈願。集合眾人的力量將這份利益眾生的心貢獻出來。我們要注重在工作當中彼此的融洽，在工作當中要帶著笑容，以和善的語言來對人，這是給眾人尤其是初學者留下好印象的一種方法。 法王希望不僅是可以將祈願法會辦的好，同時也希望每位參與者都能夠融洽，共襄盛舉的來貢獻自己的力量。
In the end it all comes down to our own individual intention, whether it is vast and deep or shallow. Respect and co-operation are also essential so that we can become friends and develop harmony and peace, which can then extend throughout the world. If we become annoyed or angry or speak harshly or walk around with black expressions, we defeat the object of Monlam. Transforming the mind is difficult for beginners; it is easier to modify our speech and behavior. But if we are able to do just this, the purpose of Monlam will be achieved.

法王感性地說道：『從2004年開始，我帶領祈願法會的工作，這是有很多原因，最主要的是因為當時波卡仁波切突然地圓寂，而許多人擔心祈願法會是否能夠持續下去。對自己來說，因為也做了一些準備，再加上波卡仁波切突然圓寂，我覺得自己有一點信心，也裝作有能力，於是就開始了帶領祈願法會的工作。當時我也沒多想什麼，對組織方面也沒任何的經驗，但是因為波卡仁波切－我最敬愛的上師，也因為我是這麼的愛他，就是因為這樣的一念心，我不能夠丟下這一份工作，應該要繼續，所以我沒想太多，也不知道自己是否有能力，便就這樣地全心投入了。』
His Holiness recalled that he began working for the Kagyu Monlam after Bokar Rinpoche had passed away in 2004, stating: “At that time there was a question whether the Monlam would continue or not. I had already been preparing myself for the Monlam. Even though I had no organizational experience, I took up the challenge, out of a feeling that I had a close relationship with Bokar Rinpoche, and because I have so much support. When I look back over the past few Kagyu Monlams in which I participated, I feel we still have a lot to accomplish and a long way to go.

在我們生命當中如果沒有具義的成果，則將是令人深感遺憾的！
It would be disappointing if yet another year of our lives were to go by without bearing fruit.

因此，感懷本師釋迦牟尼佛之恩德，我們要將利眾之願心謹慎守護於心，讓我們貢獻自身於祈願法會的真正目的－為世界和平安樂而祈願。
So, while remembering the kindness of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha, and holding the benefit of all sentient beings firmly in our minds, let us dedicate ourselves to the root cause of the Monlam gathering for world peace, harmony and happiness for all.” – Tashi Paljor