A new logo of the Kagyu Monlam designed
by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

There is a new logo for the Monlam this year, and I would like to explain it.
今年祈願法會啟用了新標誌，所以我要解釋一下這個標誌的緣起和意義。

Throughout my life I have always felt that the outer natural elements and my own mind are close. I have a special connection with the four elements. I am not being superstitious and saying I can talk to the elements, but sometimes it feels that way.
平時，在生活中，我對於大自然有一種很親切的感覺，好像和四大有所溝通一樣。這聽起來似乎有點迷信，但卻是我的感覺。

Ever since the human race first appeared on this earth, we have used this earth heavily. It is said that ninety-nine percent of the resources and so on in this world come from the natural environment. We are using the earth until she is used up. The earth has given us immeasurable benefit,
世界自有人類以來，我們就一直大量使用著世界的資源。到目前為止，世界給予我們生存所須的種種物質，各種寶礦、食物……等。根據一些說法，我們使用的資源有百分之九十九來自大自然。總之，我們無止盡的使用著這個世界，而這個世界也給予了我們無量的利益。

But what have we done for the earth in return? We always ask for something from the earth, but never give her anything back. We never have loving or protective thoughts for the earth. Whenever trees or anything else emerge from the ground, we cut them down. If there is a bit of level earth, we fight over it. To this day we perpetuate a continuous cycle of war and conflict over it. In fact, we have not done much of anything for the earth.
但是，我們為世界做了些甚麼呢？除了等待著使用這個世界之外，我們付出的很少，更沒有用愛心去關懷地球、去保護地球，甚至只要地上長出了一些樹木，我們就急著把它們全部砍掉。只要有一小塊土地，我們就為了地盤而你爭我奪的，爭鬥不休，至今寫下了無數血與火的歷史。總之，世界給予我們很大的恩惠，但是我們對世界的貢獻卻相當少。

Now the time has come when the earth is scowling at us; the time has come when the earth is giving up on us. The earth is about to treat us badly and give up on us. If she gives up on us, where can we live? There is talk of going to other planets that could support life, but only a few rich people could go. What would happen to all of us sentient beings who could not go?
現在，世界板起臉來了，可能很快就要捨棄我們、讓我們遭受痛苦了。如果世界捨棄了我們，我們要生存在哪裡呢？我們時常談論到移居其他星球，但這可能只有大富大貴的人才做得到，不是所有的人都有辦法去的。

What should we do now that the situation has become so critical? The sentient beings living on the earth and the elements of the natural world need to join their hands together—the earth must not give up on sentient beings, and sentient beings must not give up on the earth. Each needs to grasp the other’s hand. So doesn’t the Monlam logo look like two hands clasping each other?
因此，在這緊要的關頭，該是有情生命與大自然界牽手共行的時候了！這世界不捨棄我們，我們也不捨棄世界。因此，這個標誌logo的形狀，就像兩隻手緊握在一起。這是它所代表的意義之一。

Its shape is also similar to the design of the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa’s Dream Flag of peace and serenity, which is used regularly among the Karma Kamtsang. If I were to make up everything myself, I doubt it would have any blessings, but using the previous Karmapa’s design as a model probably gives this blessings.
另外，這個標誌的形狀，類似第十六世大寶法王所做造的夢旗或「寂靜旗」的圖案，所以這不完全是我自己的創作。這是上一輩子大德開啟的圖案，因此我相信是比較有加持力的。

This is a symbol of the Kagyu Monlam. We hold the Kagyu Monlam for the benefit of the entire world. We will not give up on the earth! May there be peace on earth! May the earth be sustained for many thousands of years! These are the prayers we make at the Kagyu Monlam, which is why this symbol is the logo of the Kagyu Monlam. I also think this might become a symbol of people having affection for the earth and wanting to protect it.
這標誌代表祈願法會，因為祈願法會是為了世界和平而舉辦的。在法會中，我們發願不捨棄世界；我們祈願世界和平，也祈願世界久住萬歲。我們如此地祈願著，因此這標誌是祈願法會的代表。同時，這也代表每一個有心保護與關懷世界和平的人。

Now I will boast a bit. As I mentioned before, I am the one who designed this logo. I have the strong feeling that I am connected to the natural elements. Technological devices do not agree with me. I feel most comfortable using natural things. When I use technological devices, my body feels rather uncomfortable, although I have no choice but to use them.
更大膽的說，這個標誌的製作人是我。如同之前提到的，我對大自然有一種非常親密、非常親切的感受，然而比較不適應那些電器。一有電器在身旁，就覺得有些不舒服，但又不得不用。

Both the body and mind are strongly connected to the unaltered, natural elements. Because I made this logo, I think it could probably provide some protection against dangers from the natural elements of the external world. But do not think that this logo alone will protect you: if you jump into fire or water while wearing it, you will still die. It is first and foremost a symbol that we are not giving up on the earth. Thank you!
總之，我的身心比較適應那些自然的事物。由於這個標誌是由像我這樣的一個人設計的，各位配帶這個標誌時，就如同跟大自然結下一個好緣，有助護身不受四大侵擾。雖然這麼說，但請不要以為帶著標誌就水火不侵，如果你跳入火中或水中還是會死的！這個標誌主要是一個代表，代表我們不捨棄世界。