Source: The Buddhist Channel/New Kerala News

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=1,2175,0,0,1,0

On January 8, 2006 New Kerala News reported, "Hundreds of Buddhist monks from India and abroad offered special prayers at Bodh Gaya, the birthplace of Buddhism, for world peace. The 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the spiritual head of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhists, led the prayers Saturday at the Mahabodhi Mahavihara in the Bihar town about 110 km from here. The prayers are part of an eight-day annual Kagyu Monlam Chenmo ceremony of Tibetan Buddhists. 'The prayers for world peace will continue under the holy banyan tree known as Mahabodhi tree,' an official said. The Buddha attained enlightenment some 2,500 years ago under the tree."