The word monlam (tib.) consists of two syllables, mon means aspiration or prayer or hope and lam means wa or path, so monlam means path of aspiration and prayers. The highest aspiration is the aspiration which is based on bodhicitta, the wish to reach enlightenment or Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings, to enable all beings to reach Buddhahood. The tradition to recite prayers together stems from the beginning of Buddhism.

Monlam gatherings take place because we believe that the gathering of large numbers of practitioners and their prayers being made in an assembly, multiply and create universal aspirations of good will and harmony.