June 23 - 26, 2007: H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa Visits Geneva, Switzerland
On the 24th and 25th of June 2007, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa
Karmapa visited the Kagyu Dharma center of Lama-Mönlamgyatso in
Geneva, Switzerland. The son of Lama-Ngawangtchötrub Rinpoche and
Sherabzangmo, Lama-Mönlamgyatso has received a lama's education
from his early youth and has been a close disciple of many great Buddhist
masters, including the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Dudjom Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche
and Nyoshül Khenpo Rinpoche.
Due to unfortunate circumstances with travel and flight connections,
His Holiness was unable to attend the scheduled Mahakala puja on the
evening of the 23rd. However, he received a very warm welcome when he
arrived late that evening to Kagyu Shenpen Kunkyab, the European seat
of Lama-Mönlamgyatso.
The following morning, Karmapa Thaye Dorje received a more formal welcoming.
Everyone in the meeting hall, which would be used for the next two days’
events, was given a copy of the long life prayer of His Holiness the
17th Gyalwa Karmapa and of the 14th Kunzig Shamarpa, composed by the
late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. All the traditional offerings of mandala,
body, speech, mind, activity and quality were made in all the usual
pomp and circumstance.
His Holiness then gave a teaching on Buddhist practice followed by the
refuge vow. His Holiness said, “No matter how big the obstacles
we face, we can always overcome. If we analyze our obstacles, it is
not the circumstances but rather attachment to one’s self.”
That evening Karmapa Thaye Dorje gave the Karma Pakshi Empowerment to
around 300 people.
On the evening of the 25th, His Holiness met, once again, with the people
gathered in Geneva through auspices of Lama-Mönlamgyatso to give
the Guru Rinpoche Wang, or the Padmasambhava Empowerment. His Holiness
explained that the purpose of this empowerment was to increase one’s
lifespan in order to be able to further benefit all sentient beings.
“In order to have all the right circumstances in our life, we
first must develop Loving Kindness and Compassion. Through this we are
able to realize our enlightened nature. Once we are able to realize
our own pure qualities, we are able to see all sentient beings are the
same.” His Holiness said. “Traditionally, all beings have
been our mothers since beginingless time. Therefore, the kindness we
receive from our parents is the same as we have received from all beings.
This also shows that all sentient beings have kindness. They have the
Buddha Nature. Even the most ferocious animals can show kindness.”
Report:
Derek Hanger
Photos: Thule G. Jug
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