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Time Line of H.H. the 17th Karmapa’s European Tour 2004
Friday 28. May 2004, Malaga
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje, His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche and the accompanying party of Rinpoches, lamas and monks arrived at Malaga. This marked the start of Karmapa’s dharma tour in Europe. Lama Ole, Hannah Nydahl and a large number of dharma students from around the world greeted them at Malaga airport.
Saturday 29. May 2004: Karma Guen, Spain
H.H. Karmapa inaugurated the new Gompa at the Karma Guen Diamond Way Buddhist Center, near Malaga. H.H. Shamar Rinpoche, Jigme Rinpoche, Shangpa Rinpoche and over 2,500 guests and dharma students from around the world attended the event. The inauguration was followed by Lama dances performed by monks from Rumtek monastery and an official reception and lunch with the mayors of Benalmadena and Velez Malaga. Later that day Gyalwa Karmapa performed the Mahakala Puja with over 2,500 people present.
Sunday 30. May 2004: Karma Guen, Spain
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Mahakala Empowerment, then blessed and opened the Mahakala room in Karma Guen. Again 2,500 people were present. A meeting with representatives from the Diamond Way Buddhist centers from around the world followed the empowerment. Dharma students from the US, Latin America, Australia and from all over Europe had a chance to introduce their Dharma work and their centers to Karmapa.
Monday 31. May 2004: Karma Guen, Spain
The Mayor of Velez-Malaga and the city government hosted a reception for Gyalwa Karmapa. H.H. Karmapa was given the title of honorary citizen of the historic city of Velez-Malaga. After the official meeting H.H. Karmapa met representatives of the local press for short interviews.
Friday 4. June 2004: Karma Guen, Spain
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the initiation of Amitayus, the Buddha of Limitless Life. 2,500 people were in attendance.
Saturday 5. June 2004: Benalmadena, Spain
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the initiations of Chenrezig, Loving Eyes, at the stupa in Benalmadena. The stupa was built by Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche and inaugurated by H.H. Shamar Rinpoche in October 2003. The event was followed by a lunch reception hosted by the organizers.
Monday 7. June 2004: Munich, Germany
Lama Ole, Hannah Nydahl, the organizers of the European tour and the party of lamas and monks, accompanied H.H. Karmapa from Spain to Germany. The Diamond Way Buddhist Center in Munich greeted Gyalwa Karmapa with a welcoming ceremony. Members of the center showed a video presentation of their project for a future Diamond Way Center in Munich. The short, high-tech video was well received by H.H. Karmapa and his party. After the brief visit to the center in Munich, Gyalwa Karmapa and the accompanying party continued to the city of Passau where the H.H. Karmapa was welcomed by the Diamond Way Buddhist center in the city.
Tuesday 8. June 2004: Passau, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the initiation of Manjushri, Wisdom Buddha, to 1,200 people at the main city hall in Passau.
Wednesday 9. June 2004: Travel day, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa visited the medieval city of Rothenberg ob der Tauber, in South Germany. H.H. Karmapa then continued to Heidelberg, where he was welcomed by the Heidelberg Diamond Way Buddhist Center. Seventeen centers of the Middle Rhine region of Germany introduced their dharma work to Gyalwa Karmapa.
Thursday 10. June 2004: Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the initiation of White Tara to 2,400 people in Mannheim, near Heidelberg, Germany.
Friday 11. June 2004: Hamburg, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa attended an official ceremony celebrating “25 Years of the Hamburg Buddhist Center”. Gyalwa Karmapa, the district mayor of Hamburg, Lama Ole, members of the city senate, the protestant Bishop of Hamburg, and a representative from the German Buddhist Union gave speeches at the ceremony. The event closed with Lama dances performed by monks from Rumtek monastery. The local media extensively reported the celebrations.
Saturday 12. June 2004: Braunschweig, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa visited the Diamond Way Buddhist Center in Braunschweig, where he gave the Lung (reading transmission) for the Mahamudra wishes of the 3rd Karmapa. The Braunschweig center members introduced Karmapa to their huge project of rebuilding and converting a former factory into a Buddhist center. H.H. Karmapa gave the project his full support and encouragement.
Sunday 13. June 2004: Hamburg, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Marpa initiation to 1,800 people in Hamburg. The initiation was followed by an official dinner at the Hamburg Diamond Way Buddhist Center with 250 guests.
Monday 14. June 2004: Kiel, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa visited the Diamond Way Buddhist Center in Kiel. He toured the places where H.H. 16th Karmapa, his predecessor, had given the Black Crown Ceremony in 1977. The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa also gave the Lung for the Mahamudra wishes of the 3rd Karmapa. H.H. Karmapa was interviewed by “Kieler Nachrichten”, the biggest newspaper in Kiel. Later that day, H.H. Karmapa returned to the Hamburg Buddhist Center and gave blessings to the local children.
Tuesday-Wednesday 15.-16. June 2004: Zurich, and Amden Switzerland
Gyalwa Karmapa arrived in Zurich, where a welcome ceremony was given at the Zurich Diamond Way Buddhist Center. A blessing of the Stupa followed the ceremony. After the blessing, H.H. Karmapa and his party travelled to the Amden retreat center, near Zurich.
The Mayor of Amden was present for the blessing of the Stupa at the retreat center. Later, Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Marpa initiation and the Bodhisattva promise to 1,200 people in Albisguetli Hall in Zurich.
Thursday 17. June 2004: Rødby, Denmark
Gyalwa Karmapa and his party, accompanied by Lama Ole and Hannah Nydahl, travelled to Rødby, Denmark. H.H. Karmapa was greeted with a welcoming ceremony at the Rødby retreat center.
Friday 18. June 2004: Rodby, Denmark
Gyalwa Karmapa inaugurated the Mahakala room and gave the first part of the Demchok initiation to those who had completed Ngöndro, the Foundational Practices. 350 people received the initiation.
Saturday 19. June 2004: Rodby, Denmark
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the second part of the Demchok initiation. H.H. Karmapa also gave the initiation of Amitayus, the Buddha of Limitless Life, and the Bodhisattva promise to 800 Dharma students from Denmark and other parts of Europe.
Sunday 20. June 2004: Copenhagen, Denmark
Gyalwa Karmapa and his party of lamas and monks travelled to the Diamond Way Buddhist Center in Copenhagen. Karmapa gave a forty-minute-long television interview with the biggest TV station in Denmark.
Monday 21. June 2004: Prague, Czech Republic
Gyalwa Karmapa, Lama Ole and Hannah Nydahl and party arrived in Prague. It was H.H. Karmapa’s first visit to this country. Representatives of the 34 Diamond Way Buddhist centers in the Czech Republic greeted H.H. Karmapa. Lama Ole gave a public lecture to the hundreds of people who arrived to take part in the program.
Tuesday 22. June 2004: Prague, Czech Republic
Gyalwa Karmapa visited the new Diamond Way Buddhist center in Prague and had lunch with members of the Czech Sangha while sailing on a boat on the Moldau River. Later, H.H. Karmapa gave the Dorje Sempa, Diamond Mind, initiation to over 1,500 people in the largest concert hall in Prague. There were also hundreds of dharma students from several other Eastern European countries in attendance at the initiation.
Wednesday 23. June 2004:Brno, Czech Republic
H.H. Karmapa gave the Bodhisattva promise to over 1,500 people. H.H. Karmapa, Lama Ole, Hannah Nydahl and a party of 40 travelled to Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, where Gyalwa Karmapa was welcomed in the Diamond Way Buddhist Center. Later H.H. Karmapa gave an interview to a Czech Radio station.
The journey continued to Hungary where H.H. Karmapa and the accompanying party stayed at the Diamond Way Buddhist Center in Budapest. Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Lung of the 3rd Karmapa’s Mahamudra wishes to over 500 Dharma students from Hungary.
Thursday 24. June 2004: Graz, Austria
Gyalwa Karmapa travelled to Graz, Austria with Lama Ole, Hannah Nydahl and the accompanying party. In Graz H.H. Karmapa gave theMilarepa initiation to 1,600 dharma students from Austria and other parts of Europe.
Sunday 26.-27. June 2004: Graz, Austria
Khenpo Chödrag Tenphel Rinpoche, the spiritual director of the studies and meditation program and the practitioners welcomed the 17th Karmapa, Trinlay Thaye Dorje in the Karma Kagyü Sangha (KKS) Buddhist center. Later Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Lung for two important texts and practiced the Mahakala ritual with members of the center attending.
On Sunday morning children of the Sangha enjoyed an audience with Gyalwa Karmapa. Subsequently something took places which was rightfully termed a “centennial event” by Khenpo Chödrag Rinpoche: According to the Tibetan calendar this day was the birthday of Guru Rinpoche as well as his chief female disciple Yeshe Tsogyal. Furthermore, in the present Tibetan year of the Monkey, from a Tibetan astrological point of view, this day was a so-called “Day of the Monkey”, which is very rare and said to be very auspicious. On such days the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa always used to celebrate a Ganachakra. The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa celebrated the Karma Pakshi Ganachakra with members of KKS.
In the afternoon Gyalwa Karmapa gave a public teaching on the „Four Noble Truths, a way to bliss”. Afterwards he bestowed the empowerment as well as the reading transmission on the Green Tara in the tradition of the 1st Karmapa.
Monday 28. June 2004: Paris, France
Gyalwa Karmapa gave refuge vows and the empowerment of Chenrezig to about 1000 people in Paris. The transmission was introduced by a general presentation on Buddhism by Jean Pierre Schnetzler, president of the FFCBK (Fédération Française des Centers Bouddhiste Karma-Kagyu).
Tuesday 29. June 2004: Karmapa Mikyö Dorje Center, Gulina, Spain
The visit of H.H. Karmapa was preceded and announced by the arrival of Karmapa's monks from Rumtek Monastery, who had performed a ritual of sacred dances in May.
H.H. Karmapa arrived at the KMD Center, Gulina, where he was received by his parents, Dechen Wangmo and Mipham Rinpoche, as well as by the Venerable Lama Teunsang and the Venerable Lama Chogdrup Dorje (director of the Center) and by Buddhists practitioners from Spain and France.
After lunch His Holiness blessed the Center, the surrounding land and the site where the future monastery will be built. H.H. Karmapa then went to Pamplona (Hotel Iruña Park) where the wife and sons of the founder of the KMD Center, Jesús Javier Juanotena made an offering and a request for the long life for His Holiness. H.H. Karmapa gave refuge and the Dorje Sempa empowerment to the many Buddhist practitioners who had come from all over Spain and parts of France to take part in this important event.
In the evening, H.H. Karmapa led the Mahakala practice in the privacy of the KMD Center.
Wednesday 30. June, after giving valuable dharma guidance and advice to the members of the KMD Center, H.H. Karmapa returned to Pamplona, where the Buddhist practitioners present had the opportunity to receive the Bodhisattva Vow from His Holiness.
Wednesday 30. June 2004: San Sebastian, Spain
His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa, along with the lamas of his entourage, his parents Mipham Rinpoche and Mayum, and Trinlay Tulku arrived in San Sebastian. The party stayed at the Hotel Maria Cristina, where the ceremonies took place. H.H. Karmapa visited the Buddhist Center, received kataks and gave blessings in the center where Dharma practice and teachings have been going on for the last 22 years. Thereafter, a welcome lunch was offered to His Holiness, the accompanying lamas and 80 members of the Dharma community.
In the afternoon Trinlay Tulku gave teachings on love and compassion. Trinlay Tulku’s lecture was attended by over 300 people, including 50 French Buddhists from the Cotte Basque.
In the evening His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Chenresig Empowerment followed by explanations. Around 400 people were present and over a 100 took refuge. A deep feeling of love touched the hearts of those gathered and the place was completely filled with the warmth of His Holiness’ blessing.
The first visit of H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa to San Sebastian was well covered by the local media and had a positive impact in the local press. Local newspapers and radio covered the visit extensively. A local television station broadcasted an interview with Trinlay Tulku.
Thursday 1. July 2004: Cerence, France
The "Yoga & Famille Association" received H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa. H.H. Karmapa visited the facilities and blessed the premises of the Association.
Around 120 people offered kataks and received a blessing from His Holiness. Later on, His Holiness and all lamas, including Lama Teunsang, performed the daily Mahakala Puja. In the evening H.H. Karmapa gave teachings on compassion. His Holiness’ Dharma lecture was translated by Trinlay Tulku. During his visit, H.H. Karmapa named the "Yoga & Famille Association" ‘Karma Samten Ling’.
Friday-Sunday 2-4. July 2004: Yoga Dharma de Babylone, France
H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa arrived with the Duche Sangha from Rumtek and Lama Teunsang. He granted the empowerment of White Tara to the audience on Friday and the Vajrapani-Hayagriva-Garuda initiation on Saturday. On Sunday morning His Holiness gave the Bodhisattva Vow. The consecration and blessing of the center followed and. H.H. Karmapa named the center “Karma Öser Ling”. The monk dancers performed holy dances. Those present at the dances included the Venerable Father Deschamp of the Abbey of St. Wandrille and a local deputy. 250 people attended the ceremonies each day.
Monday-Tuesday 5.-6. July 2004: Kundreul Ling, France
Gyalwa Karmapa arrived at 3:00 PM. A hundred people present received a blessing from His Holiness in a peaceful and joyful atmosphere. In the evening His Holiness performed the Mahakala Puja.
Wednesday 7. July 2004: Kagyü Shenpen Künkyab, Anières, near Geneva, Switzerland
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa performed a Mahakala Puja in the presence of about a hundred guests and Dharma practitioners.
Thursday 8. July 2004: Kagyü Shenpen Künkyab, downtown Geneva
In the morning, Gyalwa Karmapa gave refuge and Bodhisattva vows. Lama Mönlam and Dharma students offered a Mandala and the support of body, speech and mind as well as long life prayers to H.H. Karmapa. Gyalwa Karmapa blessed those present. In the afternoon, H.H. gave the initiation of Vajrapani-Hayagriva-Garuda.
Nearly 800 people from all over Europe, as well as from North and South America and other countries, attended the events on that day.
Auspicious signs manifested over the center at Anières. While the Gyalwa Karmapa went to Geneva, a complete and double rainbow adorned the sky above the city.
Friday 9. July 2004: Karma Migyur Ling, France
In the morning, Lama Teunsang and all his followers received His Holiness the 17th Karmapa with a welcome ceremony.
In the afternoon, H.H. Karmapa gave the empowerment of Karma Pakshi, the second Karmapa, to an audience of 500 people from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and other countries. The two Nedön Tulku, Lama Teunsang from Montchardon (Karma Migyur Ling) and 14 monks from Rumtek Monastery attended the ceremony.
Saturday 10. July 2004: Karma Migyur Ling, France
In the morning, Nedön Tulku, the Vajracarya of Rumtek Monastery, gave his first public teaching in the West. In the afternoon, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa gave the empowerment of the three aspects of Hayagriva, Vajrapani and Garuda. There were around 650 people present at the ceremony.
In the evening, His Holiness accompanied by all his monks joined a Mahakala puja in the Temple of 1000 Buddhas of Karma Migyur Ling and the participants received the traditional offering of rice and tea.
Sunday 11. July 2004: Karma Migyur Ling, France
In the morning, Nedön Tulku continued with his teachings on the basic principles of Buddhism. Many people attended the teachings and had a chance to appreciate H.H. Karmapa’s brilliant way of explaining the Dharma.
In the afternoon, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa gave the Bodhisattva Vow to an audience of 650 people gathered in the tent for this occasion. His Holiness concluded his visit to Karma Migyur Ling, Montchardon, by giving precious advice for Dharma practice and expressing his great satisfaction with the fulfilment of all the Dharma activities that had taken place under the guidance of Lama Teunsang. His Holiness also expressed his wishes for the construction of the new retreat center.
Monday 12. July 2004: Karma Migyur Ling, France
In the morning, Lama Teunsang and his disciples wished farewell to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa who continued to Dhagpo Kagyu Ling.
Tuesday 13. July 2004: Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, France
The stay at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling began with great dignity in the presence of Monsieur Wisselmann, the Sous-Préfet of Sarlat-la-Canéda, and Monsignor Mouisse, Bishop of Périgueux. Several high lamas, including Nendo Rinpoche, Khenpo Chödrak Tenphel Rinpoche, and Jigme Rinpoche, Gyalwa Karmapa’s European representative, were present, in addition to the monks of Zimchung Monastery of Sikkim, India, and the lamas and druplas of the French monastic hermitage Kundreul Ling. Mayors of neighbouring towns, representatives of the local government and of the Catholic Church, including the Episcopal vicar of Périgueux and several other priests, also joined for the opening ceremonies.
During their opening speeches, Monsignor Mouisse expressed the importance of encouraging communication between the Buddhist and Christian traditions, and Monsieur Wisselmann stressed how very essential the tradition of religious freedom is in France. While thanking the French Republic for having opened its doors to Tibetan Buddhism when its very existence was threatened, the Gyalwa Karmapa defined the true meaning of all authentic spiritual paths as the development of peace and tolerance.
H.H. Karmapa’s teachings focused on two aspects of the awakened mind: intention and application. In this context he spoke about the six paramitas. Over 1,000 people convened for this first day of the ceremony. Many of those present had been supporting Dhagpo Kagyu Ling for years.
The afternoon began with a Karma Pakshi ritual offering (Tsok), led by the monks from Zimchung Monastery and the Sangha of Kundreul Ling in the presence of Khenpo Chödrak Tenphel Rinpoche and 1,000 practitioners. As Umze Yeshe guided the prayers and chants, everyone joined in by practicing guru yoga or reciting the “Karmapa Chenno” mantra.
At the same time, H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa, accompanied by Jigme Rinpoche and representatives of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, consecrated the foundations of the Institute building. In 2002, H.H. Karmapa and Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche had blessed the site and laid the foundation stone for the building that is designed to house teachings, studies and the conservation of Buddhist texts. The Institute will allow the development of two main activities, the Shedra (college) and library; and public teachings. This project, which remained for several years in the planning stage, is now becoming a reality thanks to the generosity of a growing number of benefactors.
Wednesday 14. July 2004: Dhagpo Dedrol Ling and Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, France
In the morning, Dhagpo Dedrol Ling, a layperson’s retreat center in Dordogne founded by Gendun Rinpoche, welcomed H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa. Once he had visited the Drupkang (traditional three-year retreat center), H.H. Karmapa Thaye Dorje gave the Amitabha empowerment to the twelve practitioners in retreat. He then consecrated substances and mantras to be placed inside a Buddha statue that would adorn the new temple. The Karmapa himself placed the Soching – a carved wooden column measuring 1.2 meters high – inside the statue.
Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje then answered questions from the hundred people present. Many different subjects were covered, for example, the state of mind that should be cultivated in a Dharma center and how to find a balance between activity and meditation. Finally, before heading back to Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, the Gyalwa Karmapa met with practitioners in retreat.
In the afternoon, after having given refuge to several dozen people, the Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Green Tara empowerment in a huge tent erected for the occasion. Well over a thousand practitioners received Gyalwa Karmapa’s blessing, thus establishing an auspicious connection with Green Tara, The One Who Liberates.
H.H. Karmapa was accompanied by Mipham Rinpoche, Mayumla, Nendo Rinpoche, Khenpo Chödrak Tenphel Rinpoche, Jigme Rinpoche, the monks of Zimchung monastery, and members of the Kundreul Ling and Dhagpo Kagyu Ling Sangha.
Thursday 15. July 2004: Dhagpo Dargye Ling, France
The Marpa Empowerment, seldom given in the West, was given by Gyalwa Karmapa on the afternoon of July 15. Once again, the group of high lamas and over one thousand people convened to receive this rare initiation.
To wind up these three days of blessing and joy with Gyalwa Karmapa, the director of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling and the drupla responsible for the Karme Dharma Chakra offered a symbolic mandala of the universe in the name of all present, as well as objects representing enlightened body, speech and mind.
Before leaving, Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje asked everyone to make the most of their precious human existence by fully directing their energy into Dharma practice.
Wednesday 16. July 2004: Perpignan, France
A welcome lunch reception was given for Gyalwa Karmapa and representatives from KTT, Jigme Rinpoche, lamas and druplas. The reception was followed by a short interview with the French press and TV-France3Sud. An inter-religious meeting in the temple took place with the Sangha and about 350 people followed by short teachings on love and compassion.
The official guests present were: Maurice Halimi, Vice-Mayor of the town, representing Judaism; Father Jean-Baptiste Blondeau, representing the Catholics; Doctor Ahmad Akkari, Member of the Town Council, representing the Muslims; Father Jean-Marie Bricout, representing the Greek Orthodox Church; Mrs. Raymonde Debosc, representing the Reformist Church; Mrs. Pages, Vice-Mayor of the town, representing the city; Mr. Lecler, representing the Prefect (local representative of the French Government); Mr. Calviac, representing the City Council; Mr. Dheur, representing the Nyingmapa Tibetan Buddhist School; Mr. Felici, Head of City Protocol.
The ceremonies were followed by a garden party and a Mahakala Puja attended by the Sangha. In the evening His Holiness gave the Karma Pakshi initiation to about 450 people.
Saturday 17. July 2004: Cannes, France
His Holiness gave the Hayagriva empowerment and later in the evening presided over the lama dances performed by the Rumtek monks. Both events took place at the Théâtre Noga Croisette, Hôtel Noga Hilton, Cannes. Over 600 people attended. During the dinner break, His Holiness met the mayor of the City of Cannes, and other figures from French public and business life.
Sunday-Monday 18.-19. July 2004: Cannes, Institut Karmapa France
His Holiness was received by 350 people waiting for his arrival at the Cannes Institut Karmapa. Nendo Rinpoche gave teachings on the basics of Buddha Dharma. In the afternoon, Gyalwa Karmapa gave the initiation of Manjushri Naseng. Lama Jigme Rinpoche, Nendo Rinpoche, His Holiness’s close entourage, and 350 people attended the empowerment. On Monday, His Holiness and the Sangha performed a ritual to bless the temple of Valderoure.
Tuesday 20. July 2004: Brescia, Italy
Gyalwa Karmapa arrived from Nice in Brescia, Italy, accompanied by his entourage and Lama Könchog Luigi, president and resident lama of Karma Tegsum Cho Ling, Brescia. In the evening a public event took place in the Auditorium San Barnaba, Brescia, with 400 guests filling the church auditorium.
The opening speech was delivered by the Lord Mayor of Brescia, Prof. Paolo Corsini and the welcome greetings by the representative of the Bishop of Brescia, Monsignor Lucio Cuneo, vicar Episcopal for inter-religious relations in Brescia.
H.H. Karmapa gave a lecture on Bodhicitta entitled "The importance of love and compassion today as a means to realise peace". H.H. Karmapa completed the first evening by giving the Bodhisattva Vow and a blessing to the 400 people present.
Wednesday 21. July 2004: Brescia, Italy
In the morning H.H. Karmapa visited and blessed the Diamond Way center in Brescia. In the afternoon H.H. Karmapa arrived at "Karma Teksum Cho Ling" in Brescia for a press conference which was followed by a meeting with children and parents, members of the center. H.H. Karmapa blessed the center and placed the Namkhyen Gyaldar flag (Karmapa flag) on the balcony of the center. H.H. Karmapa met with the members of the center in the Lakhang and an offering to H.H. Karmapa, the Rinpoches and the lamas concluded the visit.
In the evening, His Holiness continued with the teachings on Bodhicitta from the previous day. Again 400 guests filled the church auditorium. His Holiness Karmapa gave Refuge to over 90 people and gave the Chenrezig empowerment. The event was concluded by dedicating the merit and offering the enlightened body, speech and mind to H.H. Karmapa.
Thursday 22. July 2004: Bordo, Italy
Early in the morning H.H. Karmapa and his entourage left Brescia by way of Domodossola, to the Karma Kagyu Buddhist Center of Bordo in the Italian Alps. From Domodossola H.H. Karmapa flew by helicopter to Pianeza, a future retreat place near Bordo, accompanied by Trinlay Tulku and Lama Tashi Andreas. From Pianeza H.H. flew to Riviera where he took a twenty-minute walk to the Buddhist Center of Bordo.
In the early afternoon Ven. Lama Jigme Rinpoche gave teachings and Gyalwa Karmapa blessed the local village. A Mahakala Puja was preformed by Jigme Rinpoche and the assembly of Lamas.
In the evening Gyalwa Karmapa met with local dignitaries and authorities. An offering of the mandala and enlightened body, speech and mind was performed and His Holiness gave the Green Tara empowerment.
In the morning of Friday 23 July H.H. Karmapa departed from Bordo for Warsaw, Poland.
Friday 23. July 2004: Warsaw, Poland
Gyalwa Karmapa arrived in Warsaw, Poland where he visited the Diamond Way Buddhist centre ‘Stupa House’. The Stupa House is currently under construction, being transformed into a beautiful center in the heart of the city. H.H. Karmapa and other guests were shown a video presentation that chronicled the four years of construction of the “Stupa House” center.
Sunday 25. July 2004: Kuchary, Poland
Gyalwa Karmapa travelled to the retreat center in Kuchary near Warsaw. Upon arrival H.H. Karmapa was interviewed by a local TV station and by “Przekroj”, the largest weekly magazine in Poland. Later, H.H. Karmapa gave the first part of the Demchok Initiation to those who had finished Ngöndro, the Foundational Practices. 300 Dharma practitioners received the initiation.
Monday 26. July 2004: Kuchary, Poland
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the second part of the Demchok Initiation to those who had completed Ngöndro. H.H. Karmapa also gave the Initiation of Amitabha, the Buddha of Limitless Light, and the Bodhisattva promise to 3,000 Polish and Eastern European Dharma students.
Tuesday 27. July 2004 [Birthday of Guru Rinpoche]: Kuchary, Poland
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Karma Pakshi initiation to 3,000 people. A meeting with representatives of the Diamond Way Buddhist centers from Eastern Europe followed. Several hundred dharma students from all corners of Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania and other Eastern European countries enthusiastically informed H.H. Karmapa about the Dharma activity in their respective countries. Gyalwa Karmapa thanked all present for their hard work and expressed a wish to visit their countries in the near future.
Wednesday 28. July 2004: Warsaw, Poland – Kassel, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa and his party travelled to Frankfurt, Germany. H.H. Karmapa arrived at the summer camp near Kassel, Immenhausen where nearly 2,000 Dharma students waited to receive him.
Thursday 29. July 2004:Kassel-Immenhausen, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Initiation of Amitabha, the Buddha of Limitless Light, and the Bodhisattva promise to 2,200 Dharma practitioners from Germany and around the world.
Friday 30. July 2004: Kassel-Immenhausen, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Karma Pakshi initiation to over 2,700 people. He later met the Board of Directors of the Diamond Way Foundation where he was acquainted with the Foundation’s work and future projects. H.H. Karmapa expressed his full support for the Foundation’s activity.
Saturday 31. July 2004: Kassel-Immenhausen, Germany
Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Chenrezig, Loving Eyes, Initiation and the Bodhisattva Promise to over 3,000 dharma students. Later, Gyalwa Karmapa blessed and initiated the 72-hour meditation on Chenrezig, Loving Eyes, inspiring his students to recite the Om Mani Peme Hung mantra. H.H. the 17th Karmapa concluded his program in Kassel by thanking Lama Ole and the thousands of students he had met on his tour for their hard work for the Dharma. He expressed his full support for the development and vision of the Diamond Way centers and his strong wish to return to Europe the following year.