June 15 - 18, 2007: H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa Visits Prague, Czech Republic
On the 16th and 17th of June, 2007 His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa
Trinley Thaye Dorje visited Prague, Czech Republic.
On the evening of the evening of the 16th His Holiness gave a pith teaching
on Karma along with the bodhisattva promise and an oral transmission
of The Mahamudra Prayer, which he said contained a condensed method
to the key of unlocking the nature of mind. His Holiness elucidated
the meaning of Karma to some three thousand eager listeners at the T-Mobile
Arena. He began by simply explaining cause and effect in a universal
way. He said, “We need to look at it generally in our lives, whether
we are Buddhist or not. We all strive and wish for our happiness. We
want to be free from any type of suffering. One doesn’t wish to
experience any kind of difficult circumstances or uncomfortable situations.
In order to achieve that goal there are various methods and ways known
throughout history. From a Buddhist point of view, the only way to achieve
that outcome is to understand cause and effect.” His Holiness
went on to explain, “The reason why we face difficulties is because
of our negative intentions. Intention and motivation play a huge role.
When we talk about self interest, one must use harmful and afflicting
emotions to serve that self.
In this case, in order to satisfy one’s self, one would be compelled
to engage in the thought of attachment or desire. If one faces uncomfortable
situations we use anger as a tool to defend one’s self. As long
as we use these afflicting emotions we do not see the way things really
are and we are constantly ignorant. Therefore, negative actions are
done out of the three poisons.” Karmapa Thaye Dorje put in plain
words the ways that karma is manifested through body, speech and mind
and he went into deeper explanations with the 10 non-virtues. This later
wound its way into a discourse on the notion of “No –Self”
or “Emptiness”, which His Holiness described in another
way. “Empty is the common term,” He said, “but it
is not as though it does not exist at all but that it is free of itself.”
His Holiness concluded the teaching session with question and answers
with the audience.
The next morning His Holiness met representatives of the Czech sangha.
There was a presentation on the growth and expansion of the Karma Kagyu
Sangha in the Czech Republic in the large scope and by each individual
center. Each center went into detail on the development and construction
new retreat centers, stupas etc. Everyone offered a gift to His Holiness
before they queued up for blessing. His Holiness gave advice and encouragement
to all. He said that it was inspiring that “each and every individual
contributes in every way that you can.” There are currently 48
Karma Kagyu Buddhist Centers in the Czech Republic.
On the evening of the 17th, Karmapa Thaye Dorje gave the Guru Yoga Empowerment
of Karma Pakshi, the second Karmapa. Over three thousand people had
gathered for this empowerment including the mayor of Prague himself,
Mr. Pavel Bem, whom His Holiness had the privilege of meeting with earlier
that day in an official invitation by the city of Prague. His Holiness
thanked everyone for taking the time out of their busy schedules to
be there that evening and gave special thanks to the “Lord Mayor
Mr. Pavel Bem.”
Report:
Derek Hanger
Photos: Peter Cerveny
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