Karmapa in Europe

August 24, 2015

Thousands of students came to receive teachings from Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, in Europe during his 2015 visit. Karmapa visited Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in France and the Europe Center in Germany.

Karmapa in France

Karmapa spent five days in France in July to celebrate the forty years of activity begun by his predecessor, the 16th Karmapa. At the Dhagpo Kagu Ling Buddhist Center in the south of France, Karmapa gave teachings and an empowerment to two thousand people. Seated on a throne decorated with the same brocade from the Black Crown ceremony performed by the 16th Karmapa in the 1970s, Karmapa gave Buddhist Refuge and the Bodhisattva Vow.

During the course he also taught on compassion, gave an empowerment on Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, and led sessions of meditation. On the last day, Karmapa consecrated the Institute and led a commemoration of his late teacher, His Holiness the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche.

Karmapa in Germany

In south Germany at the Europe Center, the main center for the Diamond Way organisation, Karmapa spent eight days giving teachings and two empowerments. He consecrated the new meditation hall and buildings along with local dignitaries and representatives from the German Buddhist Union.

Karmapa gave teachings and led a meditation with several thousand students for eight hours without a break. On the 6th and 8th days, Karmapa gave the empowerments of White Tara and of Vajrapani.