Gyalwang Karmapa Teaches at His North American Seat
Early in the morning, shuttle buses discharged a steady stream
of people, arriving from all directions to receive teachings from
the Gyalwang Karmapa at his North American seat. By 10 am, an
estimated 800 people were joyfully awaiting His Holiness' arrival
under a vast white tent that filled the space between KTD's shrine
hall and its residential wing.
During this historic second visit to KTD, His
Holiness began by expressing his delight at being able to visit and
meet with the larger KTD community once again. He noted the
tremendous progress that had been made in recent years towards
fulfilling the vast vision that His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa
had had in founding the monastic seat. Since he bears the name of
the 17th Karmapa, His Holiness said he would like to offer his
heartfelt thanks and rejoice in the efforts of all involved.
The Gyalwang Karmapa cautioned that he had made no preparations
for the teachings, but would simply draw on his own experience and
share whatever thoughts might come to his mind. His Holiness began
by noting that Americans enjoy freedom to choose from a wide range
of religions, and are also free to choose not to adopt any religion
at all. After distinguishing between spirituality and religion, His
Holiness went on to comment that whichever choice of path one
makes, the foundation is the same: to know ourselves, beginning
from a basic recognition of the value of the human life that we
each have. For the remainder of the day's teachings, His Holiness
built on that foundation, exploring such topics as ways to
counteract anger, the importance of eradicating aggression from our
minds and not just suppressing it in our outer actions, and our
mistaken tendency to identify ourselves with our material
possessions.
The tent filled with frequent laughter throughout the day. At
one point, His Holiness noted that even our electronic devices
reflect our egotistic fixation on 'I' and 'mine'-with Apple
offering us iphones and ipads, and Microsoft jumping in with its My
Documents and My Computer icons. The Gyalwang Karmapa also joked
with the translator, Lama Yeshe Gyamtso, at times resorting to the
use of his fingers to make sure his points came through
clearly.
With the joy and the laughter of the day came rain. The
auspicious rains were followed by a sudden wind that swept through
the tent, sending ripples along the white canvas--lest anyone
forget just how extraordinary an event it was for His Holiness to
turn the wheel of Dharma again at KTD.
The morning and afternoon sessions were both transmitted live
via Internet, with translation in English, Chinese and Spanish.
Those watching online more than doubled the number of people who
were able to receive His Holiness the Karmapa's teachings.
For further details of the day's teachings, see KTD's
blog.
More Karmapa Foundation News
Saturday, July 30, 2011
At first look, His Holiness The Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa is intimidating. Well built, self possessed, and with a keen glance, he walks more like a middle weight boxer than one of the most venerated religious figures in Tibetan Buddhism. As he moves around the room, the sly and playful side of his twenty-six year old character flashes occasionally as he teases his capable translator and raises an eyebrow with interest at an hors d'oeuvre nervously presented to him. Later, as he begins to share his perspective on individual spirituality and global concerns, a fully formed figure emerges - that of a powerful young man who is rapidly becoming a world religious leader.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
NEW YORK TIMES -- WOODSTOCK, N.Y. - At the age of 7, he was deemed to be the 17th reincarnation of the Karmapa - one of the most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism - and whisked from the yak-hair tent of his nomad family in the Himalayas to be groomed in a monastery for leadership.
Now 26, his mere appearance on the stage alongside the Dalai Lama at a major ceremony in Washington this month sent a flutter of excitement through the Tibetans in the crowd . . .
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
His Holiness the Karmapa departed his North American seat in Woodstock, NY, for a visit to another Dharma center under his spiritual guidance-Karma Thegchen Choling center of New Jersey (KTC-NJ). In this rural setting in southern New Jersey, the Gyalwang Karmapa offered Dharma teachings to a large gathering of students.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Woodstock, NY: Early in the morning, shuttle buses discharged a steady stream of people, arriving from all directions to receive teachings from the Gyalwang Karmapa at his North American seat, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra. By 10 am, an estimated 800 people were joyfully awaiting His Holiness' arrival.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
On the last day of the Kalchakra event in Washington DC, His Holiness the Karmapa attended the morning session which began at 7 am with prayers led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who then proceeded to give the White Tara long life empowerment to all those gathered in the hall.
Friday, July 15, 2011
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje was interviewed today by Radio Free Asia and Voice of America. These were the first ever live television interviews with the Karmapa, broadcast into Tibet and around the world. Both interviews were conducted in Tibetan.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
For several years now, His Holiness the Karmapa has been very interested and active in environmental protection and ecology. Today he had the opportunity to meet with senior scientists and environmental leaders at the World Wildlife Fund headquarters in Washington DC.
Saturday, July 09, 2011
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, arrived on the West Lawn of the US Capitol this morning. In the afternoon, His Holiness attended the Kalachakra ceremony for World Peace at the Verizon Center given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Karmapa will be engaged in further religious activities throughout his stay. This is the first time that His Holiness has returned to the United States since his historic first visit in 2008.
