Karmapa gives Dharma talks and grants empowerments at the Europe Center

August 6, 2024

Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, arrived at the Europe Center, international meeting place for Diamond Way Buddhists from around the world, late in the evening of the 23rd of July, 2024.

Karmapa’s programme in the Europe Center was part of the 2024 International Summer Course. This two-week course is held at the Europe Center every year, and offers Dharma friends from around the world the opportunity to come together, meet with their beloved teacher Lama Ole Nydahl, practice and share the Buddha Dharma, and further strengthen their bonds of friendship.

During his stay at the Europe Center, Karmapa gave two Dharma talks on the topic of the practice of Guru Yoga, followed by extensive question-and-answer sessions covering a wide range of subjects.

On Thursday, the 25th of July, he granted the empowerment of Buddha Amitabha (the Buddha of Infinite Light), Lord of the Pure Land of Dewachen.

Two days later, on the 27th of July, he transmitted the empowerment of Vajrasattva (Tib. Dorje Sempa), the wisdom aspect associated with the purification of veils and negativities, to a gathering of over 7,000 practitioners. Karmapa once again took time to explain the various stages of the ritual and emphasised the importance of taking refuge and developing Bodhicitta as the core of any Buddhist practice.

During his time at Europe Center, Karmapa paid several private visits to Lama Ole.

He also took time for meetings with various teams and groups and gave them advice on how to best carry forward the vast activity established by Lama Ole and his late wife Hannah over the last 50 years. On several occasions during these meetings he expressed his sincere appreciation for the enthusiasm of the Diamond Way practitioners, and for their unwavering devotion to their spiritual friend, Lama Ole Nydahl.

Karmapa departed the Europe Center by car on the afternoon of the 30th of July. His first stop was Schwarzenberg Bodhi Path Buddhist Center in Allgäu. There he was given a guided tour of the centre, followed by tea and a lively exchange with the group of practitioners who had gathered to receive him there.

He then set out for Dhagpo Möhra, in Thuringia, Germany.