Karmapa gives Dharma talks and transmits the Chenresig empowerment
Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, arrived at the Bodhi Path Centre Renchen Ulm on the evening of 20 July.
Karmapa was given a warm reception by a gathering of residents and practitioners, including Lama Jigme Rinpoche. Venerable Shangpa Rinpoche had come to Renchen Ulm especially to meet with Karmapa and spend some time with him.
On 21 and 22 July, Karmapa gave three Dharma talks in the beautifully adorned Schwarzwaldhalle in Appenweier, continuing his explanations on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva by Thogme Zangpo.
He started the session with a general introduction, emphasising the importance of freshness and curiosity when we approach the practice of the Buddha Dharma, and cautioning the gathered practitioners against developing the mistaken notion that the Buddhist path will provide us with an absolute guarantee.
Even when the text talks about the ‘supreme state of liberation that never changes’, this is not to be taken as a solid state. Rather, it refers to the complete courage of accepting the shaky ground under our feet.
On Sunday, 22 July, Karmapa transmitted the Buddhist Refuge, the Bodhisattva Vows, and the Empowerment of Chenresig, the wisdom aspect embodying the enlightened compassion of all Buddhas.
On the next day he performed the consecration of the stupa dedicated to the late 14th Shamar Rinpoche.
Over the course of his five-day stay at Renchen Ulm, Karmapa also met with various representatives of different Dharma centres, as well as the house team and the helpers of Renchen Ulm Bodhi Path Centre.
Karmapa departed Renchen Ulm in the late morning of 25 July, headed for Karma Migyur Ling, Montchardon, the next stop on his 2023 European tour.
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