Karmapa’s message for Lama Ole’s 84th birthday

March 19, 2025

Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, shares the following message on the occasion of the 84th birthday of Lama Ole Nydahl.

A transcript of the message follows.

Dear Dharma friends,

Today is the birthday of Lama Ole – an auspicious day that we should all celebrate by calling to mind his example of tireless dedication to the Buddha Dharma. I rejoice in Lama Ole’s great courage and determination, through which he has accumulated tremendous merit, inspiration, and joy over the past many decades.

As I have said on several previous occasions, all of his students should cherish their good fortune in finding such a teacher in this lifetime. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind all of you again that appreciating one’s teacher means not focusing on the person or the form of the teacher but on his or her practice, on his or her essence.

So that’s something all of you need to always keep in mind, and if you do that, then the teacher will always be there with you, beyond all limitations of time and space.

On this auspicious occasion, I would like to ask all students to join me in praying for our dear Lama Ole’s good health and longevity. May his presence continue to bring great benefit to sentient beings.