View Slideshow: Worldwide Activities of the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje
Each year thousands of people are touched by the 17th Karmapa’s wisdom and compassion as he travels throughout the world teaching the Dharma and meeting with spiritual leaders and state dignitaries. View the slideshow below to see the Karmapa's worldwide activity from 1994-2009.
Moscow: June 2009
The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, visits Russia for the first time. Nearly 9000 people attended the teachings and empowerments the 17th Karmapa gave during his 18-day tour to six Russian cities. Throughout the visit, the Karmapa was joyously welcomed by the public and members of 74 Russian Karma Kagyu Buddhist centers, he met with many dignitaries and government ministers, visited historical sites, educational centers, museums and temples, and he granted numerous TV interviews and press conferences.
Trans-Siberian Railway: June 2009
The 17th Karmapa and his entourage embark on a 3-day journey to visit Karma Kagyu Buddhist Centres from Ulan-Ude to Vladivostok via the Trans-Siberian Railway, where they enjoyed a beautiful landscape of Siberian meadows, forests and wildflowers. The Karmapa was often met at brief train stops by well-wishers (sometimes in the middle of the night) seeking his blessing and providing his group with fresh home-cooked food. During the trip, the Karmapa blessed the local centres, gave empowerments, refuge and bodhisattva vows to 2100 people, granted numerous media interviews, visited the Submarine Museum of Vladivostok and Ivolginsky Datsan, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Russia, and met with the Hambo-Lama, the highest Lama in the region who arranged for a traditional wrestling match to be presented in the Karmapa’s honor.
Hong Kong: February 2009
The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje visits Hong Kong for the first time since his predecessor the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa was there 28 years ago. The 17th Karmapa presided over a 2-week program where he gave teachings and empowerments to 4000 people and granted numerous media interviews. The Karmapa bids farewell to the audience at the close of a 21 Taras Empowerment held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Hong Kong: February 2009
The 17th Karmapa and the Queen of Bhutan (left of Karmapa) were guests of honor at the Gala Dinner held at the Hong Kong Grand Hyatt Hotel. The occasion was the inauguration of the Infinite Compassion Foundation, founded by the 14th Shamar Rinpoche, co-head of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism (3rd from left) and fundraising for the World Eye Organization's clinic in Bhutan.
Hong Kong: February 2009
About 600 people accompanied the 17th Karmapa out to sea where he conducted a life release ceremony for live fish that had been destined for the marketplace. The Karmapa, along with other Buddhist teachers onboard chanted prayers and blessed the fish with sacred saffron water before releasing them back into the waters.
Paris, France: September 2008
The 17th Karmapa gave a teaching on "The Spirit of Generosity and Peace" in the famous 19th c. Théatre des Bouffes Parisiens. The Karmapa highlighted the importance of developing compassion for ourselves and others, emphasized the relevance of the ancient Buddhist philosophy in today's modern world and offered methods that lead towards ultimate well-being. At the end of the teaching, the audience engaged the Karmapa in a lively dialogue and offered him khatas, the traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarves.
Immenstadt, Germany: August 2008
More than 3,000 practitioners from 51 countries gathered at the 16th International Summer Buddhist Course to receive teachings and empowerments from the 17th Karmapa at the new Karma Kagyu Europe Centre in Southern Germany. Parts of the event were broadcasted live by Bavarian TV Bayerischer Rundfunk. The Karmapa also gave interviews to several German newspapers and to ORF, an Austrian TV broadcaster.
New Delhi, India: March 2008
The 17th Karmapa met with representatives of the Russian Embassy, Mr. Andrey Lyashkevich and the Ukrainian Embassy, Mr. Severyn Kharchuk at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in New Delhi.
Bodh Gaya, India: November 2007
The 17th Karmapa with the 14th Shamarpa, co-head of the Karma Kagyu Lineage, leading the annual Kagyu Monlam prayers for world peace and liberation of all beings at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.
Kassel, Germany: August 2007
The 17th Karmapa is received by 5000 people awaiting his teaching on the history of the Karma Kagyu Lineage and the lives of the Buddha and Milarepa, one of Tibet's most beloved yogis.
Dordogne, France: July 2007
The 17th Karmapa blessing his family after giving the White Tara Empowerment at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, the European headquarters of the Karma Kagyu Lineage.
The Karmapa's family represents all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism: his father is the 3rd Mipham Rinpoche, a renowned scholar and meditation master of the Nyingma tradition; his mother Dechen Wangmo is a direct descendant of the legendary King Gesar of Ling; and his younger brother the Gelug and Sakya tulku, His Eminence the 14th Sonam Tsemo Rinpoche is one of the five forefathers of the Sakya Lineage, the first five hierarchs of the Sakya Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
London: June 2007
The 17th Karmapa giving a blessing after the White Tara Empowerment at the Friends Meeting House in London. His throne was adorned with the same brocade that has been used since the 5th Karmapa Deshin Shekpa. The Karmapa noted, “White Tara has been my practice for as long as I can remember. It is a practice which generates genuine loving kindness and compassion.”
Vienna, Austria: June 2007
The 17th Karmapa giving the Amitabha and Amitayus Empowerment in Vienna. Afterwards, he urged people to read the life stories of great sages such as the Buddha and Milarepa to draw inspiration and guidance on how to generate aspiration bodhicitta. “We have the same potential as these great bodhisattvas. We need to put all of our effort into practice or else we will not accomplish anything. So, do your best with your own capacity. Give whatever you can give without having a second thought.”
Vienna, Austria: June 2007
The 17th Karmapa offering a double dorje, a symbol of the indestructible nature of enlightened mind to the Chief Rabbi of Vienna, Paul Chaim Eisenberg at a meeting where they discussed the importance of religious freedom and tolerance among people of different faiths.
Prague, Czech Republic: June 2007
The 17th Karmapa giving a teaching to 3000 people in Prague on the subject of karma.
Kalimpong, India: February 2007
The 17th Karmapa and students at Shri Diwakar Vihara Institute for Buddhist Research in Kalimpong, begin the Mahakala protector practice that precedes the celebration of Losar, the Tibetan New Year. Hundreds of people from many countries joined in the round-the-clock, week-long puja.
Manila, Philippines: November 2006
The 17th Karmapa giving the White Tara Empowerment on his first visit to Manila in 2006.
Manila, Philippines: November 2006
The 17th Karmapa was invited to visit the Phillippine General Hospital where he blessed many patients and offered words of consolation.
Mumbai, India: October 2006
The 17th Karmapa giving Refuge Vows to 60,000 Dalits, India's untouchable caste. The Karmapa actively encourages the emancipation of those oppressed by the caste system and supports a free society based on equality, fraternity and humane values.
Valle de Bravo, Mexico: March 2006
The 17th Karmapa presiding at the consecration of a stupa in Valle de Bravo outside of Mexico City. The stupa project was initiated by the Gelugpa center Casa Tibet under the guidance and inspiration of Lopen Tsechu Rinpoche. Mrs. Monica Pretelini de Peña, wife of the Governor of the State of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto was a guest and received the Karmapa in the Governor's private residence in Valle de Bravo after the ceremony.
Valle de Bravo, Mexico: March 2006
The 17th Karmapa consecrating the Lhabab Chorten stupa in Valle de Bravo outside of Mexico City. The stupa project was initiated by the Gelugpa center Casa Tibet under the guidance and inspiration of Lopen Tsechu Rinpoche.
Valle de Bravo, Mexico: March 2006
The 17th Karmapa giving Bodhisattva Vows to 1700 people at the stupa site in Valle de Bravo. After the event the Karmapa was received by Bernardo Gomez, vice president of Televisa, Mexico's largest television channel.
Valle de Bravo, Mexico: March 2006
During the entire Bodhisattva Vow ceremony given by the 17th Karmapa in Valle de Bravo, a halo clearly appeared around the sun. Auspicious signs such as these often occur in the presence of authentic spiritual masters.
Taipei, Taiwan: December 2005
The 17th Karmapa giving the Chenrezig Empowerment at the Taipei Tsurphu Center in 2005.
London: August 2005
The 17th Karmapa was the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker at an interfaith reception to celebrate Friendship and Trust at St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. In the presence of the Bishop of London, the Karmapa and spiritual leaders from the Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Jain faiths unveiled a Japanese tapestry, "People of the World."
London: August 2005
The 17th Karmapa gave Bodhisattva Vows to 700 people in the Friends Meeting House in London, the same venue where his predecessor the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Black Crown Ceremony in 1976.
Athens, Greece: August 2005
The 17th Karmapa giving Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows to 600 people in Athens. The Karmapa is aided by Lama Tsultrim Namgyal (front left), who served as the personal attendant to the late 16th Karmapa.
Beskce, Hungary: August 2005
The 17th Karmapa giving Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows to 2500 people in Hungary.
Bratislava, Slovakia: August 2005
The 17th Karmapa giving the Chenrezig Empowerment to 1800 people at the PKO Cultural Hall on his first visit to Slovakia.
Kiev, Ukraine: August 2005
The 17th Karmapa giving the Marpa Empowerment to 2400 people on his first visit to Kiev in 2005.
Mumbai, India: April 2005
The 17th Karmapa lighting a ceremonial lamp at the opening of the First International Buddhist Conference in Mumbai. The Karmapa participated in a panel of prominent Indian statesmen and academics from around the world to discuss topics related to Buddhism and World Peace.
Noted panel members were Shri Jaipal Reddy (Union Minister of Information, Broadcasting & Culture); Shri Vilas Rao Deshmukh (Chief Minister of Maharashtra); Ramdas Athavale (Indian Parliament); and Professor Christopher Queen (Dean of Students for Continuing Education in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Harvard University.
Mumbai, India: April 2005
As Guest of Honor at the Mumbai Conference, the 17th Karmapa remarked, "Everyone wants peace in this world and it can be achieved through cultivating compassion and an absolute knowledge of emptiness. It is not through improving the outer world in terms of raising living standards that world peace can be attained. The lack of compassion and emptiness is responsible for conflicts, warfare, racism and the like, as recent events of war, unrest, violence and terrorism in many parts of the world have shown." At the conclusion of the conference the Karmapa led 1000 people on a peace march through the streets of Mumbai to the memorial site of the late Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, a founding father of the country who worked to revive Buddhism in India.
Benamaldena, Spain: May 2004
The late meditation master Lopen Tsechu Rinpoche greeting the 17th Karmapa upon his arrival in Benamaldena. The Karmapa presided over the consecration ceremony of the largest stupa in the Western world that was built under the direction of Lopen Tsechu Rinpoche, as a landmark of peace and prosperity for Spain. Thousands attended the ceremony.
Benamaldena, Spain: May 2004
The 17th Karmapa giving the Chenrezig Empowerment to thousands at the stupa site in Benamaldena, located on the coast south of Malaga.
Thimphu, Bhutan: October 2003
The 17th Karmapa with His Majesty the King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in Thimphu. The Karmapa was invited as a state guest on the occasion of the passing of the Queen Mother.
Menlo Park, CA: June 2003
The Venerable Luding Khenchen Rinpoche, head of the Ngor tradition of the Sakya Lineage, transmitted an essential collection of Vajrayana teachings to the 17th Karmapa over a 2-month period at a Karma Kagyu Buddhist center in Menlo Park.
Menlo Park, CA: June 2003
The 17th Karmapa with Trinlay Tulku Rinpoche (seated far left), Venerable Luding Khenchen Rinpoche (left of Karmapa) and His Holiness Sakya Trinzin Rinpoche, head of the Sakya Lineage (right of Karmapa) and others in Menlo Park.
San Francisco, CA: July 2003
The 17th Karmapa giving the Karma Pakshi Empowerment to 400 people at the Golden Gate Club in San Francisco.
Santa Barbara, CA: July 2003
The 17th Karmapa giving the Vajrayogini Empowerment at a Karma Kagyu center in Santa Barbara in 2003.
Santa Barbara, CA: July 2003
The 17th Karmapa giving a blessing after the Milarepa Empowerment at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara, the same venue where his predecessor the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Black Crown Ceremony 23 years before. About 400 people attended the event.
Los Angeles, CA: September 2003
The 17th Karmapa presided at the Grand Opening of the New Frontier Buddhist Association that serves a large Chinese-American community in LA. 500 people attended including many important guests such as Master Yin Hai (left of Karmapa), Khenpo Chodrag Tenphel Rinpoche (2nd from left of Karmapa), a representative from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and other local officials.
Dordogne, France: August 2002
The 17th Karmapa giving the Chenrezig Empowerment to 3000 people at his public meditation center, Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, which serves as the European headquarters of the Karma Kagyu Lineage.
Dordogne, France: August 2002
The 17th Karmapa and the 14th Shamarpa, co-head of the Karma Kagyu Lineage, during a ceremony to lay a foundation stone for a new Institute at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, which serves as the European headquarters of the Karma Kagyu Lineage.
Lumbini, Nepal: November 2001
The 17th Karmapa presiding at the inauguration of Drubgyu Choling Monastery with Shangpa Rinpoche (front left) & others in Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha.
Lumbini, Nepal: November 2001
The 17th Karmapa presiding over thousands of Tibetan monks & nuns at the inauguration of Drubgyu Choling Monastery in Lumbini, Nepal.
Auvergne, France: March 2000
The late Venerable Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche, head of the Tsarpa School of the Sakya Lineage, giving essential transmissions over a month long period to the 17th Karmapa and the 14th Shamarpa at Dhagpo Kundreul Ling, the Karmapa's European retreat center. Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche played an important role in recognizing the 17th Karmapa as the authentic reincarnation of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa.
Auvergne, France: March 2000
The 17th Karmapa with the late Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and the 14th Shamarpa, co-head of the Karma Kagyu Lineage, at Dhagpo Kundreul Ling.
Auvergne, France: January 2000
Walking towards the Karmapa Temple to attend a welcoming ceremony, the procession honors the 17th Karmapa's first visit to his European retreat center, Dhagpo Kundreul Ling in Auvergne, France. Dhagpo Kundreul Ling is the largest group of Buddhist retreat centers and monastic hermitages in the West.
Auvergne, France: January 2000
Inside the Karmapa Temple, the lama community (those who have completed the traditional 3-year retreat) warmly welcomes the 17th Karmapa on his first visit to his European retreat center Dhagpo Kundreul Ling.
Düsseldorf, Germany: January 2000
6000 people attended the 17th Karmapa's program in Dusseldorf on his first visit to Europe.
Tainan, Taiwan: November 1999
The 17th Karmapa visiting disabled children at a Christian Children's Home in Tainan.
Taipei, Taiwan: November 1999
The 17th Karmapa visiting a sick child at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taipei.
Singapore: October 1999
The 17th Karmapa giving Refuge Vows & the Chenrezig Empowerment in Singapore.
Bodh Gaya, India: December 1996
His Eminence Beru Khyenste Rinpoche welcomes the 17th Karmapa to his monastery for the Kagyu Monlam ceremonies held each year in Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment 2500 years ago.
New Delhi, India: March 1994
The 17th Karmapa giving a blessing after he was formally recognized by the 14th Kunzig Shamarpa as the authentic reincarnation of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. The ceremony took place at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in New Delhi. The Shamarpa is the co-head of the Karma Kagyu Lineage, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
New Delhi, India: March 1994
The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa with the 14th Kunzig Shamarpa after the ceremony where he was recognized as the authentic reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in New Delhi.
Central to the transmission of the 900-year old Karma Kagyu Lineage are the alternating rebirths of the Karmapas and the Shamarpas, spiritual heads and co-heads of the Lineage. The 2nd Karmapa proclaimed that in the future the responsibility for upholding the line of continuity in the Kagyu teachings would rest with himself and the Shamarpa; thus the Karmapa formally made the Shamarpa his second-in-command both temporally and ecclesiastically. Throughout the centuries, the Karmapas and Shamarpas have been born into the same family as brothers, father & son and uncle & nephew. The late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa was the uncle of the present 14th Kunzig Shamarpa.
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