Lama Ole Nydahl

Ole and Hannah

Diamond Way

Founded and directed by Lama Ole Nydahl according to the wishes of H.H. 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, Diamond Way Buddhism centres are now under the spiritual guidance of H.H. 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje.

Lama Ole Nydahl is one of very few Westerners who is fully qualified as a Lama and meditation teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. In 1969, he and his wife Hannah became the first Western students of H.H. 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, one of the greatest yogis of the 20th century and the head of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Karmapa Rigpe Dorje asked Hannah and Ole to help bring Tibetan Buddhism to the West. For over 40 years now, Lama Ole has been travelling non-stop, teaching and setting up meditation centres around the world.

Lama Ole Nydahl is one of the best known Western teachers of Buddhism in the world today. His energetic, joyful style is direct and engaging. His ability to make Vajrayana Buddhist teachings accessible to ordinary people from all walks of life is remarkable. The goal of his activity is the development of clarity and independence in his students.

Among many Buddhist centres of various lineages active in the West, there are more than 600 lay Diamond Way Buddhist centres of the Karma Kagyu Lineage which have been started by Lama Ole Nydahl. These groups have a democratic structure and function through unpaid, voluntary work on the basis of idealism and friendship. The members share the responsibility for guiding meditations, answering questions and passing on the teachings.

The Diamond Way opens the most skillful methods of the Buddha to the modern world. Using them one learns to experience the world from a rich and self-liberating viewpoint. Its meditations develop a deep inner richness and lead to non-fabrication and an unwavering mind. They help us to discover and finally unfold all our enlightened qualities for the benefit of all beings as well as ourselves.