The meaning of the teacher                                                                                                 The highest level of teaching cannot be properly understood or maintained without a teacher. If the communication is missing which neutralises pride, sentimentality and superficiality, one may become lonely or useless in daily life. The Lama employs methods for developing his or her students' potential, allowing them to push through layers of habitual behaviour. It is the Lama's job to make students independent, compassionate and strong. On the highest level, the Lama lets the students enter the fearless mirror cabinet of his or her mind. When they discover that they are of that same nature, nothing more remains to be found.

	H.H. the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924 -1981) was born in Derge province in Eastern Tibet. The Karmapa (Lit. Activity Man) means the first consciously reborn Lama of Tibet and the spiritual head of the Kagyu Lineage. The Karmapas embody the activity of all Buddhas and were prophesized by Buddha Shakyamuni and by Guru Rinpoche. Before his death most Karmapas leave a letter containing the exact conditions of their next rebirth. Up until now, there have been seventeen incarnations.
	H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje was born in Tibet on May 6th 1983 and is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He was the first born son of the 3d Mipam Rinpoche, a great Nyingma Lama, and Dechen Wangmo, the daughter of a noble family descended from King Gesar of Ling.The present 17th Karmapa was found and recognized as the genuine Karmapa reincarnation by Shamar Rinpoche, second to the Karmapa in the Karma Kagyu Lineage. Over 800 centers and monasteries follow him.
	H.H Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, an emanation of Buddha Amithaba, is second to Gyalwa Karmapa in the spiritual hierarchy of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism.
	Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche was born in the Kingdom of Bhutan in 1918. When he was 13 years old, he left Bhutan to study and practice under the spiritual guidance of his uncle Lama Sherab Dorje in Nepal.
	Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah were the first western students of the H.H. 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. In a constant exchange with his students, Lama Ole teaches the goal and methods of Karma Kagyu Diamond Way Buddhism. His joyful way of living provides a glimpse of what anyone can achieve through direct experience of one's own mind. He has transmitted the blessing of the lineage, traveling as an authorized Lama and tirelessly teaching around the world in a different city nearly every day for over 30 years. The depth of his knowledge and dynamic way of teaching inspire thousands of people at his lectures and retreats around the world. He has been a driving force in bringing Buddhism to the West.

Lama Ole Nydahl in New York

May 16 - 17
For details click here.

HH 17th Karmapa Summer Tour

From June to August 2012
For tour details click here.