“In any case, we have our own special instructions of our own particular lineage. We have a treasure that we need to cherish and preserve it. If we can do so, then only then can we dare show our faces to the lineage masters of the past and dare say that we are upholding the lineage. It is fine to practice transmissions of other lineages, but first we must take care of our own inheritance before we go looking elsewhere for jewels. That is the way of the wise.” —17th Karmapa (December 2023)
“The Kagyu tradition is said to be the most stubborn and honest in following its heritage. We take delight in our heritage. Doubt, challenge, hesitation-in brief, any form of second thoughts-are not regarded as obstacles, but rather as fuel to push us further and cause our devotion and heartfelt longing to blaze, to increase our intense desire to’ follow the example of our forefathers.”–11th Chogyam Trungpa in ‘Rain of Wisdom’
I recently gave a brief annual review of the Dharma activities of myself/Dakini Translations, and in that same spirit of celebration and recognition, and also as a New Year offering to the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (the fundamental root and cause of my being brought onto the Dharma path and Dharma activities of body, speech and mind) here is an annual praise/review of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s activities (and some of the main Karma Kagyu lamas). Without any sense of bias, this review clearly shows how the 17th Karmapa (and the Kagyupas) despite the many setbacks and obstacles (historically and currently) are currently unparalleled in terms of lineages, Dharma activities and textual and teaching legacy.
It is therefore, as I wrote here, unbelievable (and of heart-breaking concern) that the 17th Karmapa is still unable to visit Rumtek Monastery, seat of the Karmapas, and to India and the rest of Asia. What is the reason for that? We would all love to know!
Although Dharma activity is not a ‘competition’, when one considers the other main lineages, their senior teachers and Dharma activities, in particular their textual/translation legacy there really is no comparison at all! Teaching on Prasangika Madhyamika and the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life are useful to some extent no doubt, but if that is all that is happening, when there are hundreds of other worthy texts and views and practices then frankly it can become rather inspiring and dull. Personally, I long and wish for the day when a Kagyu Khenpo teaches Gedun Chophel’s commentary on Madhyamika in India, Adornment for Nāgārjuna’s Thought (ཀླུ་སྒྲུབ་དགོང་རྒྱན།) in India to an audience of all the main lineages!
Thus, this brief annual round-up is a toast of praise to the Kagyupas, in particular to the Gyalwang Karmapa, who is like an emanation of Vajravārāhi, one of the main and central yidam deities uniquely held in the pure, uncorrupted lineage of the Karma Kagyu direct from Nāropa and Marpa. As I wrote this review, visions of Vārāhī inseparable from the 17th Karmapa appeared in my mind. May the three roots of Guru, Yidam and Dharma protectors of Mahakala and Palden Lhamo continue to protect you and may your legacy , teachings and lineages flourish and prosper!
Music? Calling the Lama From Afar by Jamgon Kongtrul the Great, Let the Flames Begin by Paramore, A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, and Coney Island Baby by Lou Reed.
Composed and compiled by Adele Tomlin, 31st December 2023.
The Supreme Head of Karma Kagyu, 17th Gyalwang Karmapa:
2023 Annual Review/Appraisal
The activities and teachings of the supreme head of Karma Kagyu, 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, despite all the many challenges and obstacles he (and the Karma Kagyu) have been facing, are incomparable and unparalleled in the Tibetan Buddhist world (at the very least). His incredible intellect, energy, wisdom and effort has resulted in many profound and wise teachings on the environment, vegetarianism and female empowerment and equality. For more on those activities of the 17th Karmapa, see my previous articles here and here.
The 17th Karmapa is also the only major lineage head producing new research and teachings on Dharma texts and liberation-stories to an international academic standard, and even putting some scholarly research into question, for more on that see next post on his new research on the liberation-story of 1st Karmapa! Having also recently taught how the actions of the Dalai Lamas and Gelugpas in Tibet with the Mongolian army destroying and suppressing many Karma Kagyu monasteries, shedras and texts leaving them in ruin, or sealed up never to be read or published again. Yet, since the 17th Karmapa came into exile as teenager after being recognized at the main seat of the Karmapas, Tsurphu in Tibet, he has not been deterred and is a driving and inspiring force in Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism. He established the annual Arya Kshema Dharma event for Karma Kagyu nuns in Bodh Gaya, which will again take place again in February 2023.
1) Online Teachings
This year for example, despite still being unable to return to India and travel freely in Asia since 2017, the 17th Karmapa’s online teachings are unprecedented in terms of originality, length, depth and breadth. Transcripts of all these teachings and more can be found in the dedicated website section to the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, here.
- Mind-Only teachings on Vasubandhu’s Thirty Verses (January 2023)
At the beginning of 2023, the 17th Karmapa finished his two month set of teachings on the Thirty Verses (started in March 2022) on an important text by the 5th Century Indian scholar and siddha, Vasubandhu, which was unprecedented in terms of its breadth and depth of scholarship on the origin. transmission and translation of Mind-Only (Yogacara/Cittamatra) schools/texts in India, Tibet and China. Concluding how this view (unlike in China) had been misrepresented by Tibetan scholars since the 17th Century onwards and that trying to fit the Mind-Only texts into Madhyamika views/traditions did not work well, and that now was the time for a third category for the Mind-Only and Empty-of Other texts, that of Buddha-Nature.
I have yet to type up all these teachings from the Tibetan (and English translation), but have done some of the main, important ones. I hope to finish transcribing all of them in the future and upload a compiled version of all them for free download as a small publication on this website.
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Life and Liberation of Jowo Atisha (February 2023)
The 17th Karmapa’s original research and teaching on the importance of the life and activities of Jowo Atisha contained much new research and insights in the Tibetan (and English) language, including the yogic practice and background of Atisha and Noble Tara’s ‘humilating’ advice to the young, yet arrogant, tantric yogi.
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8th Karmapa’s Autobiographical Stories (March-April 2023)
In a remarkable two month online teaching for the annual Arya Kshema nuns’ event, the 17th Karmapa finished his profound and original teachings on two autobiographical texts by the 8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje. Filled with original and inspiring stories on the 8th Karmapa’s life and why his example and realisations are important teachings to all. The 8th Karmapa’s Collected Works is one of the biggest and most valuable in the Tibetan Buddhist canon.
- Five-deity Tārā and Hevajra by 1st Karmapa (December 2023)
The 17th Karmapa has stated on more than one occasion his wish to revive Kagyu traditions and practices such as the Garchen (Great Encampment, which now happens in Bodh Gaya), as well as unique sadhanas and lineages such as the five-deity Tārā, and the other five sets of five deities practices by the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa. The five deity Hevajra was performed at the Kagyu Guncho winter event in January 2023, and the five-deity Tara (using a new liturgy composed by the 17th Karmapa) was performed at the same event this month (December 2023).
These teachings led to my writing to new research articles and translations of texts on five-deity Tara and five-deity Hevajra.
- New biographical account of 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa by 17th Karmapa (December 2023)
In previous years, the 17th Karmapa has produced significant and original research on the life and liberation of one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism, one of the closest disciples of Dagpo Gampopa, the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa.
This year he added to that teaching/textual legacy by providing us all with some new research on the 1st Karmapa’s childhood, using original sources by the 8th Karmapa and others, that English language scholars do not even mention. More on that in the next post!
- Guru Yoga teaching (October 2023)
The 17th Karmapa gave an impromptu teaching on the meaning and practice of Guru Yoga to the Thrangu Rinpoche Canadian centre.
2) Poetic Praises, Memoriams and Commemorations
The 17th Karmapa also composed several poetic praises and commemoration tributes to Tibetan Buddhist teachers, such for the swift re-birth of Jonangpa head in Tibet, Jigme Dorje Rinpoche, the long-life and swift re-birth of 9th Thrangu Rinpoche, and Tibetan thangka artist, Karma Deleg, and film-maker, Pema Tseden. Also, a Tibetan Losar greeting for the water-rabbit new year.
3) Artworks
The 17th Karmapa is an extremely talented artist, and in September 2023, he published another new artwork in red and black with the chinese symbols Píng’ān (平安) which means ‘be safe and sound’.
4) Publications of Kangyur, Tengyur and Tibetan lineage texts
The 17th Karmapa has also been active in reviving and publishing Karma Kagyu and other lineage Dharma texts via the founding of two main online platforms, Dharma E-Books and Adarsha.
Sadly, the Dharma E-Books (as with Lotsawa House) choices of works and translations/transcripts/compilations appears to be heavily biased towards translators who are ‘friends’ of the administrators, and worse even biased against female survivors of Karma Kagyu lama misconduct! So that could be improved upon.
Reminds me of a time in 2014 when I went to see the 17th Karmapa in a private audience in Gyuto monastery, India and was subsequently scolded by Tashi (a Tibetan man in charge with media) as being a total ‘nobody’ and how dare I request the 17th Karmapa in the audience a suggestion of a text to translate for my postgraduate degree! Such kind and wise encouragement, support and rejoicing for someone who wanted to translate and research Kagyu texts! Have to laugh or might cry.
Other Karma Kagyu teachers
In addition, other senior Karma Kagyu lamas, including some who are in their 70s, are showing younger, less active lamas what Dharma activity and merit looks like.
12th Tai Situ Rinpoche (to whom the 16th Karmapa entrusted his handwritten letter on his future incarnation before passing) celebrated his 70th birthday this year. Together with his close student, 7th Mingyur Rinpoche have both been giving extensive sets of teachings on Mahamudra and Buddha Nature in India and Nepal but also travelling and teaching in SE Asia. They both travelled to Nepal after Thrangu Rinpoche’s passing this year.
Tai Situpa also headed a scholarly conference in October 2023 at his monastery, Sherab Ling on the life and works of the Tai Situpas, see video here (Tibetan only). Recently, this month, he taught on Milarepa’s songs of realization, along with an empowerment and reading transmission of the Milarepa Guru Yoga.
7th Mingyur Rinpoche also recently travelled to Australia and Malaysia recently to and bestowed a White Tara empowerment and joint teaching with Chinese actor, Jet Li there (see photo).
The 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche whose 70th birthday was also celebrated this year has been teaching and giving major empowerments in Sikkim and now in Malaysia during Christmas and the New Year. Most recently he gave led and gave a teaching on the Drolma Yul-Dog (Tara that Dispels Obstacles), which I would love to have attended but it was not to be. Photos show he is elderly now, has lost weight and looks frail yet he is still travelling extensively and performing Dharma activities despite that.
12th Zurmang Rinpoche has given brief teachings in India and SE Asia.
2nd Kalu Rinpoche, who calls himself the Shangpa Kagyu head, but which is actually a lineage bestowed and transmitted to him solely by Karma Kagyu teachers, like 12th Tai Situpa and Gyaltsab Rinpoche has been giving teachings in India, Bhutan (October 2022) and Europe (2023) on one of the main Shangpa traditions of Niguma Yoga (according to texts by Jetsun Taranatha), for my review of those teachings in 2022 see here. For my article on the Niguma Yoga mantra and pronunication, see here.
The young Karma Kagyu tulku lamas, Bokar Rinpoche and Tenga Rinpoche attended teachings and empowerments of the important Karma Kagyu and Ri-mey legacy Treasury of Great Termas (Rinchen Terdzo) by Jamgon Kongtrul the 1st, bestowed by the 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche (whose first incarnation was one of the main teachers of the 8th Karmapa, see my Treasury of Lives bio here) at Rumtek monastery (July-November 2023).
Sadly, the presence of the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche is sorely missed and we all pray and hope he will find the courage and will to return at some point to the Karma Kamtsang family.
Other Dagpo Kagyu traditions
Also, Drigung Kagyu teacher, Garchen Rinpoche despite being in his 80s still regularly gives online teachings and empowerments. The Drugpa Kagyu head, 12th Gyalwang Drugpa pioneers female empowerment with his Kung Fu Nuns initiative and 9th Khamtrul Rinpoche recently led a Ka-gye drubchen for the Tibetan New Year (February 2023).
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo of Drugpa Kagyu also is one of the driving forces of activities for nuns and women in particular, and at the remarkable age of 80 is still giving teachings, interviews, running a thriving and beautiful nunnery and even recently found the time and energy to go on pilgrimage to female sacred sites, with scholar-writer, Wendy Garling and give this podcast interview with me here.
Plans for the future
- Kagyu Monlam, Bodh Gaya (January 2024)
In January 2024, the 12th Tai Situpa is scheduled to attend and lead the Kagyu Monlam in Bodh Gaya for the first time since he came into exile with the 16th Karmapa. He will also be giving novice and full ordination to monastics there.
- Arya Kshema Event in Bodh Gaya, India- with teaching on Fifty Verses (February 2024)
The 17th Karmapa also recently announced that he will lead and teach the renowned Vajrayana text called the Fifty Verses on the Guru for the annual (and again unparalleled) nuns’ debate and teaching event, Arya Kshema in Bodh Gaya, India.
The ‘unstoppable’ Kagyupa attitude – stubborn, honest, proud and undeterred
In any case, as the 11th Chogyam Trungpa another well-known and eminent Kagyu lama from the Karma Kagyu and Zurmang Kagyu tradition said in his Introduction to the remarkable book on the Kagyu Vajra Songs (Kagyu Gurtsho), ‘The Rain of Wisdom’ (1980):
“The Kagyu tradition is said to be the most stubborn and honest in following its heritage. We take delight in our heritage. Doubt, challenge, hesitation-in brief, any form of second thoughts-are not regarded as obstacles, but rather as fuel to push us further and cause our devotion and heartfelt longing to blaze, to increase our intense desire to’ follow the example of our forefathers. So we, as Kagyus, have thrived on the transmissions of our forefathers, and sustained and nourished ourselves in reading and reciting their vajra songs along with their life stories. As for myself, the older I get, the more of a Kagyu person I become. Aging in this way is wonderful. My thanks and appreciation to the forefathers….”
Thus, I am certain that not only Naropa and Marpa would be proud of the Kagyupas, in particular the 17th Karmapa but like Chogyam Trungpa ‘beaming with a great big smile and laughing at their ‘mistakes’, silly conflicts and fall-outs like a kind, loving mother looks at her naughty, tiring children. Endlessly forgiving and loving in the ocean heart of Buddha Nature.
