“The final, third verse is about individuals who preserve and spread the teachings of the Buddha, they are not necessarily people who sit on high thrones. They are people who have genuine altruistic feelings towards the teachings and who serve the teachings. And from that they become holders of the teachings who uphold and expand them. Whether they are monastics or laypeople, old or young. No differentiation between young or old, male or female, based on where one lives, nationality, ethnicity and so on. Anyone who has genuine altruistic feelings for the teachings and serves the teachings becomes an upholder of the teachings.” –17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley
On 20th August 2026, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, prior to the last day of the Summer teachings, gave an oral transmission (lung) and a short commentary to a new Concise Long-Life Aspiration for the Upholders of the Karma Kagyu Teachings.
Here is a video clip of that commentarial teaching, which I created with specially translated English subtitles and the original Tibetan:
00:00:00 Introduction and reasons for composition
00:02:02 First Verse: An auspicious dream and the Sixth Sage of the Lions Buddha
00:02:33 Second Verse: Six Main Disciple Lineages of the Kamtsang (Karma Kagyu)
00:07:25 Last Verse: All those who uphold and serve the teachings
00:09:33 Auspicious Day and request to give the transmission
The new supplication of three verses was published on 18th August 2026, which I did a quick translation of. Now, after hearing the 17th Karmapa’s explanation on it, I have re-translated it and publish it here with a transcript/translation of that oral commentary, and some footnotes I have added to expand any information he gave. Interestingly, the last verse was dedicated to all those who serve and uphold the teachings in a genuine, sincere and altruistic way, whoever they are.
Here is a video and musical arrangement with images and oral chanting by the 17th Karmapa from the transmission of the new aspiration, I created here using a recording of the oral transmission the Karmapa gave at the end of the teaching on Day 8:
No distinctions between age, country, location, male or female, nationality or ethnicity, that all who are serving and supporting the lineage teachings have long-lives and power to overcome obstacles. For a transcript and article about the teaching about the six main heart-sons of the Karma Kagyu (mentioned in this new long-life aspiration) given by the 17th Karmapa in 2024 as the closing speech of the Kagyu Monlam, see here.
For my translation of a Praise to the 17th Karmapa, composed by the current 11th Pawo Rinpoche (based in Tibet), see here.
For research, translations and transcripts about or connected to the 17th Karmapa, see the dedicated section of the Dakini Translations website here.
Adele Tomlin, 23rd August 2026.