Seeking the 17th Karmapa (II): The unexplained “heart-breaking” absence and “anchoring” of the 17th Karmapa at two major Karma Kagyu events in India 2025 and surprise “private” event at a “luxury rented residence” in five star hotels/designer malls area of Bangkok, Thailand

As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje again was unable (or chose not) to attend the two biggest events in the Karma Kagyu calendar at which hundreds of monks and nuns from India, Nepal and Bhutan attend, at the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site of Bodh Gaya,… Continue reading Seeking the 17th Karmapa (II): The unexplained “heart-breaking” absence and “anchoring” of the 17th Karmapa at two major Karma Kagyu events in India 2025 and surprise “private” event at a “luxury rented residence” in five star hotels/designer malls area of Bangkok, Thailand

VIBRANT “HEART” OF GLOBAL BUDDHISM, SCENES FROM BODH GAYA 2025: Relics of Buddha and his two main students, meeting Bokar Rinpoche yangsi, Chinese Buddhist tradition gathering under the Bodhi tree, hunger strike protest by local Buddhists, personal artwork offering of new portrait of 17th Karmapa,

In this brief report, I share some information and photos from my one month pilgrimage this year to Bodh Gaya, India 2025, of the following: Relics of the Buddha exhibition (1st -3rd February 2025) at the Maha Bodhi Vihara temple Meeting Bokar Rinpoche yangsi Chinese Buddhist Tradition gathering under the Bodhi tree Hunger Strike by… Continue reading VIBRANT “HEART” OF GLOBAL BUDDHISM, SCENES FROM BODH GAYA 2025: Relics of Buddha and his two main students, meeting Bokar Rinpoche yangsi, Chinese Buddhist tradition gathering under the Bodhi tree, hunger strike protest by local Buddhists, personal artwork offering of new portrait of 17th Karmapa,

In this new video clip from Day One teaching on Yangonpa's Seven Pointing Outs for the Kagyu Winter Dharma event (Guncho) in January 2024, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje explains what is meant by transmission (Tibetan: lung) and why and how reading transmissions were done during and after the Buddha's time in the… Continue reading The meaning and purpose of ‘oral transmission’ (lung) in Buddhism (teaching by 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje)

"Snakes are flexible and resilient, implying that when we face the uncertainties of life, we must respond with skill and flexibility. Snakes can shed their skin and be reborn, reminding us that we should always practice meditation to transform our habits and grow and transform." --17th Karmapa's Chinese New Year message (2025) Today is the… Continue reading “BE FLEXIBLE AND FREE AS A SNAKE!”: Chinese Lunar New Year 2025 message from 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (English translation)

“For the teachings of the Buddha to flourish, there is no one greater to do that than Dezhin Shegpa, the [5th] Karmapa”--Je Tsongkhapa “So if you wish to follow me, Do not make Dharma lineages into ‘mine’ and ‘yours’, Spreading Buddha’s teachings is enough. Having warm affection for one’s ‘own side’ Do not think of… Continue reading Je Tsongkhapa Day 2024, 8th Karmapa’s Praises to the main Lineage Masters, and the ongoing issue of Gelugpa sectarianism

Today, a letter written by the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje (dated 21st December 2024) was published on Facebook, expressing his condolences regarding the passing away of HE Choje Ayang Rinpoche (4th December 2024). I have translated it into English for the benefit of those who follow the 17th Karmapa and/or HE Ayang Rinpoche.… Continue reading Written condolence from HH 17th Gyalwang Karmapa regarding the passing of HE Choje Ayang Rinpoche (English translation)

"This is not a question of more or less important. Even if you are a householder, you can have qualities of purity and realization that are superior to a monastic’s, and a monastic can have qualities of purity and realization that are superior to a householder’s. This is not a question of more or less… Continue reading UPDATE AND ACTION: ‘unofficial’ Karmapa claimant, Thaye Dorje’s Monlam in Bodh Gaya, Sri Lankan President visit to Bodh Gaya, and the 17th Karmapa’s advice on the importance of lay householders not wearing monastic-type dress

"Recognising tulku incarnations merely for the sake of quickly attaining high positions is not suitable. Nor is recognizing tulkus for political gain. Similarly, it is not appropriate to recognize tulkus for personal reasons, such as for wealth and riches. What is the unmistaken main aim of identifying tulkus? It is to benefit and be helpful… Continue reading “TULKU TEACHERS SHOULD NOT BE CHOSEN FOR POLITICAL OR WORLDLY REASONS”: The 17th Karmapa’s short speech for the 2nd Bokar Rinpoche, “Illuminator of the teachings of Dagpo and Shangpa Kagyu” enthronement ceremony in Mirik, Sikkim

I am delighted to share with you a new transcript of an important, profound and blessed online teaching the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa gave yesterday, during a 3-day 16th Karmapa Guru Yoga teaching event (1st - 3rd November 2024) for the upcoming 43rd Anniversary of the parinirvana of the 16th Karmapa, Rigpe Dorje (5th November 2024).… Continue reading INSEPARABLE GURU HEART-MIND: THE 17TH GYALWANG KARMAPA ON THE 16TH KARMAPA. (Transcript of online teaching given at 16th Karmapa Guru Yoga event 2.10.24))

"In terms of the definitive meaning, Gyaltsab Rinpoche is an emanation of Vajrapani." "Stony-faced one without a fake smiling mask,Straight-talker, not spouting phony praise,Master of Tantric discipline, who rarely talksVictorious Gyaltsab, I praise you!"—excerpt from ‘Praises to 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche’ by 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje Today, at Palchen Choling Lachi monastery in Ravangla, Sikkim,… Continue reading The 600-year Anniversary of the Goshir Gyaltsab lineage at Ravangla, Sikkim, with special video message from the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa