In 1977–1978, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, visited Europe for the second time. He returned to most of the countries he had visited on his first trip to the West in 1974–1975, adding three new ones to his itinerary (Belgium, Greece, and Austria). Karmapa’s second trip to Europe was organized to culminate with the consecration in Dordogne of the land donated by the Benson family in 1975.
The Gyalwa Karmapa traveled throughout Europe in a red bus fitted out by his early students. Half of the seats were removed and armchairs for Karmapa and his entourage were installed. Stenciled on the side of the vehicle were the words Karma Kagyu Trust, the name of the first trust established in Europe by the Karma Kagyu lineage, while the hood of the bus featured the following aspiration:
May the banner of victory of the Kagyu teachings fly in a hundred directions.
Karmapa stayed at Chaban Castle with the Benson family. On the Côte de Jor, a tent was erected on the site where the temple was to stand (it would eventually be built in Auvergne). From October 28 to November 2, 1977, Karmapa led a week of accumulation of the Korlo Demchok practice (one of the main yidams of the lineage), accompanied by the 3rd Jamgön Kongtrul, Lama Gendun Rinpoche, Lama Jigme Rinpoche, an entourage of monks specialized in rituals, and in the presence of hundreds of practitioners and curious onlookers from across Europe.
On November 2, at the end of the week, Karmapa, settled upon his practice seat, officially signed the deed of donation of the land, which henceforth legally belongs to the Karma Kagyu Lama association, founded shortly before.
Through this intensive practice, the 16th Karmapa took possession of the site that had been offered to him to make the Buddha Dharma accessible to as many people as possible. On this autumn day, he sealed the blessing of the Karma Kagyü lineage in the Périgord region. He named the place Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, the place of transmission of Gampopa’s teachings, and designated it as his main seat, the heart of the lineage’s European network.
Several centuries earlier, in 1189, the 1st Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa (1110–1193), performed the same gestures and spoke the same words in Tibet when he founded Tsurphu Monastery, the seat of the Karmapas. Several centuries and thousands of kilometers separate these two events, yet their significance is identical—to anchor the blessing of the Karma Kagyü lineage in a place where it will be preserved and from where it can radiate to be of benefit to sentient beings.
The terms yidam, lineage, and blessing may seem beyond our novice understanding. They may resonate too intellectually in our theory-focused ears. During his visit to mark the 40th anniversary of Dhagpo Kundreul Ling on June 29, 2024, Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, explained that it is a miracle that Dharma environments have been able to appear and endure—the miracle of interdependence and an open heart,
Therefore, if our condition, if our environment is anything, it’s not just a coincidence, it’s not just a sense of destiny, meaning something predetermined; it’s simply a miracle, because of our wishes, our aspirations, and at the same time, because of the blessings of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. […] We talk about the 16th Karmapa and his noble aspirations in a way, as if there is a definite plan for all of us. For the fact that he came to the West, and that there was a definite plan to somehow be the next beacon of hope. And then somehow deliver us to the pure land of Amitabha, or somewhere, or to make this world a better place or something. I don’t believe that. But what I feel is that a bodhisattva can do their best. They know through and through that they cannot change the course of the so-called karma, or if there is a thing called destiny. They know that they cannot change it. All they can do is hope for the best. Hope that something impossible will take place. […] Why this situation is possible, is because our predecessors had great open heart. And therefore, this was somehow, let’s say, made possible.
Thanks to his great open heart, the 16th Karmapa planted an indestructible seed here on this site—may it continue to grow and blossom indefinitely.
These photos come from our archives or were collected as part of the research for Dhagpo Kagyu Ling’s 50th anniversary. We have not been able to identify all the authors. The use of these photos is solely for informational purposes within the context of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling’s 50th anniversary celebration. Their use is limited to this event and our website and is not for commercial purposes.
Event
To commemorate this event:
– November 2: Purification ritual through smoke offering
– From Wednesday 5 to Tuesday 11 November: Accumulation of the practice of Chakrasamvara
These photos come from our archives or were collected as part of the research for Dhagpo Kagyu Ling’s 50th anniversary. We have not been able to identify all the authors. The use of these photos is solely for informational purposes within the context of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling’s 50th anniversary celebration. Their use is limited to this event and our website and is not for commercial purposes.
