The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, the transmission place of Gampopa’s lineage, and the European seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Every month this year, from the moment in January when the Gyalwa Karmapa, in his 16th and 17th incarnations, set foot in Europe twenty-five years apart, right up to the present day, we will highlight milestones that planted the seeds for women and men from across Europe and beyond to receive authentic Buddhist teachings, experience the Buddhist path, and for Buddhist knowledge to be preserved and shared.
This is a year to learn about the precious Karma Kagyu lineage, to be inspired by what has been accomplished and to pay tribute to the masters that made it all possible. In this way, we deepen our confidence in the Buddha Dharma.
The year will be marked by dedicated practices on key dates to connect us to Dhagpo’s history, an online series of talks on the life of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, and special events that will be announced over the months to come.
February
February 6, 2000: the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa in Retreat at Dhagpo Kundreul Ling
After his first European tour, Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, travelled to Dhagpo Kundreul Ling in the Auvergne region where he stayed in retreat from February 6 to June 8, 2000 to pursue his education alongside His Holiness the 14th Künzig Shamarpa, Mipham Chökyi Lodrö (1952-2014).[…]
Event
To mark this event, on February 6th, the extensive ritual of Dorjé Pamo will be performed throughout the day in two locations: at the Institute of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling and in the great temple of Dhagpo Kundreul Ling.
February, 1996: Creation of Dhagpo Dedröl Ling, a center for secular practitioners
“Gendun Rinpoche spoke to us about his wish to create a retreat center for secular practitioners.
He asked us to carry out tsok accumulation practices for this to go well,” confides Lama Henrik in an interview with Tendrel magazine (no. 42, December 1996).
1985: Dhagpo Kagyu Ling Turns into a Worksite
From the month of February 1985, bulldozers transformed Dhagpo Kagyu Ling into a vast worksite to improve the Center’s living conditions and welcoming capacity.
Despite the rain, the work went ahead to dig trenches in order to install drains, water supply and electricity distribution pipes.[…]
Losar Over the Decades
As a local newspaper reports in February 1980,
“To celebrate this first day of the Tibetan New Year, people had come from everywhere: from Germany, the Paris region…but also from Périgord,” with Tibetan cakes served for all in the early morning.
The article refers to the presence of Lama Gendun Rinpoche and Lama Jigme Rinpoche, as well as Tenga Rinpoche
January
January 8, 1988: Official Recognition of Karme Dharma Chakra Congregation
January 9, 2000: During His Inaugural European Trip, the 17th Karmapa Visits Dhagpo Kagyu Ling
Under gusty skies at the turn of the new century, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, was greeted at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling on January 9— three days after arriving in Paris on his first visit to Europe.
Addressing some two thousand practitioners under a large marquee, the 16-year-old Gyalwa Karmapa recalled his predecessor’s instructions for Buddhism to take root in the West,
[…]
Event
To mark this date, we will gather in Dhagpo’s Institute to recite the Five Royal Sutras and the practice of Vajrasattva as requested by the 17th Karmapa, as well as the Sutra of Longevity.
The practice will also be streamed.
January 17, 1975: The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Meets Pope Paul VI at the Vatican
In a highly symbolic moment marking the Church’s openness to a Buddhist presence on European soil, Pope Paul VI met with the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje at the Vatican, in Rome, on January 17, 1975.
Welcoming the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, the Pope stated that “the Second Vatican Council expressed admiration for Buddhism in its various forms and for the contribution it makes to the spiritual elevation of man.”
Event
Dhagpo Kagyu Ling will perform a day-long garsang, a ritual practice that restores any damage caused to the inner or outer environment.
January 21, 1975: The16th Gyalwa Karmapa Touches Down in Dordogne
During a day trip to Dordogne on January 21, 1975, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje visited the stretch of land on the Côte de Jor that was to become Dhagpo Kagyu Ling.
He was invited by Bernard Benson, a British industrialist who owned the Château de Chaban and surrounding land on the Côte de Jor
[…]
Event
On January 21st, Lama Jigme Rinpoche will give a talk on the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, who described him as “his heart.”
Streaming in several languages will be available.
January 21, 2023: the Library Receives an Exceptional Collection
The late Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche had asked the Dhagpo library to acquire this exceptional work, to complement the version from Derge held in the traditional pecha format in its collection.
Coming soon… The key dates for Marchfévrier
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