Gyalwa Karmapa gave teachings and empowerments in KIBI, New Delhi

In the late afternoon of Wednesday, 7th March 2007, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, arriving from his residence in Kalimpong, was given a hearty welcome at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute, New Delhi. He was received by a cheerful crowd of disciples from all over the world. Devotees from more than 20 different countries had gathered at the institute to attend a weeklong course on the Bodhisattvas’ way of life held by the Gyalwa Karmapa. Just prior to His Holiness’ arrival, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche graced both visitors and students with a public lecture on Mahamudra in the assembly hall.

The teachings of the Karmapa, which were on the 8th, 13th and 14th, were given in the evening in the beautifully adorned assembly hall of the institute. This visit had been long awaited with high expectations by the guests who had come from afar. His Holiness did not disappoint them. Karmapa gave a moving discourse on how precious human existence is, afterwards leaving space to answer individual questions.  In between the teachings, His Holiness gave a series of empowerments to the people attending the closing of this semester at KIBI. These included the Bodhisattva and Refuge vow on the 9th, Chenrezig on the 10th, White Tara on the 12th, and Amitayus on the 15th. His Holiness made sure to explain the significance of each empowerment by beginning and ending each event with pith instructions on what to practice and how one should practice.

Karmapa took the time in the midst of the ongoing classes to meet privately with many of the hundreds of people who came to join the closing ceremonies of this semester at KIBI. His Holiness also met privately with several prominent people from different embassies who represented the diversity of the students in attendance from all over the world.

The visit of the Karmapa at the institute crowns the end of this year’s term at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute, and also constitutes a new beginning for the institute, after a one year break for renovations. Aside from the course conducted by the Gyalwa Karmapa himself, daily classes on different subjects of Buddhist Philosophy were held by the esteemed Buddhist scholar Prof. Sempa Dorje as well as Khenpo Tsering Samdrub during that time.