The financial crisis in Europe, and the suffering caused by it, is something that has increasingly drawn my attention. The population of young people – my own age group – is particularly affected by it. I believe that in Spain, where I begin my third European tour this week, more than half of young people are unemployed. Therefore, I believe that questions such as “what is wealth?’ and “what makes us wealthy?” are more relevant today than ever before.

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje Transmits the Empowerment of Avalokiteshvara in Benalmadena
 
On June 18, 2012, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa traveled from Karma Guen to Benalmadena to transmit the empowerment of Avalokiteshvara (Chenresig), “the complete manifestation of the compassion of all the Buddhas of past, present and future” (His Holiness’ definition).

On June 17 His Holiness gave the empowerment of Drolkar (White Tara), once again to a similarly large gathering.

Drolkar is a Buddha aspect connected with longevity, and His Holiness Karmapa explained the importance of having a long life, once one has been born as a human being.

Karma Guen, Malaga, June 16 2012 – His Holiness transmits the empowerment of Gonkar (White Mahakala)

Karma Guen is a Buddhist centre of the Karma Kagyu tradition, nestled in the mountains of Velez-Malaga. The year 2012 is a very special one for Karma Guen: it marks the twenty-fifth anniversary since its inception in 1987 by Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, as well as Pedro and Dorrit Gomez, under the inspiration of Lama Ole and Hannah Nydahl.
The occasion is being celebrated with the “Big Summer Course 2012”, which started on June 7 with an exceptional visit of Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, followed by teachings and courses with Lama Ole Nydahl, and ending with the special highlight of His Holiness Karmapa’s programme.

June 15, 2012 – His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa arrives at Malaga airport



His Holiness Karmapa’s arrival in Spain, which marked the beginning of a two-and-a-half month tour of Europe, had been eagerly awaited by tens of thousands of his followers. This tour will lead him to a total of six European countries (Spain, Lithuania, Hungary, Germany, England and France), and constitutes the second part of his extensive travel itinerary scheduled for 2012, the first part having been devoted to various destinations in South East Asia.