His Holiness the 17th Karmapa gave Buddhist Refuge and the Bodhisattva Promise, together with explanations of these central aspects of Buddhism to 3,200 Dharma practitioners from Germany and around the world.
In February 2005, about 100 practitioners went into the traditional three year retreat in Dhagpo Kundreul Ling, a Karma Kagyu monastery in France, founded by Gendun Rinpoche. Gyalwa Karmapa was asked to give the necessary empowerments to them.
Together with the Indian Union Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Culture, Mr. Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Gyalwa Karmapa was Guest of Honour at the conference.
About 900 delegates, mainly from India, attended the conference. Gyalwa Karmapa gave two speeches and together with the Organising Committee of the conference he led a Peace March with about 1000 participants through the city of Mumbai.
On July 16th, Gyalwa Karmapa arrives in Perpignan from Dhagpo Kagyu Ling.
On July 12th, Gyalwa Karmapa arrives in Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, his main seat in Europe. About 1500 disciples attend the lectures and empowerments.
