New Year's Letter 2002

Lama Ole Nydahl
 
 
Wuppertal, January 1st, 2002
 
 
Dearest students and friends everywhere,

We have much to celebrate. Due to our shared confidence and close cooperation the year 2001 became a huge success. On a worldwide scale, our growth continued and the broad development of the Diamond Way Buddhist centres enriched the lives of thousands of people through Buddha’s ultimate teachings.

In nearly all of our over 300 centres, new people discovered their ability to give short introductory lectures. Countless personal connections arose from retreats and from travelling together. The tragic events of September 11th awakened many people to the values of the free world.

Here are some of the important highlights:

· Our first Venezuelan Diamond Way centre was bought in Caracas. In the Hispanic world, our travelling and local teachers and friends do an excellent job and work together between Mexico to Uruguay, with growing connections also to Spain.

· We will soon have The Great Seal in English. In November, the American and Australian centres generously offered the time set aside for “their teachings” for a book retreat. We hope for a big publisher, who can vitalize also the other books.

· A dozen new American groups formed in universities between Wisconsin and Texas.

· A house was bought in Canberra, Australia. It was incredibly inexpensive and after massive work, it is almost ready for people to move into.

· In Christchurch, New Zealand, we were able to buy a first plot of land for retreats. It is small but has an amazing view. We hope to also get the neighbouring ones soon.

· Work in Russia continues steadily. The main focus is still on the major cities along the transsibirian railroad. We bought a run-down boy scout camp, situated on 14 hectares of land near Volgograd.

· An old hotel was bought in the Carpathians, with an unbelievable view. It will be important for future retreats in the Ukraine.

· Our newest jewel is a 3.600 square meter property situated right in the city centre of Budapest, Hungary. A former brewery, there is a lot to do.

· Diamond Way Buddhism is now an officially recognized religion in Croatia and Greece.

· Soon we will be able to organize courses at our retreat place Berchen Ling in Greece. The ownership of our land on the mountain was challenged but now again belongs to us.

· Rodby, the retreat centre in Denmark, is now paid off and debt free.

· Up to 3.000 people took part in the big initiations given by Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche and Lopon Chechoo Rinpoche in connection with the Phowa course in Kassel.

· By the end of the year, our great centre in Hamburg will be the first property transferred to the newly established Diamond Way Foundation. The centre is now ready for the next construction phase. We are also acquiring a building across the street - the new “family house” which was empty for years. 180 people come for meditation every Thursday.

· Last, and very important, we (hopefully) found the place for the “Europe” Centre, which will have representatives worldwide. The land lays half way between Copenhagen and Graz and is close to the Rhine. Our vision could thus soon become reality. We will keep you posted!

 

As life is short, such progress is of vast importance and I feel that we put our time to good use. Together we bring lasting values into the world. We give many beings access to indestructible happiness.

May we be able to do even more in 2002! Working together shoulder to shoulder and for the benefit of all.

 

Yours,

Caty, Hannah and Lama Ole