Lama Ole Nydahl’s activity
Lama Ole Nydahl is one of the best-known Western Buddhist teachers. As a recognized lama of the Karma Kagyu lineage and close student of H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, Lama Ole has dedicated his life to spreading Buddhism in the West. Together with his late wife Hannah Nydahl, he has introduced innumerable people to the timeless methods of the Karma Kagyu school. These centuries-old teachings create the basis to recognize the nature of mind—to reach liberation and enlightenment.
Lama Ole traveled around the world twice per year for nearly fifty years, to teach Diamond Way (Skt. Vajrayana) Buddhism in over sixty countries. He founded more than six hundred Diamond Way centers. In accordance with the wishes of his teachers, Lama Ole has given countless introductory lectures and courses and showed through his example, how to live buddhism in daily life. His areas of Diamond Way Buddhist teachings:
- The Four Foundational Practices (Tib. Ngöndro)
- The Great Seal (Skt. Mahamudra)
- The meditation of Conscious Dying (Tib. Phowa)
- The meditations on the 16th Karmapa and the 8th Karmapa (Skt. Guru Yoga)
At present, the seat of Lama Ole’s (born 1941) work is the Europe Center, an international Diamond Way Buddhist center located in the foothills of the German Alps. Here, he frequently meets students who travel to see him from all around the world. He gives Buddhist refuge to new practitioners on a regular basis and holds open sessions in the big meditation hall of the Europe Center. Through online meetings, he also stays in touch with his centers and groups.
Every year, Lama Ole hosts the International Summer Course, where thousands of his students gather to meditate and receive teachings and empowerments from the highest Karma Kagyu teachers, including H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje, H.E. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Lama Jigme Rinpoche and Nedo Kuchung Rinpoche.
On Lama Ole’s 81st Birthday, Thaye Dorje, H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, honored him with these words:
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Lama Ole Nydahl for his tireless efforts in spreading the teachings of the Buddha and the Karma Kagyu lineage. His dedication to the benefit of others is truly inspiring. I wish him a very happy birthday and many more years of good health and continued success in his activities.”
