Buddhism

What is Buddhism?

The Buddha gave practical methods to overcome suffering, develop compassion and wisdom for the benefit of all, and transform one's view to recognise the inherent perfection in all phenomena. Buddha always encouraged his students to be critical, inviting them to check for themselves whether his teachings were dogmatic or truly liberating.

What is Diamond Way?

In general, Diamond Way is the English translation of the Sanskrit Vajrayana - a term for Buddha's most profound methods. Specifically, it is also the name of the network of Buddhist Centres of the Karma Kagyu lineage, under the spiritual authority of H.H. 17^th Karmapa, Trinlay Thaye Dorje and practical guidance of Lama Ole Nydahl.

Inside a modern, accessible framework we practice and offer to others the methods which were used for centuries in India and then Tibet, transmitted in an unbroken lineage of fully realised teachers.

The Karma Kagyu Transmission Lineage

The motor of Diamond Way Buddhism is transmission, the passing on from teacher to student of teachings and methods - as well as the experience of their result. As such, there are numerous authentic lineages alive today - unbroken lines of descent from the Buddha himself. The Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism is an example of one such lineage. Being heavily practice oriented, the Kagyu is called the school of oral transmission. It was brought to Tibet from India by the hero Marpa around year 1050. Its specialty is the view of the Great Seal (Mahamudra) and its power derives from the close bond between teacher and student. The Karmapa, who first incarnated in the 12^th century and is now in his 17^th incarnation, is the main teacher today.

A teacher's authenticity rests upon having received the lineage teachings; having realised them; having kept a pure connection with their own teachers; and having been authorised by their own teachers to pass these teachings on.

Our Teachers

H.H. the 17^th Gyalwa Karmapa, Trinlay Thaye Dorje

The Gyalwa Karmapa is a fully enlightened being and holder of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Buddhism. In the 12^th century, the first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa became a holder of the Kagyu lineage. Before his death he predicted the exact circumstances of his next rebirth. His successor, the second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi, was the first recognized reincarnate lama of Tibet. His lineage, the Karma Kagyu, grew to become one of the most prominent in Tibet. Following the Chinese invasion in the 1950s, the Karma Kagyu teachings spread across the globe through the activity of H.H. the 16^th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. The present 17^th Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje was found and recognized according to tradition by H.H. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, second to the Karmapa in the Karma Kagyu Lineage. Karmapa Thaye Dorje resides in Kalimpong, India, and in recent years has travelled extensively around the world, giving teachings and empowerments to thousands of students. Karmapa Thaye Dorje has completed a traditional Tibetan Buddhist education and has received the full transmission of the Kagyu Lineage, attaining the position of Vajracharya, or Highest Tantra Master in 2003. He has also received a modern Western education, including the study of Western philosophy and science. He has visited the UK twice, first in 2005 and also in 2007.

H.H. Shamar Rinpoche

The present Kunzig Shamarpa, Mipham Chokyi Lodro was recognized by the 16^th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje as the 14^th Shamarpa reincarnation. Shamar Rinpoche received the entire cycle of Kagyu teachings from H.H. the 16^th Karmapa, staying with him until his death in 1981. Since then he has devoted his efforts to the many projects initiated by the late 16th Karmapa. He has completed the reprinting of the Tengyur, a body of two hundred and fourteen volumes in which prominent Indian and Tibetan masters elucidate the teachings given by the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. Shamar Rinpoche also supports and offers guidance to Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the sixteenth Karmapa. He co-founded and brought into being the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute, New Delhi, India. The Institute currently offers courses in Buddhist studies for both monastic and lay students. Shamar Rinpoche frequently travels abroad where he teaches at the many Kagyu centers world-wide.

Lama Ole Nydahl

Lama Ole Nydahl is probably the best known Western Buddhist teacher. He and his wife Hannah met H.H. the 16^th Karmapa in Nepal in the late 1960s. They spent three years in the Himalayas as Karmapa's students receiving Buddhist teachings and developing the necessary experience in meditation.

In 1972, Lama Ole was asked by H.H. the 16^th Karmapa to teach Buddhism and make it accessible to people in the West. He founded the first European Karma Kagyu centre in his home town of Copenhagen, Denmark. Since then he has travelled around the world teaching in a different city almost every day. He has now started over 500 meditation centres, used by thousands of friends. Since the 16^th Karmapa's death in 1981, Lama Ole has directed the Diamond Way Centres of the Karma Kagyu Lineage. This work continues under the spiritual guidance of H.H. the 17^th Karmapa Thaye Dorje.

Lama Ole Nydahl is well known for his vivid and authentic Buddhist teachings, always with a touch of dry Danish humour. His lifestyle shows that spontaneous freshness and resting in one's mind belong together.

Hannah Nydahl

Hannah Nydahl, together with her husband Ole became the closest Western students of H.H. the 16^th Karmapa. As well as being an accomplished teacher in her own right, for over 30 years Hannah's activity focussed on interpreting for the Karma Kagyu lamas and translating texts of Buddhist philosophy. As such she acted as a bridge between the East and West. Hannah's calm and perceptive teaching style, as well as her loving kindness, compassion and wisdom touched everyone who knew her. Sadly, she passed away on April 1^st 2007, but her great example continues to inspire Diamond Way students.

Meditation

What is meditation?

In Buddhism, meditation meditation means "effortlesly remaining in what is." This state may be brought about by calming and holding the mind, by realizing compassion and wisdom, or by working with the body's energy channels and meditating on Buddha forms of light and energy. The most effective method is the constant identification with one's own Buddha nature, and the experience of always being in a Pure Land, both of which are taught in the Diamond Way. When the oneness of the seer, what is seen, and the act of seeing is unbroken - during and between the times of meditation - the goal of the Great Seal (Mahamudra) is reached.

New to meditation?

No prior experience is necessary. Practical advise is always available from experienced members of the group for anyone wishing to learn about Diamond Way Buddhism, or to start their own meditation practice.

Our practices

What kind of meditation can you expect to learn at the London Centre?

• 16^th Karmapa Meditation
• Refuge Meditation
• The Four Foundational Practices
• Loving Eyes Meditation
• Preparation Meditation for Conscious Dying

16^th Karmapa Meditation

The practical and comprehensive tool for enlightenment was given to Hannah and Lama Ole in the late Sixties, by H.H. the 16^th Karmapa, Ranjung Rigpe Dorje. Honouring his wish over the years it has always been kept fresh and on the cutting edge of western minds. Its emphasis is on actively continuing the pure view, obtained in meditation, into daily life.

The 16^th Karmapa Meditation is our main, regular group practice. It is suitable for beginners and experienced practicioners alike and is practiced at all Diamond Way Buddhist centres as a guided meditation.

Refuge Meditation

Whoever has reached liberation or full enlightenment since beginningless time has always first opened up to what which is absolute. If we want to recognise our mind we need teachers who already know it, teachings that make it visible and friends in whow one can trust. Therefore we take refuge in the Buddha, the fully developed state of mind, in his teachings or 'Dharma' and in the Sangha, our friends and helpers on the way.

The 11,111 repetitions of the refuge formula help to evaluate our endurance before starting out on the deeply transformative and really time-consuming practices such as The Four Foundational Pracices.

The Four Foundational Practices

"It is impossible to overestimate the value of the Ngondro, the four foundational practices of Tibetan Buddhism. In a direct and very practical way, these preliminary practices bring forth our potential while removing the veils which keep us from experiencing and expressing out enlightened nature."

The Ngdondro lays the foundation for successful practice of the 'Great Seal' (Mahamudra). In the order they are traditionally practiced, they consist of "Taking Refuge and Feveloping the Enlightened Attitude with Prostrations", "Diamond Mind" (Vajrasattva), "Mandala Offerings", and "Guru Yoga (Meditation on the Lama). Working with out totality, they have a transforming effect on our body, speech and mind. Unblocking the energy channels of the body, purifying heavy impressions in the subconscious left by anger, filling the mind with positive imprints and developing wisdom, and receiving the blessing of the transmission lineage.

Once each month the London Centre holds a 'Ngondro Weekend'. These are a chance for those who want to develop and strengthen their meditation practice, get the necessary explanations, and spend time going deeper into the practices. Experiences members of the centre are always available to give introductions into these practices or answer questions.

Loving Eyes Meditation

No character trait is finer than compassion and the Buddha was very conscious on this. He frequently advised people to specifically develop this quality. The different forms of Loving Eyes (Tib. Chanrezig, Skt. Avalokitesvara) manifest to help beings everywhere and represent the widest expression of kindness on the beyond-personal level. This meditation is often practiced on Mondays in the London Centre after the regular Monday program.

Buddha of Limitless Light Meditation

The practice of Conscious dying or 'Phowa' is one of the most profound teachings of Diamond Way Buddhism. During this practice one trains the ability to transfer ones consciousness at the moment of death into a state of highest bliss. Lama Ole teaches Phowa several times a year. Those who wish to learn Phowa with Lama Ole are advised to find out which international course is the most suitable to attend. At the centre one can learn the preparatory meditation on the Buddha of Limitless Light which is a prerequisite for the Phowa. Contact the centre to find out more information.