Lama Ole Nydahl’s lecture in my city
buddhism, meditation July 3rd, 2008
I have had a chance to visit Lama Ole Nydahl lecture yesterday. Lama came to our city with the topic “Meditation in Buddhism”. I don’t have enough words to express light, happiness and aspiration of hundreds of people who came. I bought several books and carried them home as the most precious treasure I could buy.
Lama Ole is unbelievably open, real, compassionate and loving.
If you don’t know who Lama Ole Nydahl is, here’s a small introduction: he and his wife, Hannah Nydahl became the first Western devotees of 16th Karmapa, a leader of Karma Kagyu linage of Tibetan Buddhism. They have studied meditation and other Buddhist practices for several years under Karmapa’s personal guidance. After serious experience and transmissions, they got Karmapa’s blessing for teaching Buddhism in Western countries. Since then, Lama Ole travels around the world establishing new centers and spreading true values among people who is ready to accept them. There are over 450 centers established by Lama Ole and Hannah all over the world where any human being can find peace, meditate and fill life with meaning.
I had a feeling yesterday that I have found a close friend. We’ve talked about Buddhism essentials – morality, meditation and wisdom. We have discovered obstacles on the way to being happy and complete foolishness of these negative thoughts. Lama Ole gave us a possibility to accept refuge and get a blessing of Karma Kagyu linage. We have meditated together and got explanations of Medicine Buddha healing meditation. We have chanted few mantras during meditation, and the voice of several hundreds of people entered my heart and vibrated there long after the lecture was over.
Me and my significant one started doing Ngondro (preliminary practices in Vajrayana Buddhism) 2 weeks ago after getting a lung (oral practice transmission) from Lama Sonam Dorje, who is known to be the first Russian practitioner getting Lama status. We are so novice that I’m scared to write anything about Buddhism ☺ But I believe many novices are around and sharing experience is very important as we don’t live in Tibet/Nepal/India and our motivation should be supported every day and every minute.
I will write more on Lama Ole’s lecture later when I get home to see transcripts. I suddenly noticed how deeply Buddhism settled in my heart during last several months.
May all be happy, may all be free..
More to read:
Lama Ole Nydahl 2008 travel plan - check if you can meet Lama soon : )
Diamond Way Buddhism - informational site with teachings, press-releases, news and other useful things
July 4th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Hi, sounds full of positive inspiration.
I know Hannah and Ole from some 20 years ago, when building a center here in germany.
I took refuge then from Ole and still keep a high level of respect for his motivation and level of activities.
Have fun and be aware of yourself, armin
July 4th, 2008 at 7:56 am
… (just forgot notification … -:) )
July 4th, 2008 at 9:59 am
It’s very inspiring to meet people like Ole and his students. Our center here in Ukraine is still to be built and needs much work
Thanks for commenting! Can you tell if taking refuge and get involved 20 years ago changed many things in your life?
I guess it did as it does for me now..
July 4th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Nice blog. Now we have 576 centres..the number is always growing:
http://www.diamondway-buddhism.org/default.asp?col=04&t=centers.htm
Best of luck in your practice.
May all beings be completely free!
July 4th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Paul, thank you!
I hope we’ll soon have a center built in our city too.
May your practice bring happiness and light
July 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am
@Armin: I love your blog about India traveling. We’re planning a long trip in autumn-winter, hoping to visit Kagyu Monlam in BodhGaya and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche teachings in Kathmandu. Me and my husband have been to India once, but this Dharma journey will be definitely different.
I’ll explore your “Postcards from India” for more useful information
July 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am
hi anna,
things are changing every second … it does not really matter wether we look at 1 day after the first teaching or 20 years.
it is more important that we try to change thinks every minute to the best.
armin
July 7th, 2008 at 3:09 am
Thanks for sharing your story, very inspiring. Unfortunately no eastern Canada visits on his tour yet.
Zendad
http://www.zendad.net
July 7th, 2008 at 9:51 am
@zendad: I hope you will have an opportunity to meet this special person in future
@armin: I agree. No one knows how much time he/she has in this life..