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His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, To Visit U.S.

Mar 11, 2008

Dear Friends in the Dharma,

His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is visiting the United States. One of the most revered Buddhist leaders in the world, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, the spiritual leader of the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, will be making an historic visit to the United States, 15 May - 2 June 2008. This will be his first visit to North America during which he will give public talks and visit Buddhist centres in three cities: New York, NY; Boulder, CO; and Seattle, WA. Details about the public events will be made public shortly.

The Karmapa is the leader of the Kagyu tradition, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The present Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is the 17th reincarnation in an unbroken succession dating back over 800 years. Karmapa literally means, "The embodiment of all the activities of the Buddha." For centuries, the Karmapas have served as great spiritual teachers and meditation masters, venerated as enlightened sages. The Karmapa's purpose is to manifest unconditional compassion in a direct, accessible way.

Historically, the Karmapas have been entirely non-political. Since his escape from Tibet in 2000, the Karmapa has resided at Gyuto Tantric University near Dharamsala, the residence of the Dalai Lama in India. He has spent this period receiving essential Buddhist teachings from eminent masters and scholars. In 2006, the Karmapa turned 21 years old. Thousands of people from all over the world came to celebrate his birthday. He has not traveled outside of India, until now. This is his first visit to the West.

In February 2007, His Holiness Karmapa appointed The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche as the representative of his Office of Administration in the United States. The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche has been given full responsibility to oversee and direct the visit of His Holiness to the United States. One of His Holiness' key instructions to Ponlop Rinpoche is to work together to plan and implement the tour with all the sanghas who have submitted invitations to His Holiness. Therefore, beginning in March 2007, Ponlop Rinpoche invited representatives from various sanghas to join the National and Regional Coordinating Committees for the tour. He also invited representatives to serve on the Sangha Advisory Board in each of the three regions where His Holiness will be visiting.

Over the past year of extensive planning, many sanghas have contributed time and energy to make this tour a reality, on the coordinating committees and advisory boards. They include: Karma Triyana Dharmachakra and affiliates, Nalandabodhi, Shambhala International, Mangala Shri Bhuti, Centers affiliated with Venerable Kalu Rinpoche, Kagyu Droden Kunchab, Kagyu Changchub Chuling, Kagyu Dakshang Chuling and Sukhasiddhi Foundation, Satdharma, Naropa University, Centers affiliated with Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche, Vajravidya and Karma Mahasiddha Ling, Rigpa USA, Evam Buddhist Institute, and Yongey Buddhist Center.

The Karmapa Visit Support Network is a group of Dharma centers and communities who are interested in receiving the most up-to-date official information regarding the visit, and spreading the word among their members. We will be happy to provide you with materials about the public events as the details become available. If you are interested, please send an email to the planning committee in the city nearest you.

New York, NY:
Boulder, CO:
Seattle, WA:

Very soon, we will launch the official website for the American visit of the Karmapa (under construction) click here which will contain complete details on public events, ticket sales, and background information on the Karmapa and the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

To visit the official website of His Holiness Karmapa (India) click here.

May our energies gather together in a harmonious way, as one sangha family, to welcome the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa to the United States and support His Holiness' work to benefit countless sentient beings.

Sincerely yours in the Dharma,
Karmapa in America National Coordinating Committee (NCC) for U.S. Visit, 2008;
A Project of Karmapa Foundation H.H. Karmapa's Office of Administration, U.S.
With additional information from Diane Biray Gregorio and Mary Chung
Chiefs of Staff for the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, H.H. Karmapa's Office of Administration, U.S.



(This announcement was from the Shambhala News Service)