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 millions of Westerners to the timeless methods of the 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, always in the company of dozens of his students. He has taught Diamond Way (Skt. Vajrayana) Buddhism in over sixty countries and founded more than six hundred Diamond Way centers. In accordance with the wishes of H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, H.H. the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, and H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje, Lama Ole has given countless introductory lectures, and his courses have emphasized these areas of Diamond Way Buddhist teachings:
- The Great Seal (Skt. Mahamudra)
- The meditation of Conscious Dying (Tib. Phowa)
- The Four Foundational Practices (Tib. Ngöndro)
- The meditations on the 16th Karmapa and the 8th Karmapa (Skt. Guru Yoga)
At present, the seat of Lama Ole’s 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 remains a pillar of Diamond Way programs everywhere.
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, Nedo Kuchung Rinpoche, and Sherab Gyaltsen 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.”
