Immenstadt, 5 June 2026

Last farewell to Lama Ole

Over the past two weeks, around ten thousand people from around the world had come to the Europe Center in Immenstadt to say a personal farewell to Lama Ole. Today, that time came to a close.

As Lama Ole's body was carried from the Europe Center, a traditional Bavarian gun salute rang out. Students and friends had gathered in the courtyard, and together with Nedo Rinpoche and Lama Ole's family, they escorted the hearse to the downhill entrance. Jigme Rinpoche, Nedo Rinpoche, and Lama Ole's family accompanied his body to the cremation site.

It was a moment for us to recall the words of Thaye Dorje, H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. He advised us not to look for a successor, as Lama Ole's qualities, role, and activity are unique and cannot be replaced. He reassured us that we already have everything necessary to continue on the path, encouraging us to deepen and maintain our practice with confidence.

Immenstadt, 27 May 2026

Farewell to Lama Ole

On May 22, Jigme Rinpoche opened the condolence room at the Europe Center. Over the Pentecost weekend, around 5,000 Buddhists came to pay their last respects to Lama Ole Nydahl. One by one, they approached and stood at Lama Ole's coffin.

Jigme Rinpoche and Nedo Rinpoche performed pujas in the adjoining room each day. From time to time, Karmapa also came to meditate there privately. Meanwhile, students meditated outside, in the grounds of the villa that had been Lama Ole's home in recent years.

On the evening of May 23, Karmapa met several thousand of Lama Ole's students in the large meditation tent, where he gave the reading transmission (lung) for the Four Foundational Practices (Ngöndro) and for the 8th Karmapa meditation.

Karmapa emphasized the outstanding importance of meditation. After that, he stayed to do his own evening meditation, which all present were able to participate in.

The condolence room at the Europe Center is open until June 4 for all who wish to pay their respects. Further details can be found on the Europe Center website: www.europe-center.org

Immenstadt, 23 May 2026

In honour of Lama Ole Nydahl: Karmapa leads farewell ceremonies at the Europe Center

On May 21, 2026, following the completion of Lama Ole Nydahl's Thugdam, Thaye Dorje, H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, opened the farewell ceremonies at the Europe Center in Immenstadt, in the presence of eminent Rinpoches and Lamas of the Karma Kagyu lineage and several thousand students.

The following day, western students gathered in the large tent for meditation, while Jigme Rinpoche, Nedo Rinpoche, and Tibetan Lamas performed traditional Tibetan rituals at Lama Ole's coffin.

Say farewell in person

On May 22, 2026, Jigme Rinpoche opened the condolence room at the Europe Center, where everyone is warmly invited to pay their last respects to Lama Ole Nydahl in person until June 4th, 2026.

Further details can be found on the Europe Center website: www.europe-center.org/de

Condolences from Around the World

Following the passing of Lama Ole Nydahl on May 18, 2026, Rinpoches and Monasteries of the Karma Kagyu lineage shared their condolences on social media, and were met with heartfelt expressions of gratitude from students and people around the world for his tireless activity following the wishes of the 16th Karmapa.

Share your Condolences

You are welcome to share your condolences at [email protected].