His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's Greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, www.buddhachannel.tv.

On the occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 85th Birthday, His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa shared a video message on Facebook in Tibetan.

Watch the video message posted on the Karmapa Facebook page.

It is a greeting to His Holiness the Dalai Lama but also a message to all of us. His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa is urging us to put His Holiness's advice into practice.

Here is the English transcript published on www.kagyuoffice.org.

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's Greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the Occasion of His Eighty-Fifth Birthday

"In the realm encircled by snow mountains,
You are the source of all benefit and happiness.
Tenzin Gyatso, powerful Chenrezik,
May you remain until samsara’s end.

"To His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nobel Laureate, the kind protector of the Land of Snow, Lord of the Victorious Ones, I offer my infinite good wishes on his eighty-fifth birthday. Along with these, I wish him a very long life and pray that all his compassionate wishes and instructions will be spontaneously accomplished.

"This year the Central Tibetan Administration has organized a celebration to remember His Holiness’ kindness. Ignoring numerous difficulties and full of life, from the past to the present moment His Holiness has been engaging with powerful compassion in immense and vast activity for the planet in general and for Tibet in particular. It goes without saying that with a mind filled with gratitude, we should support his efforts with our body, speech, and mind.

"Especially, for the sake of all Tibetan people, through his loving-kindness, His Holiness seeks to increase their harmonious relationships with each other as well as their freedom and happiness. Further, for benefit of the whole world, through his kindness and promotion of nonviolence, he encourages us to study Buddhist philosophy and engage in practice. By uniting traditional Buddhist teachings with contemporary ways of scientific thinking, he makes clear what we should abandon and embody.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, www.tibetanjournal.com.

"All of these activities bring benefit universally and individually, for self and other. For this reason, more than ever before, we should pay attention and make serious efforts to follow his teachings, which give clear guidance on what we should give up and take up.

"What is most important is that for our part, we strive to foster activity that, in accord with the wishes of His Holiness, benefits living beings in general as well as all Tibetans and those who walk the path of virtue.

"All along, His Holiness has been giving us abundant advice. The two main points we should take away from his teachings are the need to transform our minds and to increase our understanding of what to abandon and what to embody. The outcome of our practice depends on our individual efforts. If we do not try to do this, then the counsel he has given us becomes meaningless: it is critical that we put it into practice.

"At this fortunate time, we are able to meet and listen to the teachings of His Holiness, who is like the Buddha himself. If we are going to make these connections with him, now is the time to do it. Thinking that we will do it in the future has no benefit. Using his Holiness’ name to seek benefit to ourselves brings us no advantage. Not only will it not help us, we could actually be harming ourselves and others as well. One could say that there is no greater negative action that using Chenrezik’s name for our own benefit and harming others.

"His Holiness looks after the Tibetan people like a parent cares for their child nurturing them with affection and love. Tibetans argue about the three different regions of Tibet and about the different spiritual traditions in Tibet. This is like a child who does not care for its elderly parents and upsets them. This disruption of harmony will be the greatest disappointment for His Holiness. To speak honestly, I have the feeling that from his point of view, more than those who criticize him personally, he is disturbed by those who do not take into consideration all Tibetans, but promote inner strife among them.

"It is very easy to say 'gratitude,' and very difficult to analyze one’s own inner feelings and actually put gratitude into practice. Why is this so? Naturally and innately, we all have a very dense habit of grasping onto the characteristics of an object and grasping onto the reality of a self. Therefore, we must train by making a real effort to develop our ability to care for others more than ourselves and think carefully about the meaning of what constitutes the public good.

"We should listen to and reflect again and again on His Holiness’ teachings, and not only think about them but actually put them into practice. This way we will become better people and continue to develop ourselves further.

"In conclusion, I pray that His Holiness will remain with us for a long time and that all his activity will be spontaneously accomplished. Thank you."

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, www.hillpost.in.

Celebrating His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's 35th Birthday

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, www.kagyuoffice.org.

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje celebrates his thirty-fifth birthday on June 26, 2020.

Karmapa By Tenzin Kunsel

To honor the day please enjoy a beautiful music video by a popular Tibetan singer, Tenzin Kunsel.

Watch "གངས་རིའི་རྒྱལ་སྲས། [ Karmapa By Tenzin Kunsel ] Official music video 2018" on the Tenzin Kunsel YouTube channel.

The video was filmed at Buddha Park of Ravangla, also known as Tathagata Tsal, near Rabong (Ravangla) in South Sikkim district, Sikkim, India.

The statue was named the Tathagata Tsal Buddha statue by His Holiness the Dalai Lama who later consecrated the Buddha statute in 2013, the year the one hundred twenty eight foot high hammered copper statue was completed.

In 2018 Tenzin Kunsel released this video, "འཁྲུངས་སྐར་བསུ། | Trungkar su | 33rd Birthday Celebration of Karmapa | Tenzin Kunsel," also available on the Tenzin Kunsel YouTube channel.

Distribution of Food Aid in Bihar State, India

Kagyu Monlam shared on Facebook on June 22, 2020, "The preparation of essential dry ration to be distributed to 1200 poor families on the auspicious 35th birthday of HH the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa on June 26, 2020. We feel fortunate being a part of compassion in action’s aid work in this pandemic time.

"“कर्म ही धर्म है” Karam hi Dharam hai

Kagyu Monlam Pavilion, Tergar Monastery, Kagyu Monlam Facebook.

"The COVID19 Crisis relief works under the Compassion in Action project of Kagyu Monlam as par His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa’s vision of a world where we all look after each other with kindness. #together #wecan #wewill #worldpeace

"#IndiaFightsCoronavirus #COVID19 #COVID19Pandemic#StayHome #FightCOVID19 #kagyumonlam #coronavirus#TogetherWeCan #unitedagainstcoronavirus #karunaagainstcorona

Kagyu Monlam Pavilion, Tergar Monastery, Kagyu Monlam Facebook.

"Kagyu Monlam is to spread the seeds of loving kindness and pure motivation, to activate their power, and hence bring about genuine peace, love, happiness and well-being in the world. ~ 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

For more updates follow @kagyumonlam"

Distribution of Customized Sheets to Rainproof Homes in Bakrour Village, Bihar State, India

Kagyu Monlam shared on Facebook on June 25, 2020, "In celebration of auspicious 35th Birthday (June 26) of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, we offered customised sheets to 150 poor Maha Dalit families in Bakrour village, Bodhgaya. On our last visit for the free distribution of dry ration to poor villages, we came across a newly established village of 150 families in Bakrour village, Bodhgaya who are staying in grass huts. We measured the size and requirement of sheets to protect them from rain. Accordingly, we ordered customised good quality sheets from Kolkata.

Bakrour Village, Kagyu Monlam Facebook.

"Today, the team of Kagyu Monlam led by Lama Chodrak visited the village. In the presence of a village head and a local Bikkhu, we distributed customised sheets to 150 families and we are happy that they can welcome the monsoon rain with a big smile. The beneficiaries of this project are families of Jagan Manjhi, Indra Devi, Shanti Devi, Panpa Devi, Shela Devi, Jagath Manjhi, Rakesh Manjhi, and a total of 150 families.

“कर्म ही धर्म है” Karam hi Dharam hai

The COVID19 Crisis relief works under the Compassion in Action project of Kagyu Monlam as par His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa’s vision of a world where we all look after each other with kindness.

#IndiaFightsCoronavirus #COVID19 #COVID19Pandemic#StayHome #FightCOVID19 #kagyumonlam #coronavirus#TogetherWeCan #unitedagainstcoronavirus #karunaagainstcorona 

Bakrour Village, Kagyu Monlam Facebook.

Kagyu Monlam is to spread the seeds of loving-kindness and pure motivation, to activate their power, and hence bring about genuine peace, love, happiness, and well-being in the world. - 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

For more updates follow @kagyumonlam"

Tree Planting at Tergar Monastery, Bodhgaya, Bihar State, India

Kagyu Monlam, in Bodhgaya, Bihar State, India, shared on Facebook on June 25, 2020, "In celebration of auspicious 35th Birthday (June 26) of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Kagyu Monlam initiating tree plantation program in the campus keeping in mind His Holiness advice on greater awareness of our deep connectedness to one another and to the planet. We are continuing the tree plantation program further in this monsoon season with more plants and environmentally friendly activities.

Tergar Monastery, Kagyu Monlam Facebook.

“कर्म ही धर्म है” Karam hi Dharam hai

#tree #plantation #treeplanting #ecofriendly #environment#environmentallyfriendly #khoryug #mothernature #green #greencampus#saveenvironment #flowers #nature

"Kagyu Monlam is to spread the seeds of loving-kindness and pure motivation, to activate their power, and hence bring about genuine peace, love, happiness, and well-being in the world. - 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

For more updates follow @kagyumonlam"

A Birthday Gift From His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa

A June 25, 2020 email from Dharma Ebooks read, "In celebration of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa's official birthday, Dharma Ebooks in collaboration with KTD Publications has published Finding Genuine Practice.

"Comprising teachings His Holiness gave in 2014 on Geshe Langri Thangpa’s the Eight Verses of Training the Mind, this book is intended as a gift from His Holiness to his students on the occasion of his official 35th birthday.

"It is available for download from the link below, and printed copies will be available from www.KTDPublication.com and www.NamseBangdzo.com"

Download the free book from the Dharma Ebooks website.

Birthday Celebration at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra

The North American seat of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa is Karma Triyana Dharmachakra in Woodstock, New York. Each year the Dharma center celebrates His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's birthday.

Kyabje Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche (1924-2019) celebrating His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's birthday, 2017,  Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Facebook.

The program included a morning puja for His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's health, longevity, and vibrant dharma activity. Karma Triyana Dharmachakra prayed especially for essential workers, first responders, health care workers, and those who have died in the epidemic. Lama Karma Drodhul, president of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, said, "We want to dedicate merit especially to those who have passed away because of this illness."

June 26, 2020

7:00 AM - 9:00 AM PT

Watch a recording of the livestream on the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra YouTube channel.

Make an offering on the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra website.

Watch His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Speak on Care for Planet Earth

World Environment Day, www.earthereminder.com.

Happy World Environment Day

Happy World Environment Day today, June 5, 2000, the the day designated by United Nations to encourage global awareness and action to protect the environment.

Care for Planet Earth

Watch His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje speak on care for planet Earth in a video that livestreamed during the week-long prayer sessions led for world peace and an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Watch the April 24, 2020 video on the Karmapa YouTube channel.




Read the official transcript published on www.kagyuoffice.org.

"Tashi delek. Today is the sixth day of our prayers for the pandemic to subside. Today we will recite Karma Chakme’s Aspiration for Birth in Sukhavati.

"In Tibet, there are many different prayers for rebirth in Sukhavati. Some long and some short, but the one that people know best is this one by Karma Chakme.

"The Mahayana tradition teaches that there are pure and impure world realms. But we shouldn’t understand pure and impure as referring to the outer form. Instead, we should think that they refer to the subtle causes and conditions that create that world. It is said that an impure realm, such as this earth, is created by the shared karma and afflictions of the sentient beings in it, and a pure realm is created by the aspirations of a buddha. Among all the many pure realms, Sukhavati is the easiest to take birth in, and has the greatest benefits, so it is the most well-known.

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, November 2015, Kristian Niemi, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

"Modern scientists have done a lot of research into our solar system, our galaxy, and the rest of this infinite universe. They are searching for other planets that might be habitable, just as the earth is. But we are neglecting our own precious planet, this beautiful earth that sustains us and is bursting with the energy of life.

"Although since the industrial revolution, our lives have become easier and facilities more developed, we have achieved this by plundering the earth for resources, and we have covered more of it with buildings and roads, causing great destruction in the process. We have triggered global warming, and caused deforestation, the melting of glaciers, and the pollution of rivers and oceans.

"Every day hundreds of species go extinct because of human actions.

"Our greed knows no limits. It is so strong that even swallowing the entire earth could not satisfy it. We hear about all of this on the news. We hear about the research, but we have no actual experience, especially those of us who live in cities. When it gets hot, we turn up the AC, and when it gets cold, we turn on the heating. We always try to make ourselves more comfortable, and life more enjoyable. For the individual, it seems such a small thing, but we never consider how great a burden we are placing on the earth or the cost to the environment. If we feel slightly uncomfortable, we get upset and want to change things. But all the other beings are enduring a thousand times more suffering and pain due to the environmental destruction that we have wrought. And they can do nothing but suffer and die. Therefore, we need to see things from their perspective and think hard. Then we can finally become more motivated and more sincere in taking care of the home we share together.

Earth by NASA/Kevin M. Gill, CC BY 2.0.

"We must recognize how dense our ignorance is. We must cherish this planet that provides the foundation for us to live, and treasure the natural environment. The survival of our own and future generations depends on this.

"Yesterday was Earth Day. Actually, every minute that we are alive, every breath we take is intimately connected with our planet, so every day should be Earth Day for us. Perhaps it’s even a little sad that we need to have an Earth Day to remind us to celebrate it. It’s a sign that we human beings are forgetting who we are.

"Now we will recite Karma Chakme’s Aspiration for Birth in Sukhavati together. Thank you."

The prayer appears in Prayers for a Time of Pandemic compiled by His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa. It's available for free download on www.dharmaebooks.org.

Watch His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Talk about Care for Wildlife and the Natural Environment

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa and Ragni the elephant.

From April 18-24, 2020 His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje led livestreamed prayer sessions to pray for world peace and an end to the pandemic.

On April 19 he spoke about wildlife and the natural environment. Watch the April 19, 2020 video on the Karmapa YouTube channel.



A transcript was published on the official website kagyuoffice.org.

"Tashi delek to everyone. Today is the second day of our prayers for the pandemic to subside. The prayers we will recite today are the Noble Aspiration for Excellent Conduct and the Sutra in Three Sections. These teach the two main points of the bodhisattva path: gathering the accumulation of merit and purifying obscurations. So these two are crucial for bodhisattvas.

"This current pandemic has brought great changes we never imagined before. Already, in only a few months, there have been over two million confirmed cases, and more than a hundred and sixty thousand people have died.

"There have also been major changes in our way of life. We can no longer move freely. We are not able to meet the people we love. Losses to the economy and jobs are huge. We hardly dare to think about all the details. When we face such challenges, they can be a wake-up call that makes us examine ourselves much more deeply.

"This pandemic didn’t just fall out of the sky. The way it started and the way it spread are strongly connected to human actions. According to many sources, the origin of the virus was connected to wet markets. In any case, we humans have not cared about the freedom or life of animals, and the negative consequences of that now envelop us.

"The current bans on travel have actually been good for the natural environment. We are creating less impact on the environment, and the atmosphere is less polluted. Many animals have been seen coming into cities without fear.

"These are facts that we can’t ignore. We now have the experience of seeing how much violence and destruction we have caused the environment and wildlife.

"The point of gathering the accumulations and purifying the obscurations is to see what good qualities we have and what our weaknesses are, in order to increase our good qualities and decrease our weaknesses. But if our prostrations and confessions are just a ritual or for show, then we have missed the point.

"Now we will recite the Noble Aspiration for Excellent Conduct and the Sutra in Three Sections together."

The prayer appears in Prayers for a Time of Pandemic compiled by His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa. It's available for free download on www.dharmaebooks.org.

Kagyu Monlam Animal Camp, 32nd Kagyu Monlam, www.kagyuoffice.org.

Read about the Kagyu Monlam Animal Camp His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa instigated during the 31st Kagyu Monlam.

Read about NGO Wildlife SOS's campaign Refuse to Ride. "If you truly love elephants you'll never ride one."

Listen to Venerable Khenpo David Karma Choephel Teach During Covid-19

Venerable Khenpo David Karma Choephel, Twitter.

While reading about Thrangu Rinpoche and Thrangu Monastery Canada yesterday I happily discovered Venerable Khenpo David Karma Choephel is at Thrangu Monastery Canada. 

I came to know of him through attending the Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya and listening to his simultaneous English language translations of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje's teachings on my FM radio. When I hear his voice I think of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa.

Here are two photos from an April 24, 2020 Thrangu Monasery Canada Facebook post that says that the Thrangu Monastery Canada abbot and resident sangha participated in His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje's Covid-19 livestreamed prayer sessions last month.

Thrangu Monastery Canada, Thrangu Monasery Canada Facebook friends page.

Thrangu Monastery Canada, Thrangu Monastery Canada Facebook friend page.

Then I found that Venerable Khenpo David Karma Choephel will be teaching on YouTube from the monastery this month beginning on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

"Teachings on the World and Karma," Thrangu Monastery Canada Facebook.

"Foundations in Abhidharma: Teachings on the World and Karma"

Daily online teachings by Khenpo David Karma Choephel

Starting May 5, 2020

Daily except Mondays

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM PT

"Two of the most fascinating chapters of Vasubandhu's Treasury of Abhidharma and its Commentary Youthful Play are the chapters on the world and on karmic cause and effect. In this online class, Khenpo David Karma Choephel will go through these two chapters in detail according the commentary by the Ninth Karmapa Wangchuck Dorje."

The teachings will be given in English.

Subscribe to the Thrangu Monastery Canada YouTube channel and request a notification when the first teaching starts on Tuesday, May 5 at 1:30 PM PT.

"Selections from 'A String of Pearls," Thrangu Dharma Society Petaling Jaya Facebook.

"Selections from 'A String of Pearls: A Collection of Dharma Talks'" by Gampopa

Venerable Khenpo David Karma Choephel recently gave a two-day online teaching for Thrangu Dharma Society Petaling Jaya in Selangor, Malaysia. 

There is some information about this teaching topic on His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's website, and some additional information on the Gompa Tibetan Monastery Services website:

"A String of Pearls" is a collection of transcripts of talks on the essential meaning of Dharma, which Gampopa gave to his assembled students. These transcripts were carefully prepared and collected by Gampopa's nephew, Dakpo Tsultrim Nyingpo and each talk in the collection presents a concise and accessible teaching on a complete path of Dharma practice."

Venerable Khenpo David Karma Choephel's two-day teaching is available for viewing on the Thrangu Monastery Canada YouTube channel with the videos dated April 26 and 27, and the Thrangu Dharma Society Petaling Jaya Facebook page with the Facebook posts dated April 22 and 24.

Watch the first day of the teachings on the Thrangu Monastery Canada YouTube channel.

Venerable Khenpo David Karma Choephel

"Khenpo David Karma Choephel studied Buddhist philosophy at the Vajra Vidya Institute in Namo Buddha, Nepal, and Sarnath, India. He currently serves as Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche’s main English-language translator, and also translates for the Gyalwang Karmapa and the Kagyu Monlam.

"His published translations include Ngondro for Our Current Day by the Gyalwang Karmapa, Heart of the Dharma by Khenchen Trangu Rinpoche, Jewels from the Treasury, Vasubandhu’s Verses on the Treasury of Abhidharma, with commentary by the Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje, all published by KTD Publications; and Vivid Awareness: The Mind Instructions of Khenpo Gangshar by Thrangu Rinpoche, published by Shambhala Publications. 

"His most recent translation, The Torch of True Meaning: Instructions and the Practice Text for the Mahamudra Preliminaries by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye and the Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje, was taught by the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, A Collection of Commentaries on The Four-Session Guru Yoga, Compiled by the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, both published by KTD Publications."

Source: KTD Publications website.

Thrangu Rinpoche Gives Advice on How to Be of Benefit During Covid-19

Thrangu Rinpoche, www.thrangumy.com.

Watch the Very Venerable 9th Khenchen Thrangu Tulku, Karma Lodrö Lungrik Maway Senge's (Thrangu Rinpoche's) beautiful Covid-19 message published on April 1, 2020 on the Thrangu Media YouTube channel.

According to Thrangu Rinpoche's biography on Wikipedia, "Khenchen" denotes great scholarly accomplishment. He received his Geshe Lharamapa degree at age thirty-five followed by the Khenchen degree. He has been personal tutor to some of the most well-known Karma Kagyu lamas. His Holiness the Dalai Lama appointed Thrangu Rinpoche personal tutor to His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje.

Medicine Buddha Mantra

This is the spelling given in the above video:

TADYATHA OM BHAIKHAJYE BHAIKHAJYE MAHABHAIKHAJYE RAJA SAMUSGATE SVAHA

Thrangu Rinpoche said, "As you recite the mantra make aspirations and have vast bodhichitta so that you and all beings may be freed from suffering. In particular pray that they may be freed from the suffering of infectious disease. This will bring short-term and ultimate benefit to everyone. Please have such a motivation."

Medicine Buddha, Thrangu Monastery Canada Facebook.

Thrangu Rinpoche's seat in North America, Thrangu Monastery Canada, is in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada just south of Vancouver.

Thrangu Monastery Canada

Thrangu Rinpoche's chief representative for North America is Dungse Lama Pema. Lama Pema is the head resident lama of Thrangu Monastery Canada. He shared the below messages and photos on the Thrangu Monastery Canada's Facebook friends page.

March 23, 2020 Facebook post:

"Dear Thrangu family:

"Tashi Delek to everyone. Globally As we have been facing the difficult times with the Covid 19. Due to this we have lots of fear/anxiety and we isolate from the social lives. I hope you will cherish yourselves as well as with your family during this epidemic period when you are accompanying your family. In addition, Improving Four Foundations or preliminary Practices and Continue practice other methods as well. The Monastery is praying for the Three Treasures, Green Tara and Mahakala and so on. We will work together to practice the Dharma and make a vow to subdue the epidemic. We will meet soon!

Dungse Lama Pema"

Thrangu Monastery Canada sangha, Thrangu Monastery Canada Facebook personal page.

March 25, 2020 Facebook post:

"Dear Thrangu Family,

"During the outbreak of this virus everyone is sticking together with their family. I hope everyone treasure the present moment, take care of yourselves and your families. Those of you who are practising, carrying out virtuous deeds and persisting with the Four Foundation Prelimary Practices, please continue to do so. And those of you doing other Dharma practices, please carry on as well. The monastery is still performing prayers daily, supplicating the Three Jewels, continuing with Green Tara and Mahakala practices. Let us keep up our efforts in our Dharma practices, make aspirations and dedications to quickly dispel this pandemic. We shall meet again soon!

Dungse Lama Pema"

Dungse Lama Pema, Thrangu Monastery Canada Facebook friend page.

The best way to keep current on the monastery's activities is to follow the Thrangu Monastery Canada Facebook friends page and Thrangu Monastery Canada's YouTube channel.

Very Venerable 9th Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

"The Very Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche was born in Kham, Tibet, in 1933. At the age of five, he was formally recognized by His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa and Tai Situpa as the ninth incarnation of the great Thrangu tulku. In 1959, Thrangu Rinpoche was forced to flee to India. Due to his great scholarship and unending diligence, Rinpoche was given the task of preserving the teachings of the Kagyu lineage; the lineage of Marpa, Milarepa, and Gampopa. Rinpoche has now taught in over twenty-five countries and has seventeen centers in twelve countries. He is especially known for making complex teachings accessible to Western students. Furthermore, he was appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to be the personal tutor for His Holiness the 17th Karmapa."

Read more about Thrangu Rinpoche and his many charitable projects on the Namo Buddha Foundation Canada website.

Watch teachings Thrangu Rinpoche gave in the 1980's on the DHARMA jewels YouTube channel. Watch more teachings from Thrangu Rinpoche on the Gompa - Tibetan Monastery Services YouTube channel. More recent teachings are available on the Gompa Tibetan Monastery Services website.

Visit Thrangu Rinpoche's website for his schedule and more. Thrangu Dharma Society Petaling Jaya in Selangor, Malaysia is also a good source of information about Thrangu Rinopche as well.

Thrangu Monsatery Canada

Thrangu Rinpoche opened Thrangu Monastery Canada on July 25, 2010.

"Thrangu Monastery Canada, located in Richmond, British Columbia, is the first traditional Tibetan Monastery in the Pacific Northwest.

"It teaches in the Buddhist tradition that one needs to accumulate both merit and wisdom in order to generate the auspicious circumstances for realization. For many centuries, the vast knowledge of the Kagyu Lineage has been preserved and propagated in many monasteries throughout the world. The monasteries have served as a refuge for study and practice, undisturbed by worldly concerns. In this way, monasteries serve as a means to accumulate wisdom.

"Beginning in the 1970s, the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje and many other great masters have traveled and turned the Wheel of Dharma. Because of this, the Dharma has newly spread to and flourished in many countries, especially in North America. In 2003, the Thrangu Tulku Karma Lodrö Ringluk Maseng sent the Venerable Lama Pema Tsewang to Canada to establish a Dharma center promoting the Buddhist teachings."

Continue reading about Trangu Monastery Canada on the monastery's website.

Recite The Verses that Saved Sakya from Sickness with monastics at His Holiness the Karmapa's North American Monastic Seat During Covid-19

The 17 Karmapas, abqktc.org.

Every Thursday night in May 2020, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje's monastery in Woodstock, NY will be leading a recitation of the prayer he advised to stop the spread of Covid-19. All are welcome to join in via the livestream.

Karmapa's Monastic Seats
His Holiness the 1st Karmapa Chokyi Drakpa was born in Kham, Tibet in 1110 CE. He founded his first monastic seat (religious and administrative center) in Kham in 1164 and named it Kampo Nenang.

His Holiness the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje was born in Kham in 1924. He fled to India in 1959 during the Cultural Revolution, and established his monastic seat-in-exile in Sikkim, India, in 1966, naming it Rumtek Monastery. 

In 1976 he established his North American monastic seat in Woodstock, NY, naming it Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD). KTD is now the North American monastic seat of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje. Born in Kham in 1985, he escaped to India in 1999. He made his first trip to the West in 2008.

KTD's website explains, "The Karmapa’s main seats have ensured that not only his future disciples but also his future reincarnations have a lasting base to which they can turn to connect with the lineage generation after generation ... they ensure that the insight and wisdom cultivated by exceptional practitioners is not lost with their passing."

Thangthong Gyalpo, KTD prayer book.

The Verses that Saved Sakya from Sickness: A Prayer for Pacifying the Fear of Disease

His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje has advised reciting The Verses that Saved Sakya from Sickness: A Prayer for Pacifying the Fear of Disease by Thangthong Gyalpo to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

He led people all over the world in the recitation of the prayer on YouTube livestream from Europe on April 24, 2020.

During that teaching His Holiness the Karmapa explained about the prayer, saying, "Tangtong Gyalpo was a well-known 14th century Tibetan siddha. Once there was a large epidemic at the great Sakya monastery, and none of the medical treatments, offerings, or rituals they tried could help. When everyone was close to dying, they asked Tangtong Gyalpo for help. He wrote this prayer and the epidemic subsided, as the histories related."

Read the rest of the transcript on His Holiness the Karmapa's website.

KTD after Mahakala Puja, February 2020, KTD Facebook.

Karma Triyana Dharmachakra

The Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) community will be reciting the prayer and broadcasting it on YouTube livestream and the KTD Facebook page on Thursday, May 7 at 4:00 PM PT.


"Thursday Night Chenrezik (Chenrezig) Practice and Special Prayers to Calm Sickness, 7-8:30 PM Eastern Time.

"Join Khenpo Karma Tenkyong and the khenpos and lamas of KTD as they chant the Chenrezik (Chenresig) compassion practice along with The Prayer that Saved Sakya, a prayer from the 14th century that stopped an epidemic in old Tibet, and has been recommended to us by His Holiness Karmapa to recite now.

"This month, the Full Moon Chenrezik (Chenrezig) practice falls on Thursday, May 7.

"Every Thursday Night in May:
May 7 – Full Moon Chenrezik (Chenrezig) Practice
May 14, May 21, May 28"

Please note KTD is using the translation of The Prayer that Saved Sakya shared by Lotsawa House, which is different than the translation in His Holiness the Karmapa's Prayers for a Time of Pandemic prayer book.

The Chenreszik (Chenrezig) practice is also freely available on the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra website.

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje Responding to Covid-19

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, Karmapa's website.

This is a supplement to the two blog posts I've already published about His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje's activities related to Covid-19: advice to recite The Verses that Saved Sakya from Sickness: A Prayer for Pacifying the Fear of Disease, and the daily prayer livestreams taking place at 7 AM PT this week, April 18-24, 2020.

Responding to Covid-19

I recently read that on the occasion of Chinese New Year this year, His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa had related a rare message from his ongoing retreat. I was able to find a video of that message as well as the English transcript.

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa gave his address in Chinese. He was born in Tibet on June 26, 1985. He escaped Tibet in December 1999 at age fourteen, and mentioned his ability to speak Chinese while telling the story of his escape.

Chinese New Year Greeting

Watch the video published on the KC Himalaya YouTube channel from Malaysia:

Here is the English transcript, published on the KTD blog and lightly edited. Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) is His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's seat in North America and is located in Woodstock, NY.

"Hello, everyone!

"Today is the first day of the new year and the beginning of a new round of twelve years. First of all, I wish everyone a Happy New Year! Tashi Delek! The spring festival is supposed to be a festival for family reunions and friend gatherings, and to be full of joy and auspiciousness.

"However, this year we are facing a rather severe situation and challenge: that is the problem of the new type pneumonia. People are panicing in many places. Although I have been far away and in solitary retreat, due to the current special situation, my mind is very much concerned and thinking about your health and emotions. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity on the first day of the new year to say a few words in the hope of bringing you some encouragement, support, and help.

"Buddha has taught us repeatedly that human life is very precious and hard to obtain. Therefore, we are extremely fortunate. However, at the same time life is like a water bubble, very fragile and easy to burst. So we must cherish it and grasp it well. Moreover, most importantly we must apply this precious and short life to do meaningful things and not waste it. Therefore, when we are now in the situation of the epidemic still being spread, we should have a good understanding and think about the value and fragility of human life and sincerely feel the depth and warmth of life. In this way, we may cherish more of what we have now, no matter if it is our own life or that of our family and friends. To sincerely feel the nature of life which is impermanent, fleeting yet full of opportunities and hopes, of this kind of state.

"Apart from impermanence the concept of cause and effect can be said to be the foundation of Buddhism. For example, for the current epidemic situation, if we cannot find the cause of the disease or the exact route of transmission, it may be difficult for us to thoroughly prevent and cure it, and the situation will become very difficult to control. However, when the disease initially appeared we probably didn’t speculate about what would happen afterwards or about its possible severe consequences. In fact, we were very ignorant of what would be happening soon. Therefore, due to the previous move, the previous choice, now we feel and experience its consequences, which is the natural development of cause and effect. However, people nowadays usually care more about what is happening in front of their eyes, just giving it a simple thought with their heads.

"But what seems like a good choice or situation now may actually have huge problems and crises hidden in it. Therefore, in Buddhism, we say to think with “heart,” not only with “brain.” Rather, it is a state of being prepared through experience and feel. For example, a person grows up in a very cold place. When the global climate becomes warmer and the place where he lives becomes hotter, he feels it is a good thing and thinks that finally it is warm. However, the reality might be too dire to imagine and a sign of impending disaster. Therefore, there is a saying: Bodhisattvas fear the causes and ordinary beings fear the results. Before doing everything we should think about why we are doing it and think twice. This is very important.

"Although our current life seems to be getting further and further away from nature, in fact, at all times, we are closely related to nature. Nature has nurtured us and given us everything we need. We should also take care of, cherish and give back to nature. This is a cycle. Think carefully, nature is not only trees, mountains and rivers, flowers and plants, but also includes various animals. It can be said to be everything. As big as the universe and as small as a bug. Therefore, we should treat every tree, every small animal, even the mountains and rivers with honor, respect and love all the time. Because none of us, or anything, is outside of nature. Therefore, at anytime and anywhere we must have the awareness of nature and the environment. We should have a profound understanding that any way of treating animals or treating nature will have its corresponding consequences.

"Anyway, today we are faced with such a dangerous and severe situation, which we should face and solve it together, and don’t feel afraid or panic. Nowadays the communication is very convenient. We receive a lot of information, news and messages every day, which is easily distracting and makes people feel nervous and flustered. Therefore, at this time we must be clear-minded and remain calm. At a critical moment, a small decision can also be related to the security of life. However, I believe that with our joint efforts, we will be able to overcome the difficulties together, and the illness will be under control and resolved soon.

"This time I have published a new translation of “The Wish to Eliminate Disease and Disaster," called “Sakya Healing of Disease." The author of this prayer is a famous great accomplished master in Tibet in the 14th century, named Thangdong Gyalpo. In fact, this prayer is very popular in Tibet. Whenever there are plagues of various sizes, people will recite it. However, it is very rare in China so I hope this translation can be helpful and bring you some encouragement and courage. Of course, you can also chant some familiar practices such as the heart mantras of Akshobya Buddha, Chenrezig etc. In a word, I hope that not only can we encourage each other, but we should also have confidence in ourselves and cheer ourselves up. United as one, I believe we will be able to overcome the difficulties soon.

"Anyway, in the new year, I wish everyone healthy and happy, everything goes well and have an auspicious Rat year. Thank you all!"

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, Kagyu Monlam website.

Kagyu Monlam Address

In February, at the end of the 37th annual Kagyu Monlam (Great Prayer Festival) in Bodhgaya, India, he gave an address in Tibetan from his retreat place. This is an extract of his address where he gives advice for Covid-19:

"... Please pray that all degenerations in the world such as disease, famine, and war may be pacified. In particular, for over four months from last September until this January, terrible wildfires have raged in Australia, burning forests equal in size to South Korea and killing tens of millions of living creatures, it is reported. Similarly, a severe contagious disease has struck China, killing over six hundred people and leaving tens of thousands of patients in critical condition. This has brought great fear and difficulty for everyone around the entire world.

"The primary cause for this is harming wild animals, it is taught. Thus, according to our abilities, we should give up eating meat for one month, one year, or for the rest of our lives. Even if we find that we must eat domesticated animals, it is best not to eat the flesh of wild animals. It also goes without saying that no matter how large or small the harm we cause to another being’s life, it is the cause of sooner or later experiencing the same difficulties ourselves. In brief, I ask you please make dedications and aspirations so that your own benefit and others’ benefit is spontaneously and effortlessly accomplished according to the dharma."

(You can watch a beautiful video of his talk which was given in Tibetan, captioned in English, of his address on YouTube, again a video published by KC Himalaya.)

A friend recommends the recipe blog Veg Recipes of India. I have used and liked 101 Cookbooks.

"Cough and sneeze into your elbow," borrowed from Khoryug Covid-19 Fact Sheet (Tibetan).

Covid-19 Preparedness Guidelines for Monasteries, Nunneries, and Centers

Rangjung Khoryug Sungkyob Tsokpa (Khoryug) was founded by His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa in 2009. It is a network of more than fifty Buddhist monasteries, nunneries, and centers throughout India, Nepal, Bhutan, in the Himalayas, and South India working together on environmental protection in partnership with community organizations and NGOs.

You may have heard of the organization previously because Khoryug has produced the publications "Environmental Guidelines for Karma Kagyu Monasteries and Nunneries," "108 Things You Can Do the Save the Earth," and "Disaster Management Guidelines for Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries, Nunneries and Communities."

On March 27 they published "Covid-19 Preparedness Guidelines for Monasteries, Nunneries, and Centers" along with this message:

"Due to the outbreak of the deadly Corona Virus aka Covid-19 around the world, we urge everyone, especially the Sangha members of Khoryug, to be extra careful and mindful of this new pandemic. Khoryug has prepared a small booklet and a poster (both in Tibetan and English) on Covid-19 preparedness guidelines for monasteries, nunneries and centers that we request you read and follow.

"It is important that you take care of yourself and your loved ones by following the instructions given by your government.

– Wash your hands with soap, often and for at least 20 seconds.
– Stay at home as much as possible.
– Keep a 2 meter/ 6 feet distance from others whenever possible.
– Monitor your emotional wellbeing as well as your physical wellbeing.
– Practice meditation and yoga and have faith in your dharma gurus and protectors."

Khoryug April 2, 2020 Facebook post.

See stories and photos from the Khoryug communities on the Khoryug Facebook page.

Khoryug is an initiative of Kun Kyong Charitable Trust, an NGO established in 2013 whose chief patron is His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa.

His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, KTD website.

Donations Made to Stop Covid-19

Per the wishes of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, three organizations he is connected with have donated a collective total of $36,000 to the Indian government to fight Covid-19.

These organizations include Tsurphu Labrang (the Office of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa), Kun Kyong Charitable Trust, and the Kagyupa International Monlam Trust (Kagyu Monlam.) 

The money was donated to the Indian Prime Minister's "PM CARES Fund" and the State Governments of Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Bihar.

Kagyu Monlam has also been coordinating with the Gaya District, Bihar State authorities in Gaya to support needy people in the districts of Bihar.

Tsurphu Labrang issued a press release that read, “His Holiness (the Karmapa) is very concerned about the outbreak of this deadly COVID-19 in India and around the globe, and appreciates the timely and untiring efforts made by the Government of India led by Honourable Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and the State Govts in containing this deadly disease.”