June 26 - July 4, 2007: H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa Visits Dhagpo Kundreul Ling, France
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Photos: Thule G. Jug
On June 26th, 2007 His Holiness arrived in Auvergne, France. His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje would spend the next 7 days in Le Bost visiting the monastic and lay community which surrounds Dhagpo Kundreul Ling. After such a hectic tour beginning in May, His Holiness had a more relaxed program here at Dhagpo Kundreul Ling, allowing time for some much needed rest before continuing on his three month long European tour.
On the evening of the 27th, over 400 people had gathered for the official welcoming ceremony for His Holiness. After a trumpeted entry into the main hall of the temple, His Holiness Prostrated three times to the Buddha before making his way to the throne, positioned at the center of the main hall with the male and female monastic community on either side. With heads bowed and hands clasped, the crowd gently began to make obeisance to His Holiness. Praying in unison, the lay and monastic gathering offered recitations of many prayers as well as the traditional offerings connected with body, speech, mind, quality and activity.
For the following few days, His Holiness would spend his time meeting with the monastic sangha and the retreatants in the various retreat centers around Le Bost. There are several retreat places included in the activities of Dhagpo Kundreul Ling, which range from short one month retreats, the traditional three years retreat and retreat places that are for practitioners who have chosen to stay in strict meditation retreat for the remainder of their lives.
There is also an art school nearby in Laussedat which focuses on preserving and training in the arts of Tangkha painting, frescos for temples, metal work and many other handy crafts associated with the aesthetics and rituals of Himalayan Buddhism. His Holiness made a visit to this art school on the 29th to see the progress that has been mad since his last visit in 2005.
On the 1st of July, His Holiness gave the “jenang”, or Blessing Empowerment, of Dorje Sempa to a crowd of over 600 people. Jigme Rinpoche, who has been living in France at the request of the 16th Karmapa for many decades, was in attendance for both the Empowerment and the last day’s ceremony before His Holiness’ departure.
Report: Derek Hanger
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