Historic First Visit to the U.S.




This May and June 2008, His Holiness the Karmapa will visit the West for the first time. People from North America and beyond will travel to three U.S. cities to meet one of the greatest spiritual masters of our era.





His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is head of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Although just 22 years old, the Karmapa is seen as the embodiment of wisdom and compassion and is regarded by many followers as a ‘living Buddha.



’

People are drawn to the Karmapa’s public appearances and teachings because of his profound spiritual and meditative mastery and his transformational and enlightening effect on almost everyone who comes into his presence. The Karmapa brings a very positive and hopeful spiritual message for these turbulent times.





Many have been anticipating the visit of His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa to America for nearly two decades. During the 1970s and 80s, the tours of His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa were historic occasions for the Western Buddhist community. We anticipate that the first visit of His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa will also also prove to be a momentous event.





Schedule Information and Inquiries
If you have questions about His Holiness Karmapa's visit schedule, please view the Events pages on this site. For other inquiries, see the Contact Us page for the email address of the planning committee in the city nearest you, or call the number below.

......

BC, Nice.  Good to know that he would be coming here...For most Nepalese followers of Tibetan Buddhism, he holds more influence than the Dalai Lama.  And to have him here is indeed something BIG!  Except for the fact that another Karmapa exists (due to political reasons mainly), I for one would be attending for sure if he comes to the city I'm at.

Ever heard about the circumstances of his death?  A monk friend of mine told me a few weeks ago that when the 15th Karmapa was taken into Chicago Hospital (he had cancer I think), weeks before he died, forecasting his demise, he sat in a lotus position and meditated.  The meditation went on for days and he himself passed into his next life in that position (a lot of other gurus of Tibetan Buddhism have been known to pass into their next life in the lotus position).  The doctor who was incharge of the Karmapa then, converted into Tibetan Buddhism after witnessing the will-power and death accepting attitude of the Karmapa.  I can't recall his name, but that cat has been to Rumtek, Sikkim (the biggest Karmapa monastery there is) many a times I'm told.

For Information Call (206) 219-0147

http://www.karmapavisit.org/index.php?home