This year marked the 44th Parinirvāṇa Anniversary of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. We felt deeply honored to gather as a community—onsite and online—to practice together and draw inspiration from His Holiness’ life and teachings.
From our 2nd Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat (November 1-2) through the traditional pujas and prayers on November 5th, to the Amitabha practice on November 6th, these days offered us the opportunity to reconnect with the heart of the Karmapa lineage through practice.
The Gift of the Teachings
During the Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat, we received precious guidance from His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche, and Acharya Jampa.
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa reminded us of Rangjung Rigpe Dorje’s vast kindness—how through his enlightened activities, he supported the flourishing of the teachings across all traditions without distinction. His Holiness shared stories about the 16th Karmapa, helping us recognize his qualities and activities, so that devotion—the heart of guru yoga practice—can naturally arise.
The teachers emphasized that the Karma Kagyu, founded by the 1st Karmapa, Düsum Kyenpa, is the practice lineage. Practice is not only something we do on the cushion,we put it into action in everyday life. By doing so, we embody the enlightened activity of the Karmapa.
In the coming months, we hope to share reflections on the practice of Guru Yoga as taught during the retreat, offering support for your ongoing practice. You are warmly invited to join us for our monthly Guru Yoga practice on the first Saturday of every month.
On November 5th
At Karmapa Center 16 in Zion, Illinois—near where His Holiness passed into parinirvāṇa, a sacred place filled with his blessings—we practiced traditional Tibetan pujas and prayers.
Simultaneously, our sangha friends gathered at Namkha Ösal in Taichung, Taiwan, to practice Guru Yoga and make offerings together with our president, Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche.
On November 6th
We concluded with Amitabha practice using the Namchö Dewachen sādhana, dedicating our practice to the aspiration for rebirth in the pure realm of Sukhāvatī and honoring loved ones, both those who have passed and those still with us.
Continue Practicing
The path illuminated by the 16th Karmapa continues through our practice. We warmly invite you to join us throughout the year:
Whether you’re near or far, your practice enlivens the heart of this lineage.
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The Parinirvāṇa Stūpa Project
The sacred work of building His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s Parinirvāṇa Stūpa is moving forward, creating a place for pilgrimage, meditation, retreat, study, and refuge. This project advances through practice and the kind support of people like you.
All contributions, large or small, help bring this aspiration to fruition: Support the Stūpa Project
With Gratitude
These days of practice were made possible through the dedication of many—teachers, translators, volunteers, and all who joined in practice. Thank you for being part of this community.
May all our practice in remembrance of Rangjung Rigpe Dorje’s compassion and enlightened activities benefit all beings.
In 1980, the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, embarked upon three international teaching tours throughout North America, Europe, and East Asia, where he spent 10 days in Hong Kong.
At that time, Tibetan Buddhism was unfamiliar to most people, yet wherever the Karmapa went, extraordinary auspicious connections and spiritual exchanges naturally arose.
The following excerpt recounts a story from the 16th Karmapa’s teachings in Hong Kong, which once again demonstrates the power of his blessings and his profound kindness.
The Story of a Loyal Dog
As the Karmapa was about to leave Hong Kong’s Myoho Temple, a small dog suddenly began wailing inconsolably, even shedding real tears. The dog had first appeared at the monastery that very morning, upon the Karmapa’s arrival. From that moment on, it followed His Holiness everywhere, even waiting faithfully outside the temple during the luncheon. The dog demonstrated such devotion that the monastery monks assumed it was one of the Karmapa’s own dogs.
After the Karmapa departed, the dog continued to visit the temple, often placing its paws together in prayer before the abbot’s seat. Ultimately, the abbot permitted it to stay, and it lived out its days peacefully within the monastery—one of many beings whose fate was altered by the Karmapa’s brief stay.
Mahayana and Vajrayana: Journeying Together, Hand in Hand
When the 16th Karmapa first visited Hong Kong in 1980, Tibetan (Vajrayana) Buddhism was still novel and unfamiliar to the local community. Yet, an extraordinary connection immediately formed between His Holiness and the late Venerable Master Chokguang, then Chairman of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, and who is still deeply revered today.
Master Chokgu described the moment when the Karmapa took his hand and announced he would confer an empowerment at the opening ceremony of Master Chokgu’s new center in a few days as “truly unbelievable.” The ceremony had been planned for months, and the Karmapa happened to be in Hong Kong for the center’s opening day. The empowerment was thus arranged on short notice to take place after the luncheon that day.
Despite no prior publicity, thousands flocked to the venue seeking the “Red Avalokiteshvara Empowerment” from the 16th Karmapa, prompting Hong Kong police to maintain order.
Thus began the Mahayana and Vajrayana journey for many lucky people.
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This practice-intensive is preceded by a traditional lung transmission offered by Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche, followed by an opening teaching from Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.
Karmapa Center 16 is delighted to share that our friends at Nalandabodhi will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of their annual Tara Drupchen, a special practice-intensive gathering, taking place September 18–21, 2025, both onsite at Nalanda West in Seattle and online. This year’s Drupchen is particularly historic, as it is the first time in the West that practitioners will engage in The Ritual of the Five-Deity Tara and Tara Mandala—a compilation offered by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.
The Tara Drupchen is guided by Nalandabodhi’s founder and Karmapa Center 16’s Advisor, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, together with Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche, President of Karmapa Center 16, who will also play a significant role in this year’s event.
Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche will offer the Tibetan lung (reading transmission) for The Ritual of the Five-Deity Tara and Tara Mandala, ensuring practitioners receive the blessings of the lineage and are fully connected to this profound practice.
Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche will offer an opening teaching, illuminating Tara’s liberating activity and the compassionate essence of this practice for our times.
Acharya Lhakpa Tshering will help with the preparations and also join this practice-intensive retreat at Nalanda West.
The Drupchen also features the liturgy The Heart of the Two Accumulations: A Mandala Ritual from the Mind-Terma, Profound Drop of Tara, continuing the tradition of practice that has sustained many through these ten years. Participants will be able to join onsite, with their local sanghas, or online, ensuring the blessings reach far.
This 10th anniversary not only celebrates a decade of community practice but also deepens our connection with the activity of Tara, whose swift compassion has always been supported by the Kagyü lineage and the blessings of the Karmapas. From the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, who upheld the living heart of the lineage, to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, who has carefully prepared this Tara ritual, the continuity of blessings is evident in this historic occasion.
For more details, registration, and prayer request forms, please visit Nalandabodhi’s website.
May the merit of this anniversary Tara Drupchen bring peace, healing, and the swift removal of obstacles for all beings.
Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā
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You are warmly invited to join for a special teaching by Acharya Lhakpa Tshering, Karmapa Center 16’s resident teacher, on the profound practice of Amitabha, ahead of the 44th Parinirvāṇa Anniversary of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. Amitabha practice is especially relevant for our time:
We have the opportunity to act for the benefit of ourselves and others, making our human life meaningful and fruitful.
Amitabha teaches that genuine aspiration toward Sukhāvatī, combined with focused mind and positive deeds, creates the path for rebirth there. One way of thinking about this is simply as the next moment—supporting both our own well-being and that of the global community day by day.
To open this path, we need to sincerely aspire to be born in Dewachen, cultivate virtuous actions, and dedicate the merit of these actions for the benefit of all beings.
We feel honored that Acharya Lhakpa Tshering kindly accepted our invitation to teach on the practice of Amitabha, and hope you will join us on October 26, from 10:30 to 11:30 am Central Time (Chicago, USA). This will replace our usual Sunday Meditation for All session.
Registration is free. You are welcome to offer a teaching gift or donation in support of the Stupa Project.
Commemorating the Parinirvana Anniversary
This special teaching is offered as part of this year’s 44th Parinirvāṇa Anniversary of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. For the first time, we will practice the Namchö Dewachen sādhana—“The Recitation Manual for the Sādhana of Sukhāvatī from the Profound Cycle of the Whispered Lineage of the Heart-Treasure of the Namchö.”
Through our collective aspiration, offerings, and chanting, we commemorate the Parinirvana by actively supporting our own practice, dedicating merit for loved ones who have passed, and extending benefit to the wider world.
We warmly invite you to join us in this year’s Parinirvāṇa Anniversary practices online (via Zoom) or onsite at KC16, on November 5 and 6.
16th Gyalwang Karmapa’s Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat
In honor of the 44th Parinirvāṇa Anniversary we will also host our second 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat on November 1 and 2. This will be held online and onsite in Hong Kong with special teachings by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, His Eminence the 12th Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche.
We hope you will be joining us to learn more about the inspiring life and teachings of the 16th Karmapa and instructions on elegantly concise and profound Guru Yoga Sadhana, “Rainfall of Nectar,” composed by the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. Please note that this is a separate registration.
We hope you will be joining us for our various activities on the occasion of the 44th Parinirvāṇa Anniversary of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, including this special teaching on Amitabha Practice.
May we all be inspired by life and teachings of His Holiness and bring the same compassion and enlightened activities into our lives for the benefit of the world.
Karmapa Center 16 commemorates His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s parinirvāṇa every year on November 5, the day of his passing at AIC, now called City of Hope Cancer Treatment Center, in Zion, Illinois. In addition to this full day of traditional pujas and practices in Tibetan, we will hold our second 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat on the weekend of November 1 and 2, and practice Amitabha on November 6.
On November 6, as part of this year’s 44th Parinirvāṇa Anniversary of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, we will practice the Namchö Dewachen sādhana—“The Recitation Manual for the Sādhana of Sukhāvatī from the Profound Cycle of the Whispered Lineage of the Heart-Treasure of the Namchö.” This Amitabha practice is especially relevant for our time because:
We have the opportunity to act for the benefit of ourselves and others, making our human life meaningful and fruitful.
Amitabha teaches that genuine aspiration toward Sukhāvatī or Dewachen, combined with focused mind and positive deeds, creates the path for rebirth there. One way of thinking about rebirth is simply as the next moment—supporting both our own well-being and that of the global community day by day.
To open this path, we need to sincerely aspire to be born in Dewachen or Sukhāvatī, cultivate virtuous actions, and dedicate the merit of these actions for the benefit of all beings.
Making Offerings Part of this practice includes making offerings and dedicating our practice for loved ones who have recently passed. The prayers and recitations will be chanted in Tibetan. The names of deceased loved ones will be screenshared.
You are warmly invited to join this practice onsite or online–participating through meditation and reciting Amitabha’s mantra–by registering for our 44th Parinirvana Anniversary. You can make a dedicated Amitabha offering during registration by selecting “In honor/memory of.”
16th Gyalwang Karmapa Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat 2025
In honor of the 44th Parinirvāṇa Anniversary, we will also host our second 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat on November 1 and 2. This will be held online and onsite in Hong Kong with special teachings by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, His Eminence the 12th Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche.
We hope you will join us to learn more about the inspiring life and teachings of the 16th Karmapa and to receive instructions on elegantly concise and profound Guru Yoga Sadhana, “Rainfall of Nectar,” composed by the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.
Teachings will be in Tibetan or English with translation into Mandarin, Cantonese, and English (when teachings are in Tibetan). Practice sessions will be in Chinese.
Recordings will be made available on November 12 to all registrants. You will receive information on how to access the recordings via email.
A Zoom link and more practical information for joining live (online or onsite) will be shared after registration.
Please note that the registration for this Guru Yoga Teaching and our Parinirvāṇa Anniversary on November 5 and 6 are separate.
We hope you will join us for our various activities on the occasion of the 44th Parinirvāṇa Anniversary of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. May we all be inspired by life and teachings of His Holiness and bring the same compassion and enlightened activities into our lives for the benefit of the world.
SCHEDULE
44th Parinirvāṇa Anniversary at Karmapa Center 16 and online
All times are shown in the local time zone, Central Standard Time (Chicago). Please note: Daylight Saving Time ends on November 2, 2025.
*Schedule for KC16 pujas onsite in Wadsworth, IL, USA on November 5, 2025 Click here to see the start time in your local time zone.
Registration
Please register for our 44th Parinirvāṇa Anniversary on November 5 and Amitabha practice on November 6 below. After making an offering (of any amount), a resource page with Zoom links and participation information will be automatically emailed to you. If you don’t see it, please check your spam folder.
Thank you for being part of this year’s Parinirvāṇa Anniversary. We look forward to practicing with you.
During the month of July, over 108 practitioners from around the world joined together for Karmapa Center 16’s first shared walk or “kora” (circumambulation) practice at the Boudha Stūpa (Jarung Kashor) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Preparing for Our Walks
Before our practice began, Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche kindly shared some personal reflections on pilgrimage. Through the generosity of several organizations, we prepared a small bag with practical items to support participants on their walks around the Stūpa. Each bag also included a calligraphy card by the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, as well as caring instructions for kora practice from Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.
The Experience of Walking Around the BoudhaStūpa
Some participants began their walks in the quiet hours before dawn, while others came during the day or evening, joining the continuous stream of devoted Dharma practitioners walking around the Stūpa. In just a few days—or slowly, over the span of several weeks—everyone completed at least 108 circumambulations around this sacred place.
The practice was deeply felt by everyone. One participant shared the following heartfelt words:
“Since I could feel this practice was for the benefit of all living beings, Every step became charged with mindfulness. While we are circumambulating the Stūpa in this way, I felt our aspirations could reverse the wheel of karma. Slowly removing all obstacles, Alleviating disasters, Big things become small, Small things become nothing. So, when feeling tired I encouraged myself to continue. Circumambulating as much as I could. Since the more I walk, The more sentient beings could benefit.”
Many described feeling the gaze of the Buddha above them, and spoke about the inspiration and support they found through this shared practice. The experience of walking kora held an extra layer of significance for many, as this period also coincided with the Parinirvana Anniversary of Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche—a direct student of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa and a great Kagyü master. This alignment further deepened our practice and strengthened our resolve to walk in their footsteps, inspired by their lives and teachings.
It was heartwarming to hear their stories and how they felt joining the kora practice during this time was a real support on their spiritual path and encouragement to continue practicing the Dharma after returning home.
16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga and Tshok Offering
During this month of July, On July 6, 2025, Karmapa Center 16 organized its first Guru Yoga practice and Tshok offering at the sacred Boudha Stupa (Jarung Kashor) in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the kind support of our friends at Dilyak Monastery—located near the Stupa and the residence of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa during his pilgrimages and teachings in Nepal.
A large tent was set up with a thangka of His Holiness at the center of a beautiful mandala. Under the gaze of the Buddha’s eyes from the Stupa, everyone—onsite and online—came together to practice the 16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga, Rainfall of Nectar, with heartfelt devotion. We chanted the mantra together, invoking the blessings of the guru for our path and awaken the enlightened qualities from within—Karmapa Khyenno!
Soon after completing the practice and tshok offering, a heavy rain began to fall, as if blessing the gathering.
Walking the Path of Freedom for the Benefit of All
We extend our deep gratitude to all who participated and all who supported our kora and guru yoga practice in countless ways. The funds raised, and the merit generated through our collective effort, will help advance our ongoing Stūpa Project, and we hope it may inspire many more to walk the path of freedom, for the benefit of all.
Karmapa Khyenno!
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From April 11 till April 19, special pujas (meditation practice with melodic chants and instruments) will be held at Karmapa Center 16 in preparation for the onsite groundwork that will begin later this spring. This is a significant step forward in our three-phased project and will literally create the foundations for the Parinirvāṇa Stupa Temple, a residence for His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, and two retreat houses.
The pujas are intended to remove any obstacles, create the most auspicious conditions for the engineers, all workers, and volunteers to start our work together, and to promote environmental harmony. You are warmly invited to join our practices onsite or online, and make offerings in support of the lamas, practices, and the second phase of our Stupa Project. A link will be sent after an offering of any amount.
Schedule
Friday April 11 to Thursday, April 17
time (Central Time, UTC-6)
puja
9:00–10:00 AM
ཟབ་ཏིག་སྒྲོལ་མ། Green Tara
10:30–12:00 PM
མགོན་པོའི་བསྐང་གསོལ། Mahakala Practice 1
2:00–3:30 PM
མགོན་པོའི་བསྐང་གསོལ། Mahakala Practice 2
4:00 – 5:30 PM
མགོན་པོའི་བསྐང་གསོལ། Mahakala Practice 3
Schedule for KC16 pujas onsite in Wadsworth, IL, USA from April 11 to April 17, 2025 Click here to see the start time in your local time zone.
Saturday, April 19th, 2025
time (US Central Time, UTC-6)
puja
10:00–12:00 PM
ལོ་ནག་བཅོས་བུམ། Vase Ceremony
Schedule for KC16 ceremony onsite in Wadsworth, IL, USA on April 19, 2025 Click here to see the start time in your local time zone.
Be Inspired by the Lineage of the Karmapas
We feel very fortunate to take this next step as part of creating a place for pilgrimage, study, and practice of the Dharma, the Kagyü, and especially the lineage of the Karmapas. In particular, to commemorate and be inspired by the life and teachings of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. May all be auspicious!
To find happiness and support on the path to full awakening for the benefit of the world, we need to rely on spiritual friends. The practice of guru yoga is, therefore, a profound method to connect with the heart of our teacher and lineage of dharma masters, to receive blessings and help us move away from negative qualities, and cultivate positive qualities in terms of body, speech, and mind.
Rainfall of Nectar
The Guru Yoga Sadhana, “Rainfall of Nectar,” composed by the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, is elegantly concise and contains the essential pith instructions of the Vajrayana tradition.
Every First Saturday of the Month
Every first Saturday of the month, we will offer an opportunity to practice His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga together. Regardless of whether you are familiar with the practice and who you consider to be your personal teacher, this practice allows us to connect with the enlightened qualities of the Buddha and, in a way, truly become the activity of the Karmapa, embodying the Buddha’s wisdom and compassion.
What: 16th Gyalwang Karmapa’s Guru Yoga Sadhana
When: First Saturday of the Month, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM Central Time (Chicago, USA)
Where: Online on Zoom and Onsite at KC16. (Liturgies will be screenshared)
Registration, Offerings & Donations
Making an offering or donation is optional and is not required to register for our monthly 16th Gyalwang Karmapa’s Guru Yoga Practice. You can join for free by selecting a ‘free ticket’. If you would like to make a donation to support the stupa project or make an offering to our teachers and resident monastics, please choose an option below.
Fulfilling Our Aspirations
After selecting a ‘free ticket’ or making an offering below, the Zoom link and other practical information will be delivered in a confirmation email.
We warmly invite you to join us and together fulfill all aspirations for ourselves and others through our devotion and virtuous activities.
Last year (2024) marked the 43rd Parinirvāṇa Anniversary of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. Preceding our annual pujas and prayers on November 5th, the day of His Holiness’ passing, we hosted our first extensive 16th Karmapa Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat onsite in Taiwan and online from November 1 to 3. We felt humbled and honored by the hundreds of people who joined us from around the world, and especially for His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, who gave a special teaching during this retreat. Below is a summary of the teachings and practices, and how to make guru yoga a lifelong remembrance of the inspiring life and enlightened presence of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa.
Day 1: Guru Yoga and Lung of the Rainfall of Nectar
Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche opened our 16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat by briefly explaining the meaning and practice of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga, “Rainfall of Nectar,” and the Karmapa’s personal connection with this practice. Rinpoche noted that this was one of the very first Dharma teachings he received, as a small child, from His Holiness.
Later, the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, instructed Rinpoche to offer reading transmissions or lungs of “Rainfall of Nectar” as one of his responsibilities. After Rinpoche received the lung from His Eminence the 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche, he then supplicated Gyaltsab Rinpoche to explain how to do the practice and to compose a commentary. Drupon Rinpoche’s teachings on the first evening of our Guru Yoga Teachings were based on His Eminence’s instructions and commentary.
One of the aspects Rinpoche pointed out is how the guru is equal to the Buddhas in terms of excellent qualities. Yet, the guru excels the Buddha in terms of kindness as he/she can directly guide someone to move away from negative qualities and cultivate positive qualities in terms of body, speech, and mind.
Sharing the qualities and activities of the 16th Karmapa, Rinpoche added that His Holiness was able to liberate the mindstream of others with his enlightened speech. Rinpoche shared various stories to illustrate this. He also pointed out how His Holiness’ great love and compassion for animals was made evident by his actions.
In addition to his teachings, explanation of the practice, and reading transmission/lung of the 16th Karmapa’s “Rainfall of Nectar” Guru Yoga practice, Rinpoche said that he doesn’t have the prajna of hearing, the experience of meditation, or the power of giving blessings himself, but through what was offered during the Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat, the compassion and blessings of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa would be transferred to all present. Along these lines, we concluded the evening with the following prayer: “May everyone attain the state of the enlightened body, speech, and mind of the guru.”
Day 2: Devotion and special teaching by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa
On the second day of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat, we started practicing HH16K’s “Rainfall of Nectar,” under the guidance of Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche.
Later that morning, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche gave his first retreat teaching. He shared that “we are very fortunate to have this opportunity to be together and remember such an enlightened master [the 16th Karmapa], and having this opportunity to connect with the heart of the Karmapa lineage through the heart of the guru.” He taught that practicing is the key emphasis of this lineage and, therefore, this lineage is called the practice lineage. He also shared how His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, in countless ways, was the very embodiment of this lineage, which he passed on to others, and how his presence showed the meaning of being a genuine guru, the Buddha in person.
In the afternoon, following another Guru Yoga Practice Session, Acharya Jampa offered more instructions about how we find a guru and, once we do, that our practice is not only something we do on the cushion. We have to put it into action in everyday life and, like the great masters, benefit all sentient beings. By doing so, we can be the enlightened activity of the Karmapa. This is, Acharya Jampa-la said, what His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, always encourages us to be.
In the evening, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa kindly offered a special teaching. He pointed out that the main point of guru yoga is devotion. Since having devotion towards someone you have never seen or met is not that easy, His Holiness said it would be good to hear stories about the 16th Karmapa from those who were familiar with him. This way we can know his activities and qualities. So, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa passed on some of the stories as told by people close to the 16th Karmapa, along with his personal feelings, which concluded our second day.
Day 3: Genuine Practice
Both Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche expressed how fortunate and blessed they felt by receiving teachings and hearing stories about the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, from His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. Both Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche then generously shared some of their own experiences and offered further instructions on how to practice dharma and deepen our inner experience in general, and how to rely on a genuine guru with a heart of devotion in particular.
Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche pointed out how illness can deepen our experience and understanding of the teachings, like the nine ways of the genuine ones, and the importance of putting them into practice. He also kindly offered some time for questions.
Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche taught about the five things we need to know regarding guru yoga practice based on the oral lineage of Patrul Rinpoche and his disciples. He emphasized that “the method of relying on the guru is devotion, not protocol.” It is a matter of the heart, he said, not our heads. Through our hearts, we can see the excellent qualities of the guru, have the realization of wisdom arise in our mind-stream, and do everything we can to benefit sentient beings. This concluded our 16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat for 2024.
November 5: 43rd Parinirvāṇa Anniversary
The following Tuesday, on November 5th, we commemorated the 43rd anniversary of the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa’s parinirvāṇa with our annual pujas and prayers.
We recited the supplication to the Dagpo Kagyü, practiced His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga, sang songs, did Mahakala practice, and made offerings and dedications at Nalandabodhi Taichung’s dharma center, Namkha Ösal. Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche presided over the activities..
Towards the end, Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche shared a little bit about the history behind Karmapa Center 16. He pointed out that the place of the passing of a great master, in this case His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, is traditionally considered a sacred area, full of blessings. Therefore, building his Holiness’s Parinirvāṇa Stūpa and the entire Stūpa Project is a way to honor the great dharma king, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. It also offers a place for pilgrimage, study, and practice of the dharma in general, the Kagyü in particular, and especially the lineage of the Karmapas.
Under the guidance of our resident teacher, Acharya Lhakpa Tshering, and kindly joined by Lama Tashi Gawa plus many dharma friends onsite and online, our annual parinirvāṇa pujas and guru yoga practices were also held (in Tibetan) at Karmapa Center 16. A beautiful mandala was created with a special statue of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa for the day’s practice. Acharya expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped make this offering possible.
With these practices, we fully concluded the 43rd Parinirvāṇa Anniversary of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.
Words of Gratitude
Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche noted at the conclusion of our Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat and completion of our pujas on Tuesday, November 5th, that we were very fortunate to be able to have this year’s extensive commemoration onsite in Taiwan and online, with teachings on His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga from His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.
All of this was only possible thanks to everyone at Karmapa Center 16 in the United States, members of KC16’s team in Taiwan, all benefactors and sponsors, and all volunteers. While many of the volunteers never met His Holiness the 16th Karmapa in person, everyone helped so much through their appreciation of His Holiness’ kindness and enlightened activities.
It is with deep gratitude that we were able to gather and practice together onsite and online, with the presence of the sacred relics of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa.
In the words of Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche: “I want to thank His Holiness the 17th Karmapa for his great compassion, giving us the lung (reading transmission) of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga, and teaching us about Rangjung Rigpe Dorje’s life and enlightened qualities. I want to thank Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche for his teachings on Guru Yoga and personal advice. Finally, I want to thank all coming from far and wide for this year’s significant anniversary of the 16th Karmapa. Thank you.”
We feel extremely grateful and blessed for the precious words by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, and wish for His Holiness to live long and continue to benefit all sentient beings.
May all of our activities to remember and honor the compassion and enlightened activities of the 16th Karmapa, along with putting the teachings of the Dharma and the lineage of the Karmapas into action, be for the benefit of everyone in this world.
Karmapa Khyenno!
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Next year: 44th parinirvāṇa anniversary
Together with our annual pujas and prayers on November 5th, 2025, we will commemorate His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, with another guru yoga weekend retreat from October 31st till November 2nd, onsite in Hong Kong and online. Please save the date and join us again to make guru yoga a lifelong remembrance of the inspiring life and enlightened presence of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa.
Karmapa Center 16 commemorates His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s parinirvāṇa every year on November 5th, the day of his passing at the clinic which is now called City of Hope Cancer Treatment Center, in Zion, Illinois. Under the guidance of our resident teacher, Acharya Lhakpa Tshering, and Lama Tashi Gawa, we will be hosting a full day of pujas and practice in Tibetan. Please register below to receive the Zoom link. If you’d like to join onsite, please make sure you indicate this on the registration form.
We are also deeply honored that our friends in Taiwan will be hosting a 16th Karmapa Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat with a special teaching by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, as well as practices and teachings by our advisor, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and our president, Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche, from November 1 to 3, and November 5. You can join online (via Zoom) or onsite. Teachings will be in English or Tibetan with translation into English and Chinese. Recordings will be made available to all registrants.
In addition to the teachings, this special retreat includes a traditional lung (oral transmission) of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s Guru Yoga Sadhana (from Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche), and practicing this Guru Yoga together in the presence of sacred relics of His Holiness.
Please find a tentative schedule below. Registration includes access to both the Guru Yoga Teaching Retreat and the Parinirvana commemoration. When you register, we will share the Zoom links, how to access recordings, and other practical information. For more information and registration in Chinese, please visit KC16 Taiwan’s Facebook Page.
May we always honor the radiant compassion and enlightened activities of His Holiness.
After making an offering (of any amount) below, a resource page with Zoom links and participation information for the Taiwan and KC16 Wadsworth events will be automatically emailed.
Please see the detailed schedule of pujas prior to the 43rd Parinirvāṇa Anniversary program. The Zoom link will be delivered in a confirmation email. Thank you for being part of this year’s Parinirvāṇa Activities and kind support.
