NEWS

According to the Tsurphu calendar, the 14th day of the first month was observed as the day of the parinirvana of Jetsün Milarepa and the 15th was the parinirvana of Marpa Lotsawa. On these two days, the Karmapa Center 16 performed Guru Yogas for both linage forefathers.

According to the Tsurphu calendar, January 31st marked the 29th day of the 12th month of the year. On this special occasion, the Karmapa Center 16 completed the Mahakala puja, performed to dissipate all obstacles before the start of a new year. The lamas also recited aspirations prayers for the long life of the Karmapa,Continue reading “Annual prayers for the end of the lunar year”

On the 4oth anniversary of the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje’s parinirvana, the Karmapa Center 16 held a five-day commemoration joined by Tibetan Buddhist masters with a special connection to His Holiness, such as His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche, His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Khandro Rinpoche, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Ayang Rinpoche andContinue reading “The 40th Anniversary of His Holiness Karmapa’s Parinirvana”

Gerry Wiener, who first began is Buddhist studies with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1971, recently joined the Karmapa Center 16 Board of Directors and will oversee the center’s information technology.

On this full moon day, the Karmapa Center 16 performed the Guru Yoga written by Dabzang Ngedon Tenpa Rabgye to honor the parinirvana of one of the forefathers of the Kagyu Lineage, Lord Gampopa, whose heart son was Düsum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa. In performing this Guru Yoga, the Karmapa Center 16 joined other monasteries,Continue reading “The Anniversary of Gampopa”

Led by Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche, today lamas and friends, gathered at the center to make special offerings and prayers to the Buddha, recollecting his First Turning of Wheel of Dharma in Varanasi, India 2,600 years ago.

Karmapa Center 16 is grateful to have longtime Buddhist practioner Lynne Conrad Marvet now serving on its Board of Directors as secretary. An artist, performer, teacher and professional fundraiser, Lynne grew up in Chattanooga, TN, and began meditating when she was 16 years old. But it wasn’t until she met His Holiness the 16th GyalwangContinue reading “28th Story Update: Taking Refuge with the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa”

Today the Karmapa Center 16 held a ceremonial ritual in celebration of His Holiness Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje’s 36th birthday, with aspiration prayers for his long life and the flourishing of his activity. It was followed by a traditional tea and rice offering to His Holiness and everyone gathered. 

On the great occasion of Saka Dawa, the lamas of the Karmapa Center 16 performed praises and aspirational prayers to the Buddha Shakyamuni, today. On this day, the extraordinary deeds the Buddha manifested 2,600 years ago are remembered by Buddhists all over the world. Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche said that for Tibetan Buddhists, a small differenceContinue reading “Saka Dawa”

Karmapa Center 16 is delighted to welcome Acharya Lhakpa Tshering to its Board of Directors. He will oversee fundraising for the center. Lhakpa Tshering was born in a remote village in Dagapela in southern Bhutan. One of nine siblings, he and his family lived in an “environmentally friendly house” with no electricity or running water.  AtContinue reading “26th Story Update — Acharya Lhakpa Tshering: monk, scholar, accomplished meditator”

Throughout his remarkable life, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa gave powerful teachings around the world with his physical presence as well as his speech and mind. In 1980, despite his declining health and physicians’ directives to rest and not travel, His Holiness embarked on a third major international tour, focusing on North America andContinue reading “25th Story Update: A Pithy Teaching”

Karmapa Center 16 welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors: Acharya Lhakpa Tshering, Lynne Conrad Marvet and Gerry Wiener. They will be joining current board members: Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche, President and Lama Phuntsok, Vice President and advisor to the board, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. Acharya Lhakpa Tshering was born in Bhutan and entered monasticContinue reading “Announcing New Board Members”

What I saw […] was not His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa but radiant and resplendent Avalokiteśvara. It was totally overwhelming and breathtaking to witness other-worldly compassionate activity taking place in this human realm. — Steve Roth, personal driver of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa There are many remarkable stories recounted about His Holiness theContinue reading “24th Story Update: A Glimpse of Avalokiteśvara”

Before the change of the Lunar New Year, it is traditional to engage in practices to clear out any remaining negativity lingering from the previous year. Before the beginning of the Year of the Iron Ox, Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche and the lamas at KC16 held pre-Losar Mahakala pujas with abundant offerings to clear the wayContinue reading “Before the Lunar New Year”

Don Winchell describes how HHK16 created the environment around him and the way it brought about unexpected transformations.

On the passing of founding board member Damayonti Sengupta

Don Winchell describes how HHK16 created the environment around him and the way it brought about unexpected transformations.

Greetings dear friends of KC 16, Many of us have seen the yellow and blue Dream Flag or Namchen Banner of the 16th Karmapa, but not many of us may know the story behind it. We had the good fortune to speak to the person who, at the request of His Holiness, sewed the originalContinue reading “Twenty-first Story Update: Wherever the flag is flown, the Dharma Will Flourish”

On this auspicious day of the Parinirvana of Düsum Khyenpa (1110-1193), the First Karmapa, KC16 Rinpoche and Lamas perform extended practices. Historically, in Tibet, there were three “seats” of the Karmapas correlating with the sacred abodes of body, speech and mind of the Glorious Chakrasamvara. Kampo Nenang is the lower seat of “body”, Karma GönContinue reading “Nineteenth Story Update: Parinirvana Day of the First Karmapa”

Dear Friends of KC16, During the rise of the coronavirus pandemic, adoptions and sales of pets have similarly soared around the world, bringing companionship, comfort and joy to many. His Holiness the 16th Karmapa understood that joy and extended his deep compassion and love to all animals, though most especially to birds.   The connection betweenContinue reading “Eighteenth Story Update: The Joy of Birds”

KC16 celebrates the day His Holiness the 16th Karmapa attained Parinirvana according to the Western calendar. Therefore, November 5 is the day! Each year a long guru yoga puja is conducted in alternating years of a composition by Chamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche and one by Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche. This year KC16 will be performing theContinue reading “Seventeenth Story Update: Celebrating HHK16’s Parinirvana Day!”

KC16 raised “Lungta” prayer flags, or wind horse flags, and recited a long life smoke puja composed by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa on Friday, October 30, 2020.

This upcoming lunar year – the year of the ox – is an obstacle year for HHK17. Therefore, beginning today, October 24, 2020,  Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche and KC16 Lamas will preform Tara feast offering puja on every 10th of the lunar month, Mahakala feast offering puja on every 29th of lunar month and recite AmitayusContinue reading “Sixteenth Story Update: Prayers beginning for HHK17’s obstacle year”

In a recent post, we learned that one of the main practices of the 16th Karmapa was Tara, but did you know that White Tara was His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s’ yidam? We practice Tara for three main reasons: She is powerful, her blessings are fast, and she is immeasurably kind. White Tara is practicedContinue reading “Fifteenth Story Update: Tara and her connection to the Kagyu Lineage”

Last week, soil samples from deep within the land at KC16 were taken as the next step for our engineers and architects to move forward with foundation plans. The contractors gave us the surplus soil, which Drupon Rinpoche and the Lamas on site have been using to construct small Guru Rinpoche statues from the blessedContinue reading “Fourteenth Story Update: Guru Rinpoche blessing statues formed from KC16 earth”

The Karmapa Center 16 is pleased to be joining Nalandabodhi International (NBI) and Nalanda West for NBI’s fifth annual Tara Drupchen to be held online from September 24 to 27.   Tara Drupchen Info and Registration Most of you know the Tara Sadana is a daily practice at KC16, but did you know that itContinue reading “Thirteenth Story Update: Virtual Tara Drupchen – September 24 – 27, 2020”

A joyful Chökhor Düchen to each and every one of you from The Karmapa Center 16! This day marks the first time the Buddha Shakyamuni turned the wheel of Dharma. This holiday celebrates the day the Buddha taught on the Four Noble Truths in Deer Park in Sarnath, thus laying the ground for the entireContinue reading “Twelfth Story Update: Joyful Chökhor Düchen Greetings”

Friends of Karmapa Center 16, we wish you a very happy summer, the season in which both the 16th and 17th Karmapa were born. In honor of their summertime births, we would like to share a special prayer by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, “Toward the Supreme Illumination.” It’s our aspiration that His words fill yourContinue reading “Eleventh Story Update: Toward the Supreme Illumination”

This lunar month is the time when we celebrate Saga Dawa, the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of the Shakyamuni Buddha. It is also a somber time for many, as we grapple with the death of black American citizen George Floyd, which sparked protest in cities across the United States for two weeks. This, combined with COVID-19Continue reading “Tenth Story Update: Liberation Upon Seeing”

Our world continues to suffer in a multitude of ways from the coronavirus. Reported cases surpassed three million and deaths are over three hundred thousand. People are struggling with anxiety, fear and isolation. WHAT CAN WE DO?As dharma practitioners, we have the tools to take inspiration from the vast loving-kindness of His Holiness The Sixteenth Karmapa,Continue reading “Ninth Story Update: Participate in “The Kindness Rocks Project””

This week, KC16 is inviting Dharma practitioners worldwide to find refuge in, to reflect upon, and to receive direct inspiration from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa through his declaration, “A Reminder to Myself” translated into English by Tyler Dewar. “With your supreme intelligence, you realized the intention of the unsurpassable vehicle, the tradition of Padmakara.Continue reading “Eighth Story Update: A Prayer by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa”

This week we’re fortunate to share Prayers for the Pandemic to Subside, the seven days of live-streamed prayers and teachings given by His Holiness The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje’s, one week of prayers to help us and everyone struggling with the coronavirus.  He kindly reminds us to consider our holistic health: “So whenContinue reading “Seventh Story Update: Teachings By HHK17 and Prayer to Pacify Disease”

As COVID-19 continues to keep families at home, millions of children around the world are countering anxiety and fear by spreading hope through artwork.  This global campaign began last month when children in Italy began hanging drawings of rainbows with the phrase “Andrà tutto bene” (“Everything will be alright”) in their windows. Now children (andContinue reading “Sixth Story Update: #SpreadHope with a Rainbow in Your Window!”

“Karmapa” literally means “He who engages in Enlightened Activity” or “the one who carries out buddha-activity.” For more than eight centuries, the Karmapa lineage has done just that — spontaneously and compassionately taken action to benefit beings, in whatever way conditions permitted.    In honor of the vast positive activity of His Holiness the 16thContinue reading “Fifth Story Update: Share an Act of Kindness for the World”

“The 16th Gyalwang Karmapa seldom gave Dharma teachings through words but taught intensively through physical gestures and tamed beings through his mere presence. One of his major activities was to liberate all those who saw him … so there is undoubtedly great value in any visual connection made with him.”* — His Holiness the 17thContinue reading “Fourth Story Update: James Gimian Shares His [Video] Recollections About His Holiness the 16th Karmapa”

Dear Friends, As we reach out today, we acknowledge that there are few places that have not been touched by the coronavirus. Many countries, states, and towns have instituted shut downs and continue to publish daily safety measures. The World Health Organization gives us international information, updates and  perspective.  KC16 Lamas are in strict retreatContinue reading “Third Campaign Update: HH the Sakya Trichen [Video] Story About His Holiness the 16th Karmapa”

Dear wonderful students, volunteers, friends, and supporters of all kinds, to be kind to ourselves and all of you and comply with local, state and federal regulations and suggestions regarding coronavirus protection, we wanted to inform you that our resident Lamas are now in strict retreat to to extra prayers for the current pandemic. WeContinue reading “KC16 Lamas are in strict retreat for prayers for the current pandemic.”

During this time of the global pandemic of coronavirus, when anxiety and fear are rampant, we are fortunate to be able to connect with the dharma, with our genuine heart of goodness and our wish to benefit beings—no matter what. We have the opportunity to be mindful and aware of our actions, how they affectContinue reading “Second Campaign Update: Ani Pema Chödrön’s Story About His Holiness the 16th Karmapa”

Today, on Chötrul Düchen, we celebrate the Buddha’s performance of miracles. It is said that the Buddha displayed a different miracle each day to spur devotion and to increase the merit of his current and future disciples. Nowdays, this is an opportunity to appreciate Buddha Shakyamuni, whose wisdom lives on in the minds and heartsContinue reading “First Campaign Update: Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s story About His Holiness the 16th Karmapa”

It has been a long time since we’ve had news to share about the progress of The Karmapa Center 16’s vision to build a Parinirvana Stupa and retreat center for His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa.  We are delighted to inform you that we have at long last received preliminary approvals from the Village Board forContinue reading “HHK16 Paranirvana Stupa Crowdfunding Campaign Launches (March 1, 2020)”

Lama Lodo Rinpoche from Kagyu Droden Kunchab Center visited and practiced at The Karmapa Center 16 to celebrate His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa’s Parinirvana Day November 5, 2019. Drupon Rinpoche, Lama Phuntsok, Lama Rabten and Lama Zopa all chanted together. Practitioners included two twin babies, our youngest students!

The Karmapa Center 16 is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Venerable Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche this morning. Our hearts go out to his students in KTD, KTC and disciples’ around the world. During his life, Rinpoche fulfilled the wishes of His Holiness, the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa. In addition to all his wonderful qualitiesContinue reading “Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche’s passing”

The Karmapa Center 16 was honored to receive a visit from His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, August 30–September 1 in Wadsworth, Illinois. His Holiness arrived early evening on Thursday August 30th. Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche, staff and friends of KC16 were overjoyed to receive His Holiness and His Entourage forContinue reading “The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa visits The Karmapa Center 16”

The annual weekend celebration of the Parinirvana of the 16th Karmapa Under a full moon shining on the waters of Lake Michigan, the annual weekend celebration of His Holiness, the 16th Karmapa’s Parinirvana opened with a teaching by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche on Friday, November 4, at the Illinois Beach Hotel in Zion, Illinois. Damayonti Sengupta,Continue reading “The Karmapa Center 16 celebrates Parinirvana of His Holiness”

The Karmapa Center 16 invites you to a weekend celebration of Parinirvana Day for His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. Space is limited, therefore tickets are REQUIRED even for free events. Friday, November 3, 2017, 7:00 pm | Illinois Beach Resort Hotel Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche (DPR) teaching followed by tea & snacks Saturday, November 4, 2017, 2:30 pm | TheContinue reading “DPR teaches at 2017 Parinirvana Day weekend celebration”

Venerable Tersay Thutop Tulku Rinpoche visited and blessed the stupa land on August 7, 2016.

The Karmapa Center 16 was hosted Ven Master Haitao for a fire puja and life release ceremony July 22, 2016. 海濤法師弘法現場直播recorded the ceremony.

KC16 is pleased to announce the program for His Holiness the 16th Karmapa’s Parinirvana November 3-5, 2017 (actual parinirvana day is November 5). The weekend includes teachings by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, relic blessings, and practice in Zion, IL and at the KC16 center in Wadsworth, IL. Save the date! If you haven’t yet made a pilgrimage, thisContinue reading “Parinirvana Day for His Holiness the 16th Karmapa with teachings by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche – save the date!”

Join us on Friday, July 22 for a very special occasion—a visit to The Karmapa Center 16 by the Venerable Master Hai Tao! About the Venerable Master Hai Tao “Vowing to save the sentient beings from suffering rather than seeking personal happiness” is the code of conduct for the Venerable Master Hai Tao. The Venerable Master HaiContinue reading “Save the Dates! Venerable Master Hai Tao at KC16”

The Karmapa Center 16 is pleased to announce that at the end of May we successfully purchased the beautiful 10-acre prairie land, farmhouse and outbuildings in Wadsworth, Illinois! Blessed by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, the future site of the parinirvana stupa dedicated to His Holiness the 16th Karmapa is one major step closer toContinue reading “Stupa Land Successfully Purchased!”

2/14/2016 — Bodh Gaya, India. On February 14, 2016, the seventh day of the first month of the Tibetan Year of the Fire Monkey, H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa presided over a commemoration ceremony honoring the life and enlightened activity of H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, at the 33rd Kagyu Monlam Chenmo. TheContinue reading “Commemoration of the 16th Karmapa at Kagyu Monlam”

As previously announced, thanks to all of your contributions so far, we are 86% of the way to our goal of purchasing the land for The Karmapa Center 16 memorial stupa hall. We are now thrilled to announce that another generous donor and her company have offered a $100,000 Challenge Grant for the remaining fundsContinue reading “New Challenge Grant for the Start of 2016!”

༄༅།། མེ་སྤྲེལ་གནམ་ལོ་གསར་དུ་བཞད་ པའི་དགའ་སྟོན་ལ་བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས་ཞུ། ལོ་གསར་པའི་ནང་སྐུ་གཟུགས་བདེ་ཐང་བྱ་བ་ རྣམས་ཡིད་བཞིན་འགྲུབ་པའི་སྨོན་འདུན་ཞུ་རྒྱུ་ཡི།   Wishing you auspicious and happy celebrations for the New Year of the Fire Monkey. May this year bring you good health, accomplishments in your activities, and may all your wishes come true.   親愛的各地朋友與道友們， 喜樂的猴年來臨之際，在此獻上滿滿的新年祝願！此外，對於慷慨協助第十六世大寶法王紀念中心之興建的功德主與義工們，我也由衷感恩大家的大力護持！ 祈願大家修持猛進、喜樂充滿，世願所求如意順遂，祈願您新的來年富足豐饒、平安健康。 迪雅竹奔仁波切 敬筆 西元2016年2月6日

 

Great thanks to all the generous benefactors of The Karmapa Center 16! We are pleased to announce that kind donors have meet our $200,000 challenge grant, and more! This brings us $400,000 closer to our Phase I fundraising goal of $985,000 for property purchase and fees associated with planning studies and operational costs. We areContinue reading “Challenge Grant Met!”

ON OCTOBER 21st, 2015, the Tibetan Tsurluk lunar calendar anniversary, Lamas and guests gathered at Karmapa Center 16 to mark the 34th anniversary of the parinirvana of the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa. The previous Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, passed away on November 5th, 1981 at the American International Clinic (now Cancer Treatment Centers of America) inContinue reading “34th Anniversary of the 16th Karmapa’s Parinirvana Commemorated at The Karmapa Center 16”

We have an incredible opportunity to purchase the Wadsworth, IL land located 5 miles west of the 16th Karmapa’s parinirvana at the cancer center and blessed by the 17th Karmapa. We invite you to join us in this auspicious undertaking to establish this pilgrimage site in North America! As we complete ecological and traffic studiesContinue reading “Join our campaign to purchase The Karmapa Center 16 land by October 31st, 2015”

We are pleased to share the news that His Holiness the 17th Karmapa stayed at the Karmapa Center 16 land during his 2015 tour of the U.S. on Sunday, May 3rd and Monday May 4th. During his stay, he visited the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) and received a tour from Bill Kelly whoContinue reading “17th Karmapa Blesses Proposed Stupa Ground & Visits CTCA”

The preliminary draft plans drawn by architect Keith Spruce show that the parinirvana stupa will be on the western third of the ten-acre property. The 30 foot stupa will be enclosed by a building with the entrance facing east towards the cancer center. This stupa and meditation hall will offer seating for over 100 meditatorsContinue reading “Architectural Plans”

We have located a lovely 10-acre property in Wadsworth, IL 5 miles almost directly west of the cancer center. We are leasing the property with option to buy with successful completion of appropriate studies, permits and approval of the Wadsworth Village Board. The property includes an existing single-family and caretaker’s house where we Lamas andContinue reading “Proposed Stupa Site”

The American International Hospital where His Holiness attained Parinirvana still exists, but has grown and expanded and changed ownership. It is one amongst a network of centers, now called Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Midwest Regional Medical Center. People refer to this facility as the Chicago Center, although it is located in Zion, IL, about 45 miles northContinue reading “Place of Parinirvana”