Third Campaign Update: HH the Sakya Trichen [Video] Story 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 retreat doing extended prayers for coronavirus. We’ve posted some pictures on Facebook of a fire puja, may they be beneficial! While this is not an ideal time for a fundraising campaign, we thought that hearing stories about His Holiness the 16th Karmapa is helpful for this time, so we will do our best to continue sharing stories in the next few months.  

This week, we’re delighted and honored to hear His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche,* talk about his relationship with His Holiness, the 16th Karmapa. In this video, HH Sakya Trichen explains that building a stupa is a very meritorious action because, “by building a stupa it will emanate many blessings and benefits to all sentient beings so that everybody will have good peace and harmony throughout the world.” This merit is doubled because it is for His Holiness the 16th Karmapa.

*His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, was the 41st and longest reigning Sakya Trizin.

As of this third week of the campaign, we’ve reached $132,500 USD from over 200 donors. Likewise, we’ve had the support of nearly 780 social media shares and over 200 campaign followers! We’ve made significant strides toward our fundraising goal. 

Thank you for your continued support of our campaign and for sharing this with your family and friends. Please be safe and healthy. Stay tuned for more exciting campaign updates in the week ahead! 

Second Campaign Update: Ani Pema Chödrön’s Story About His Holiness the 16th Karmapa

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 affect ourselves and others, and to kindly help stop the spread of the virus (see the CDC page).

We are even more fortunate that we are able to connect with the presence of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, to then slow down and move through the world with aware kindness in a spacious, relaxed state.  

Ani Pema Chödrön* was a close student of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa and in the attached, inspiring video interview (16 minutes), she recalls being in the presence of His Holiness: “It was like he dwelled in this timeless, present state, and you were just drawn right into that.” She shares the impact he had on her life and those of countless others. She also highlights why building the stupa at KC16 is so important to the world. 

Click photo to view video of Ani Pema Chödrön | Mark Elliott, Interviewer | Doug Beechwood, Producer

Many of you realize the importance of the stupa project — in just two weeks, since our official kick off on March 1st, we’ve raised 129,000 USD from 190 donors! We’ve had the support of over 750 social media shares, with nearly 200 followers watching the campaign and actively getting the word out. We are building more momentum by the moment. 

With a joyous heart, we offer great thanks to everyone for your kindness, generosity and support of our cause. Please continue to widely share our campaign with others as that is a huge contribution in itself. 

We hope this week’s KC16 Parinirvana Stupa crowdfunding campaign update, featuring Ani Pema Chödrön, will be of great benefit. See you next week with another update and very special video story celebrating the great life and teachings of His Holiness!

*Ani Pema Chödrön is an American Tibetan Buddhist. She is an ordained nun, former acharya of Shambhala Buddhism and disciple of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. She has written several dozen books and audiobooks, and is principal teacher at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, Canada. 

HHK16 Paranirvana Stupa Crowdfunding Campaign Launches (March 1, 2020)

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 for the building plans! Therefore, we are able to announce the launch of a $1 million crowdfunding campaign to begin the stupa temple, a house for His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, and retreat housing. The whole site will be a peaceful place to practice, conduct pilgrimage and learn about Buddhism and the Karma Kagyu lineage. 

His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, in a video statement recorded at the Karmapa Center 16, said “I would request everyone who has a connection of faith toward the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa to support these projects as much as possible.” View the video on the campaign’s GoFundMe page.

To contribute to manifesting this vast vision donate today!

Join our campaign to purchase The Karmapa Center 16 land by October 31st, 2015

His Holiness, the 16th Karmapa with Chogyam Trungpa RInpoche in the United States.


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 studies to prepare for the county and village meetings and permit approval process, we are simultaneously fundraising to purchase the land. To date, approximately $300,000 has been raised… 

in order to close on this property, we require an additional $650,000 by October 31, 2015.  

How can I help, you ask?

We’re so very glad you did! There are several ways to make a connection to the project and contribute meaningfully:

  • Donate in the following ways:
    • Online
    • Write a check to “The Karmapa Center 16” and mail to: 41230 Kilbourne Road, Wadsworth, IL 60083
    • Wire transfer or direct deposit by contacting us at info@karmapacenter16.org, Subject line: DONATION
  • Spread the word
    • Tell your friends!
    • Share the news on social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn
    • Contact us at info@karmapacenter16.org for brochures/pledge card packages to distribute
  • Share your stories, experiences, pictures and memories with the 16th Karmapa by emailing us at info@karmapacenter16.org
    • Video yourself sharing the story
    • Write your story
    • Scan your pictures or memorabilia

We look forward to hearing from you!

HHK blesses proposed Stupa ground
HHK17 blesses the proposed HHK16 parinirvana stupa ground at The Karmapa Center 16