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:
- Monthly Guru Yoga Practice – First Saturday of each month
- Sunday Meditation for All – Every Sunday morning
- Tibetan Language Class – Every Sunday evening
- And more activities at www.karmapacenter16.org
Whether you’re near or far, your practice enlivens the heart of this lineage.
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.
Karmapa Khyenno!
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