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Karmapa – The Official Website of the 17th Karmapa Karmapa – The Official Website of the 17th Karmapa
  • The Karmapa
    • A Short Biography
    • The Lineage of Karmapas
    • Activities & Projects
  • Teachings
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    • Podcast
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    • Shakyamuni Buddha
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Feb 02

In Teaching During Winter Debate, Gyalwang Karmapa Stresses Integration of Study and Practice.

Februrary 2, 2012 – Bodhgaya.

As has become an annual custom, the Gyalwang Karmapa today addressed the entire gathering of monastics attending the 15th Annual Kagyu Gunchö (Kagyu Winter Debates) in Bodhgaya. Half an hour after the doors opened for the afternoon session, the assembly hall filled Tergar Monastery to overflowing, with nearly 1,000 monks and nuns occupying the bulk of the large hall, and laypeople seated in the little space remaining in the back and spilling outside onto the lawn surrounding the assembly hall.

The theme for His Holiness’ talk was Motivation, Conduct and Inspiration for Study and Practice. The Gyalwang Karmapa described the historical trajectory of study and debate within the Karma Kagyu, noting the influence of the Eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje. He described a tendency in recent times for study institutions, or “shedra” to become distanced from the remainder of the monastery of which they form a part. With separate fund-raising efforts, separate emphasis and separate institutional structure, there is a danger that the study taking place in the shedra might appear to be separate from the activities of meditation and formal practice taking place in the rest of the monastery.

The Gyalwang Karmapa cautioned strongly against this, underscoring the complementary relation of study and practice. His Holiness went on to explore the correct relationship between study and practice not only within a monastery but also within a single practitioner. Study through reading and listening to Dharma teachings should become a basis for reflection, he said. In turn, this education that comes from studying and reflecting forms the basis for meditative practice. As such, study is neither an end in itself nor an activity that can yield its final fruits without the practice of meditation.

At the same time, His Holiness encouraged those present to devote themselves wholeheartedly to their studies while they have the opportunity, and offered advice on how to make the most of that opportunity. He identified several factors that pose serious obstacles to our study—laziness, pride and non-virtuous friends who mislead or distract us. Finally, the Gyalwang Karmapa offered detailed advice on how to guard against the three.

His Holiness spoke in Tibetan, and simultaneous translation was provided into English, Chinese, Spanish and French. The entire afternoon teaching was webcast live, with 500 computers connecting to view the event from around the world.

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MIND TRAINING TEACHING
The Gyalwang Karmapa gave an extensive teaching on the 8 Verses of Training the Mind

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The Gyalwang Karmapa taught on how to practice Chenrezik and recite his mantra

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100 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS
Taught over nine sessions, this text by the 8th Karmapa was taught in great depth by the present Karmapa.

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THREE PRINCIPLE ASPECTS
A comprehensive teaching that condenses the entire Buddhist path by Tsongkhapa

 

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About the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is the head of the 900 year old Karma Kagyu Lineage and guide to millions of Buddhists around the world.

Born in 1985, the Karmapa resides in his temporary home at Gyuto Monastery in India after making a dramatic escape from Tibet in the year 2000.

Traveling the world, the Karmapa skillfully teaches traditional Tibetan Buddhist Dharma while also advocating topics such as environmental conservation, feminism, digitization of the Dharma, and much more.

Please use the icons below to find the Karmapa on social media maintained by his office of administration.

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