TEACHINGS BY KARMAPA

From beginner topics to advanced philosophy, the Gyalwang Karmapa generously teaches the Dharma several times a year. Here is a small sample of teachings on bodhicitta, meditation, emptiness, and more.

Photo © Olivier Adam

MIND TRAINING

A sample of the Karmapa’s teachings from The 8 Verses of Training the Mind by Geshe Chekewa.

 

Making Friends with Our World – Karmapa Teaches on Mind Training

Making Friends with Our World – Karmapa Teaches on Mind Training

The Marriot Conference Hall, Tysons Corner Marriott, Tysons, Virginia July 12, 2018 His Holiness began by extending his greetings to all who had come, particularly.. Read More →
The Karmapa Teaches on Mind Training (Lojong)

The Karmapa Teaches on Mind Training (Lojong)

“This initial verse,” the Karmapa summarized, “teaches that all living beings are more important than a precious wish-fulfilling jewel. .. Read More →
Compassion and Emptiness are the Keys

Compassion and Emptiness are the Keys

Continuing with his explanation of the Geshe Langri Tangpa’s Eight Verses of Mind Training, the Karmapa turned to the seventh verse, which teaches the practice.. Read More →
The Karmapa Teaches the Practices of Humility, Mindfulness, and Compassion

The Karmapa Teaches the Practices of Humility, Mindfulness, and Compassion

The first verse, he reminded us, gave the practice of seeing all living beings to be as precious as a wish-fulfilling jewel, and this second.. Read More →

MEDITATION

A selection of teachings by the Karmapa on how to meditate using the breath, or on disturbing emotions on the path.

 

The Gyalwang Karmapa Continues His Teaching on Meditation

The Gyalwang Karmapa Continues His Teaching on Meditation

In the morning session, the Gyalwang Karmapa had focused on the need to turn our minds inwards in order to find contentment and peace and.. Read More →
The Gyalwang Karmapa Teaches Meditation on the Breath

The Gyalwang Karmapa Teaches Meditation on the Breath

The topic of today’s teaching was on the practice of meditation and how to develop well-being and peace within our minds... Read More →
The Gyalwang Karmapa Visits Root Institute to Talk about Wisdom and Meditation

The Gyalwang Karmapa Visits Root Institute to Talk about Wisdom and Meditation

I am very happy to be at the Root Institute once again and I am delighted to see everyone come here to listen to the.. Read More →
His Holiness the Karmapa Speaks on Compassion and the Nature of Mind on the Eve of His Departure to India

His Holiness the Karmapa Speaks on Compassion and the Nature of Mind on the Eve of His Departure to India

The first step is to acknowledge to yourself that your own parents and family and immediate friends also have the same desires to be free.. Read More →

Webcast Archive

Almost all of the Gyalwang Karmapa’s teachings are webcast live online. You can view hundreds of hours of video teachings from around the world in the archives.

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BODHICITTA

A sample of the Karmapa’s teachings that emphasize the development of bodhicitta as a supreme motivation.

 

Karmapa Recites Mantras and Makes Concluding Aspirations for the World: Day Seven

Karmapa Recites Mantras and Makes Concluding Aspirations for the World: Day Seven

Tashi delek. Today is the seventh and final day of our prayers for the pandemic to subside. Today we will recite Tangtong Gyalpo’s Prayer that.. Read More →
Compassion Has Its Reasons

Compassion Has Its Reasons

The North American Kagyu Monlam, York College, Flushing, New York June 8, 2018 On this third day of the North American Kagyu Monlam, His Holiness.. Read More →
The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva Continued

The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva Continued

What is described here is how we cultivate relative bodhichitta in actual meditation practice—the stages which culminate in the ability to exchange oneself for others... Read More →
The Karmapa Begins Teachings on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva

The Karmapa Begins Teachings on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva

However, everyone here shares the desire to practice a bodhisattva’s training, including myself, so I will regard this situation as one where we are all.. Read More →
Recalling the Benefits of Bodhicitta

Recalling the Benefits of Bodhicitta

The Karmapa continued speaking on the topic of the precepts of aspirational bodhicitta from chapter ten of Gampopa’s Ornament of Precious Liberation, focusing on the.. Read More →
Never Giving Up on Sentient Beings

Never Giving Up on Sentient Beings

This section also treats the causes for losing aspirational bodhicitta. For instance, if our aim is incompatible with the Mahayana, then we will lose aspirational.. Read More →
Keeping the Bodhisattva’s Promise

Keeping the Bodhisattva’s Promise

The Karmapa added that even the frequent use of the words “loving kindness” and “compassion” are important. He said that if we live where people.. Read More →
We Are All a Part of Each Other: The Gyalwang Karmapa Continues His Teaching on Bodhicitta.

We Are All a Part of Each Other: The Gyalwang Karmapa Continues His Teaching on Bodhicitta.

Usually the food we eat was grown by others, and the clothes we wear were stitched by others. We do not see or know them,.. Read More →

EMPTINESS

From teachings on the Prajnaparamita Sutras to talks about the absolute bodhicitta, the Karmapa teaches on emptiness.

What Is Emptiness Really?

What Is Emptiness Really?

We have now come to the third section of the text, which presents the correct view, the view of emptiness or the Middle Way (Madhyamaka).. Read More →
Relaxing into Mind’s Nature: The Third Talk on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva

Relaxing into Mind’s Nature: The Third Talk on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva

The Riverside Church, New York, New York — May 30, 2018 His Holiness began today’s teachings in noting that yesterday he had finished an explanation.. Read More →
The Mind Only School: A New Book and Approach

The Mind Only School: A New Book and Approach

January 22, 2017 – Tergar Monastery, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India Today the Gyalwang Karmapa’s Altruism Publications released a new book in its series, Philosophical Views:.. Read More →
The Nature of Everything Is Emptiness

The Nature of Everything Is Emptiness

August 17, 2016 – Gurgaon. This afternoon the Karmapa continued to examine some of the points that he had talked about in the morning, when.. Read More →
The View of Emptiness and the Path to Buddhahood

The View of Emptiness and the Path to Buddhahood

To explain this situation, His Holiness used the analogy of the moon reflected in water: The water can clearly reflect the moon, but the actually.. Read More →
How to Truly Practice the Heart Sutra?

How to Truly Practice the Heart Sutra?

All the sutras present emptiness; they show the stages of realizing it, beginning with an ordinary mind and going all the way to buddhahood. There.. Read More →
The Gyalwang Karmapa Unlocks the Door to the Heart of Wisdom Sutra

The Gyalwang Karmapa Unlocks the Door to the Heart of Wisdom Sutra

The Tibetan tradition has maintained the explanation of eight Indian scholars, among them the most important and well known was Vimalamitra’s... Read More →
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REFUGE

Teachings by the Karmapa on the concept and vows of Refuge, the beginning of the path for all Buddhists regardless of the tradition.

 

In Kingston, Karmapa Offers Refuge to those Seeking Refuge

In Kingston, Karmapa Offers Refuge to those Seeking Refuge

(April 18, 2015 – Kingston, New York) Many of the 1,500 attending the afternoon teachings today had been waiting a long time to gather all.. Read More →
Karmapa Teaches New Ways to Understand Refuge

Karmapa Teaches New Ways to Understand Refuge

The Karmapa began by explaining the refuge vow as both the gateway to the Dharma and its essence. Encouraging people to reflect and find the.. Read More →
Authentic Refuge

Authentic Refuge

Monlam Pavilion, Bodhgaya, India, January 3, 2014 In the morning session the Gyalwang Karmapa had explored the meaning of taking refuge and described how to.. Read More →

ENVIRONMENT

The Karmapa is a passionate environmentalist and regularly gives talks about vegetarianism and protecting the environment.

Buddhism and the Environment: Being Content to Live With Less

Buddhism and the Environment: Being Content to Live With Less

He began by recollecting his own childhood in a remote area of Tibet, devoid of modern technology and other aspects of the contemporary world. Within.. Read More →
Connect with the Environment through Your Heart

Connect with the Environment through Your Heart

o when he speaks of the environment, it’s not just based on a sequence of logic or some understanding, but a very special, deep feeling... Read More →
Compassion in Action: Environmentalism for the 21st Century

Compassion in Action: Environmentalism for the 21st Century

Bonn, Germany – 28th August, 2015 Evening Session In the first public talk of his second visit to Europe, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa began.. Read More →