Search Buddhist Channel

Karmapa will bring instant karma on his visit to Scotland

By CLAIRE SMITH, The Scotsman, 20 March 2010

Edinburgh, Scotland -- THE Karmapa, one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism, is to visit Scotland this year as part of his first trip to Europe.

The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, 24, will give a public talk at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, and visit the Buddhist-owned Holy Isle, off the coast of Arran.

The head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism will also visit the Samye Ling Tibetan centre in Dumfriesshire – the first Tibetan temple in the west. He follows in the footsteps of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpa Dorje, one of the inspirations behind the Samye Ling Centre.

Lama Yeshe, Abbot of the Samye Ling Monastery, said of the 17th Karmapa: "He is a man with a vision. He is young, he is engaging and he is a really modern teacher with a strong interest in environmental issues.

"His predecessor saw a vision at Samye Ling and said it was going to become one of the most successful monasteries in Europe."

The 16th Karmapa visited Scotland twice, in 1974 and 1976, and helped to draw up the plans for what would become Samye Ling.

The current Karmapa was born in 1985 in Tibet and hit the headlines all over the world when he escaped across the mountains to India in 2000, when he was just 14. The Karmapa, who now lives in India, visited the United States in 2008, but this is his first visit to Europe.

In a statement on his website The Karmapa said: "When I was very young, I used to look at many children's books from Europe and, somewhat inspired by those, I sometimes had an experience of being in the natural environment of ancient Europe, where I was living in a very pleasant and happy way.

"I think the most important thing is to follow in the footsteps of the 16th Karmapa. Whatever activities he started and imprints or impressions he left with his body, speech and mind in Europe and in the people of Europe, I wish to follow it up, continuing his activities and lay a good foundation in my students. This is my first wish."

He added that he also hoped to work towards bringing "not only outer material progress, but to bring inner happiness and wellbeing to the people of this world, finding a way to create the outer developments as a means to develop inner peace and joy."

Lord David Steel, who will introduce the Karmapa at his talk in the capital on 25 June said :

"I look forward to meeting this remarkable young man and to introducing his public talk.

"Having recently returned from a visit to Tibet, I am intrigued to meet the High Lama on whose youthful shoulders so much rests and to hearing his talk on a subject that affects us all, namely, The Key to Happiness."

Ani Rinchen Khandro, the resident nun from Samye Ling in Edinburgh, said for many Buddhists the Karmapa's visit was a dream come true. "I'm really excited. I have been wanting this to happen for so long."

We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)

Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.

For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team

Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv

TOP