Right Here

While we may despair that we are living in terrible times, it is true also that we are living in wonderful times. Buddhism has spread far outside Asia, and once-remote teachings are now just a click away.

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, will be visiting the United States from May 15 to June 2. I have requested press credentials for at least some part of His Holiness's New York events, so I hope to bring you a first-hand account. After he leaves New York he will travel on to Boulder and then Seattle. Here is the itinerary (subject to change) in PDF form; scroll down to the second page.

His Holiness is the head of the Kagyu school, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The lineage of the Karmapa dates to 1110, which makes it nearly three centuries older than the lineage of the Dalai Lama.

The 3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339) wrote an especially beautiful prayer, called "Wishing Prayer for the Attainment of the Ultimate Mahamudra." This prayer is a personal favorite Buddhist text, and it's always a delight to share it with others. And it's just a click away.

Photo Credit: © Ling Cui | Dreamstime.com