The Dhagpo Kagyu Mandala
In 1975, the16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981) chose the highly accomplished meditation master Lama Gendun Rinpoche and the beloved Lama Jigme Rinpoche as his representatives in France. They were to become the spiritual directors of the European Seat of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The 16th Karmapa’s intention has blossomed in the form of two unique sister centers: Dhagpo Kundreul Ling in Auvergne and Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in Dordogne. Both Dhagpo centers operate under the spiritual authority of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje and the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche.
Dhagpo Kundreul Ling situated in the pastoral hills of central France, is the largest group of Buddhist retreat centers and monastic hermitages in the West. Set a couple of miles apart, Le Bost and Laussedat house monasteries, retreat centers, stupas, temples, parks and a memorial garden. Among the numerous retreat centers, Pende Ling is destined for short-term individual retreats, while the other centers are reserved for the intensive, closed ‘3-year retreats’ and longer retreats of up to 12 years. Nearly 500 people - mainly western Europeans and also practitioners from the Americas, Eastern Europe and as far away as Tibet, Mongolia and Malaysia - have completed the traditional 3-year retreat there; 175 of these have completed two full cycles of retreat. Many of the practitioners who have completed a 3-year retreat, both the monastics and laypeople, continue their activity as Dharma teachers throughout Europe, the US, South America and Asia.
Dhagpo Kundreul Ling features three temples or meditation halls, including the newly completed Karmapa Temple, a 5-story traditional Tibetan building of rare beauty and workmanship. A newer development, the School of Sacred Art project aims to preserve and transmit specific forms of traditional Tibetan Buddhist art, thereby ensuring the survival of this ancient sacred art.
Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in southwest France, three hours from Dhagpo Kundreul Ling, serves as the European headquarters for the Karma Kagyu Lineage under the spiritual direction of Jigme Rinpoche. A vibrant, dynamic center offering a wide range of teachings and workshops year-round, from basics to advanced practice to interfaith encounters, it is also the mother center for some 60 smaller satellites called ‘KTTs’ throughout France and beyond. Dhagpo is home to the Institute and Library project, whose mission is to ensure the preservation, translation and study of Dharma texts. It is also the central host for the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje’s annual visits.
Slideshow: The Dhagpo Kagyu Mandala
Le Bost
Early morning mist at the Karmapa Temple in Le Bost, one of the two centers comprising Dhagpo Kundreul Ling, the 17th Karmapa's European retreat center located in the farmlands of Central France. Nearly 500 people have completed the traditional 3-year group retreat at DKL, the largest group of Buddhist retreat centers and monastic hermitages in the West.
Le Bost
Overview of Le Bost, which includes the Karmapa Temple, a stupa, the smaller Le Bost temple, a hermitage for short-term retreats, a park, a memorial garden, the men's monastery and facilities for the men's first and second cycle 3-year group retreats and longer-term retreat center.
Le Bost
Beyond the ornate gate the Karmapa House presides over the men's monastery. It overlooks the Karmapa Temple and has a view of the Puy du Dome mountain, an ancient sacred site in the Massive Central range. The traditional stone farmhouse in the foreground serves as a dining hall and housing.
Le Bost
Open to the public, the Karmapa Temple is a 5-story traditional meditation hall of rare beauty and workmanship. The stain glass, carvings, sculptures, painting, gold leaf and most of the construction were completed by practitioners from all over the world who generously donated their time and skill.
Le Bost
The Pende Ling hermitage is open to the public. Dhagpo lamas (those who have completed a 3-year retreat) provide individual practice instructions to the retreatants.
Laussedat
Overview of Laussedat, the companion center to Le Bost that is located two miles away. The site includes the Laussedat temple or meditation hall, a stupa, a park, the women's monastery and facilities for the women's first and second cycle 3-year group retreats and longer-term retreat center.
Le Bost
Walking towards the Karmapa Temple, the procession honors the 17th Karmapa on his first visit in 2000 to Dhagpo Kundreul Ling, the Karmapa's European retreat center.
Le Bost
Inside the Karmapa Temple, the lama community warmly welcomes the 17th Karmapa for his first visit to Dhagpo Kundreul Ling in 2000.
Le Bost
The late Venerable Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche, head of the Tsarpa School of the Sakya Lineage, giving essential transmissions over a month-long period in 2000 to the 17th Karmapa and the 14th Shamarpa at the Le Bost temple. Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche played an important role in recognizing the 17th Karmapa as the authentic incarnation of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa.
Laussedat
The 17th Karmapa with the late Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche and the 14th Shamarpa at the Laussedat temple in 2000.
Laussedat
The 17th Karmapa blessing a mother and child after a Chenrezig Empowerment at the Laussedat temple in 2002.
Dordogne
The 17th Karmapa giving a Chenrezig Empowerment in 2002 at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, the European seat of the Karma Kagyu Lineage.
Dordogne
The 17th Karmapa entering the meditation hall at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling to give a teaching on the Four Noble Truths in 2005.
Dordogne
Lama Jigme Rinpoche, spiritual director of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, with Western lamas (monastics in red robes and laypeople in brown robes) in the courtyard of the Lama House awaiting the arrival of the 17th Karmapa.
Dordogne
The 17th Karmapa blessing his family after giving the White Tara Empowerment in 2007 at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling. The Karmapa's family represents all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism: his father is the 3rd Mipham Rinpoche, a renowned scholar and master of the Nyingma tradition; his mother Dechen Wangmo is a direct descendant of the legendary King Gesar of Ling; and his younger brother the Gelug and Sakya Rinpoche, His Eminence the 14th Sonam Tsemo Rinpoche, is one of the five forefathers of the Sakya Lineage, the first five hierarchs of the Sakya Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
