Tuesday 13. July 2004: Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, France
The stay at Dhagpo Kagyu Ling began with great dignity in the presence of Monsieur Wisselmann, the Sous-Préfet of Sarlat-la-Canéda, and Monsignor Mouisse, Bishop of Périgueux. Several high lamas, including Nendo Rinpoche, Khenpo Chödrak Tenphel Rinpoche, and Jigme Rinpoche, Gyalwa Karmapa’s European representative, were present, in addition to the monks of Zimchung Monastery of Sikkim, India, and the lamas and druplas of the French monastic hermitage Kundreul Ling. Mayors of neighbouring towns, representatives of the local government and of the Catholic Church, including the Episcopal vicar of Périgueux and several other priests, also joined for the opening ceremonies.

During their opening speeches, Monsignor Mouisse expressed the importance of encouraging communication between the Buddhist and Christian traditions, and Monsieur Wisselmann stressed how very essential the tradition of religious freedom is in France. While thanking the French Republic for having opened its doors to Tibetan Buddhism when its very existence was threatened, the Gyalwa Karmapa defined the true meaning of all authentic spiritual paths as the development of peace and tolerance.
H.H. Karmapa’s teachings focused on two aspects of the awakened mind: intention and application. In this context he spoke about the six paramitas. Over 1,000 people convened for this first day of the ceremony. Many of those present had been supporting Dhagpo Kagyu Ling for years.

The afternoon began with a Karma Pakshi ritual offering (Tsok), led by the monks from Zimchung Monastery and the Sangha of Kundreul Ling in the presence of Khenpo Chödrak Tenphel Rinpoche and 1,000 practitioners. As Umze Yeshe guided the prayers and chants, everyone joined in by practicing guru yoga or reciting the “Karmapa Chenno” mantra.

At the same time, H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa, accompanied by Jigme Rinpoche and representatives of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, consecrated the foundations of the Institute building. In 2002, H.H. Karmapa and Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche had blessed the site and laid the foundation stone for the building that is designed to house teachings, studies and the conservation of Buddhist texts. The Institute will allow the development of two main activities, the Shedra (college) and library; and public teachings. This project, which remained for several years in the planning stage, is now becoming a reality thanks to the generosity of a growing number of benefactors.

Wednesday 14. July 2004: Dhagpo Dedrol Ling and Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, France
In the morning, Dhagpo Dedrol Ling, a layperson’s retreat center in Dordogne founded by Gendun Rinpoche, welcomed H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa. Once he had visited the Drupkang (traditional three-year retreat center), H.H. Karmapa Thaye Dorje gave the Amitabha empowerment to the twelve practitioners in retreat. He then consecrated substances and mantras to be placed inside a Buddha statue that would adorn the new temple. The Karmapa himself placed the Soching – a carved wooden column measuring 1.2 meters high – inside the statue.
Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje then answered questions from the hundred people present. Many different subjects were covered, for example, the state of mind that should be cultivated in a Dharma center and how to find a balance between activity and meditation. Finally, before heading back to Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, the Gyalwa Karmapa met with practitioners in retreat.

In the afternoon, after having given refuge to several dozen people, the Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Green Tara empowerment in a huge tent erected for the occasion. Well over a thousand practitioners received Gyalwa Karmapa’s blessing, thus establishing an auspicious connection with Green Tara, The One Who Liberates.
H.H. Karmapa was accompanied by Mipham Rinpoche, Mayumla, Nendo Rinpoche, Khenpo Chödrak Tenphel Rinpoche, Jigme Rinpoche, the monks of Zimchung monastery, and members of the Kundreul Ling and Dhagpo Kagyu Ling Sangha.

Thursday 15. July 2004: Dhagpo Dargye Ling, France
The Marpa Empowerment, seldom given in the West, was given by Gyalwa Karmapa on the afternoon of July 15. Once again, the group of high lamas and over one thousand people convened to receive this rare initiation.

To wind up these three days of blessing and joy with Gyalwa Karmapa, the director of Dhagpo Kagyu Ling and the drupla responsible for the Karme Dharma Chakra offered a symbolic mandala of the universe in the name of all present, as well as objects representing enlightened body, speech and mind.
Before leaving, Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje asked everyone to make the most of their precious human existence by fully directing their energy into Dharma practice.