Monday 28. June 2004: Paris, France
Gyalwa Karmapa gave refuge vows and the empowerment of Chenrezig to about 1000 people in Paris. The transmission was introduced by a general presentation on Buddhism by Jean Pierre Schnetzler, president of the FFCBK (Fédération Française des Centers Bouddhiste Karma-Kagyu).

Tuesday 29. June 2004: Karmapa Mikyö Dorje Center, Gulina, Spain.
The visit of H.H. Karmapa was preceded and announced by the arrival of Karmapa's monks from Rumtek Monastery, who had performed a ritual of sacred dances in May.
H.H. Karmapa arrived at the KMD Center, Gulina, where he was received by his parents, Dechen Wangmo and Mipham Rinpoche, as well as by the Venerable Lama Teunsang and the Venerable Lama Chogdrup Dorje (director of the Center) and by Buddhists practitioners from Spain and France.
After lunch His Holiness blessed the Center, the surrounding land and the site where the future monastery will be built. H.H. Karmapa then went to Pamplona (Hotel Iruña Park) where the wife and sons of the founder of the KMD Center, Jesús Javier Juanotena made an offering and a request for the long life for His Holiness. H.H. Karmapa gave refuge and the Dorje Sempa empowerment to the many Buddhist practitioners who had come from all over Spain and parts of France to take part in this important event.
In the evening, H.H. Karmapa led the Mahakala practice in the privacy of the KMD Center.

Wednesday 30. June, after giving valuable dharma guidance and advice to the members of the KMD Center, H.H. Karmapa returned to Pamplona, where the Buddhist practitioners present had the opportunity to receive the Bodhisattva Vow from His Holiness.

Wednesday 30. June 2004: San Sebastian, Spain
His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa, along with the lamas of his entourage, his parents Mipham Rinpoche and Mayum, and Trinlay Tulku arrived in San Sebastian. The party stayed at the Hotel Maria Cristina, where the ceremonies took place. H.H. Karmapa visited the Buddhist Center, received kataks and gave blessings in the center where Dharma practice and teachings have been going on for the last 22 years. Thereafter, a welcome lunch was offered to His Holiness, the accompanying lamas and 80 members of the Dharma community.
In the afternoon Trinlay Tulku gave teachings on love and compassion. Trinlay Tulku’s lecture was attended by over 300 people, including 50 French Buddhists from the Cotte Basque.
In the evening His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa gave the Chenresig Empowerment followed by explanations. Around 400 people were present and over a 100 took refuge. A deep feeling of love touched the hearts of those gathered and the place was completely filled with the warmth of His Holiness’ blessing.
The first visit of H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa to San Sebastian was well covered by the local media and had a positive impact in the local press. Local newspapers and radio covered the visit extensively. A local television station broadcasted an interview with Trinlay Tulku.

Thursday 1. July 2004: Cerence, France
The "Yoga & Famille Association" received H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa. H.H. Karmapa visited the facilities and blessed the premises of the Association.
Around 120 people offered kataks and received a blessing from His Holiness. Later on, His Holiness and all lamas, including Lama Teunsang, performed the daily Mahakala Puja. In the evening H.H. Karmapa gave teachings on compassion. His Holiness’ Dharma lecture was translated by Trinlay Tulku. During his visit, H.H. Karmapa named the "Yoga & Famille Association"  ‘Karma Samten Ling’.

Friday-Sunday 2-4. July 2004: Yoga Dharma de Babylone, France
H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa arrived with the Duche Sangha from Rumtek and Lama Teunsang. He granted the empowerment of White Tara to the audience on Friday and the Vajrapani-Hayagriva-Garuda initiation on Saturday. On Sunday morning His Holiness gave the Bodhisattva Vow. The consecration and blessing of the center followed and. H.H. Karmapa named the center “Karma Öser Ling”. The monk dancers performed holy dances. Those present at the dances included the Venerable Father Deschamp of the Abbey of St. Wandrille and a local deputy. 250 people attended the ceremonies each day.

Monday-Tuesdat 5.-6. July 2004: Kundreul Ling, France
Gyalwa Karmapa arrived at 3:00 PM. A hundred people present received a blessing from His Holiness in a peaceful and joyful atmosphere. In the evening His Holiness performed the Mahakala Puja.


[No pictures received yet from Gulina, Cerence, Yoga Dharma de Babylone for this Website documentation]