Ole Nydahl
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Lama Ole Nydahl (b. 19 March 1941 in Copenhagen, Denmark) is a Buddhist teacher and a Lama of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Since the 1970s he has travelled the world teaching and founding meditation centres.
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[edit] Teachers
Ole Nydahl’s first teacher was the Drukpa-Kagyu master Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche. In December 1969[1] Ole Nydahl and his late wife, Hannah Nydahl met the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, a renowned yogi and the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage. They were among the first Western students of the 16th Karmapa. Ole Nydahl is also a student of Shamar Rinpoche.
[edit] Activity
The Karmapa had a profound influence on their lives and asked them to help bring Buddhism to the West. As a result Ole Nydahl began to teach Buddhism and organize meditation centers, first in his native Denmark and then in Germany and other countries. The centres have the title "Diamond Way Buddhism", they belong to the Karma Kagyu Lineage, and operate under Ole Nydahl's practical guidance. As of January 2007, there are 540 Diamond Way centers throughout the world, mainly in Europe, Russia and the United States. Ole Nydahl travels between them during the year giving lectures and meditation courses. His courses cover topics such as 'Mahamudra' (The Great Seal) and ‘Phowa’ (the ‘Practice of conscious dying’, or ‘Transference of consciousness at the time of death’).
Ole Nydahl is an enthusiastic skydiver and often uses parachuting metaphors in his teaching. In July 2003 on his eighty-eighth jump, he was seriously injured while free-falling in lotus position. He has since made a full recovery. He is the author of nine books in English, including "The Way Things Are", "Entering the Diamond Way" and "The Great Seal".
[edit] Controversies
Aside from the 14th Shamarpa, Ole Nydahl is one of the most prominent supporters of Karmapa Thaye Dorje in the controversy over the identity of the 17th Karmapa, who assert the Dalai Lama is not entitled to recognize (and has never before recognized) the head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The 14th Dalai Lama confirmed the recognition by the Kagyu masters Situ Rinpoche and Gyaltsap Rinpoche, of Ogyen Trinley Dorje, after both requested him to give his opinion.
According to Oliver Freiberger there is an "ongoing controversy"[2] about Ole Nydahl, whose statements and activities offend a number of Buddhists who claim that his conduct is not appropriate for a Buddhist teacher.[2] "Nydahl has been accused not only of speaking in a conceited and militaristic way, but also of being right wing, racist, sexist, and hostile to foreigners. His unusual activities (e.g., bungee jumping, fast motor cycles and parachuting) also annoy Buddhists who are not his followers—be they other adherents of the Karma Kagyü school or not."[2][3][4]
[edit] Ole Nydahl's responses to the controversies
When asked if it is the task of a Buddhist teacher to address social and political issues Ole Nydahl responded:
- "... If the people who can see further don't speak, they are shirking their responsibility. I always say, ‘I don't have to be popular, but I must be right.’" [5]
- "... The teacher must act as he speaks. He should also not simply avoid confrontational subjects but point out the causes of future trouble like overpopulation in ghettos and poor countries, and the growth of Islam. If a teacher always tells sweet nothings he is not protecting his students. He must be willing to offend some. This is his responsibility." [6]
His supporters argue that Ole Nydahl stated often: "the best way to address the world’s greatest problems is to pay poor families around the world to not have more than one or two children and help to educate the ones they have":
- "... Imagine the relief if one could visit Africa and meet healthy, free and educated people like in our societies today?"[5]
[edit] Bibliography
Lama Ole Nydahl has written several books, which have all been translated into English, German, Russian, French, Spanish and Scandinavian and Eastern European languages.
Most popular titles:
- Nydahl, lama Ole. Ngondro: The Four Foundational Practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Blue Dolphin Publishing (1990). ISBN(13) 978-0931892233
- Nydahl, lama Ole. Riding the Tiger: Twenty Years on the Road - Risks and Joys of Bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West. Blue Dolphin Publishing (1992). ISBN(13) 978-0-931892-67-7
- Nydahl, lama Ole. Entering the Diamond Way: Tibetan Buddhism meets the West. Blue Dolphin Publishing (1999). ISBN(13) 978-0-931892-03-5
- Nydahl, lama Ole. The Great Seal: Limitless Space and Joy - The Mahamudra View of Diamond Way Buddhism. Fire Wheel Publishing (2004). ISBN(10) 0975295403
- Nydahl, lama Ole. The Way Things Are: A Living Approach to Buddhism. John Hunt Publishing (2007). ISBN(13) 978-1-84694-042-2
[edit] External links
- Personal web page, including teaching schedule
- Diamond Way Buddhism
- Parachute accident -- Asia Times Online
- Photographs of Lama Ole Nydahl Teaching
- www.karmapa-issue.org Homepage dedicated to document the ongoing conflict concerning the identity of the 17th Karmapa
[edit] References
- ^ A Letter from Shamar Rinpoche, [1]
- ^ a b c Oliver Freiberger, Department for the Study of Religion University of Bayreuth, Germany, in Inter-Buddhist and Inter-Religious Relations in the West see [2]
- ^ German Buddhist Union (DBU) Magazine Lotusblätter 13, no. 4, [1999], 64f.
- ^ Lotusblätter 14, no. 1, [2000], 56-61
- ^ a b Interview with Nydahl at [3]
- ^ Learning in a Total Way: Teacher - Student Relationship [4]
