Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche at the 2019 International Summer Course

Maniwa Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche arrived at the Europe Center on Thursday, August 8th and he gave an action-packed 3-day program to thousands of friends that joined the International Summer Course this year.

Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche is one of our great Karma Kagyu Lamas and one of the greatest Buddhist teachers we have in Diamond Way Buddhism. H.H. the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, ordained him as a monk, and H.H. 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, asked him to teach in the West.

Teachings on Guru Yoga

Sherab Gyaltsen started his program on Friday afternoon, August 9th, by giving us clear and precise teachings on Guru Yoga. It was a great afternoon full of teachings and we are incredibly thankful to Sherab Gyaltsen for taking the time to share his knowledge and wisdom.

Mahakala Empowerment

On Saturday morning, August 10th, Sherab Gyaltsen gave an empowerment into our main protector aspect, Black Coat (tib. Bernagchen, skt. Mahakala). Black Coat embodies the love and protective activity of the mind.

An empowerment or initiation by a realized teacher introduces the Buddhist practitioner to a certain Buddha aspect, passes on his blessing and, if desired, empowers him or her to meditate on this Buddha and his enlightened qualities.

Sherab Gyaltsen started the empowerment at 11 am in the main meditation tent and over 3,500 people from all over the world participated in this special event. He and Lama Ole gave a blessing to everyone that wished after the main part of the empowerment concluded.

Milarepa Empowerment

The following day, Sunday August 11th, Sherab Gyaltsen gave us an empowerment into the aspect of Milarepa. Milarepa was a great yogi of ancient Tibet, and is one of our main lineage teachers. Milarepa (1052-1135), was given the full transmission of all Mahamudra teachings from Naropa, Maitripa and other Indian masters by Marpa. Milarepa was Marpa’s main lineage holder.

He practiced these teachings for many years in isolated mountain retreats, and eventually, Milarepa attained enlightenment after purifying his extremely bad karma. Gampopa became Milarepa’s main lineage holder.

The empowerment was incredibly special to receive and we are very thankful to Sherab Gyaltsen and his entourage for joining us at the International Summer Course again this year. We hope to see him and everyone that joined very soon.

(Summer Course Blog Team)