On the 9th of August – under an unceasing shower of rain- we recieved the Gyalwa Karmapa, who first spent an extensive time in the Drubkhang with our ten 3- year- retreatants. They had an extensive exchange of questions and answers where Karmapa responded each time from his very vast wisdom and compassion. The practitioners were deeply touched by the profound simplicity of his answers and his capacity to point out the very essence of each issue with a few words.
Despite the ongoing heavy rain he did not hesitate to visit the new house, which was offered to him on this occasion. We all gathered there in the living room where he thanked us for our enthusastic effort and gave advice for the further development of the place and the community. At the end we recieved the short text transmission (lung) for the prayer of the Verses of the Eight Noble Auspicious Ones, which were composed by the first Mipham Rinpoche and are recited each morning before we start with the work. Before he left he also blessed the new retreat house of our droublas Stephane and Marlene.
Feeling very strengthened in our motivation to keep practising and building a community we thank the Gyalwa Karmapa very much!
P.S. On the same occasion we were happy to welcome Dorith and Pedro from the retreat center in Karma Guen, Spain for the first time in our center. After the visit of Gyalwa Karmapa they shared some stories and pictures of the early years of the Karmapa with us, which was very inspiring to listen to.
