HHGK

HHGK
"The world we live in is getting smaller and peoples actions have tremendous impact. In the era in wich we live people cannot get away with cllinging to their beliefs. I dont have any personal attachment or clinging to being a Buddhist. We need to step outside the boundaries of Buddhism and really go out and share the benefits of our Buddhist practise with the rest of the world. " / HHG Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Meeting with a Dharmic Heroine

This weekend I had the incredible opportunity to meet with a dharmic heroine! She has acted as an important anchor for the dharma to come alive in our snowy dark land of the north. Without her fearless progress the introduction of the Buddha Dharma to this soil had definitely slowed down and a few beautiful opportunities had been lost for ever.

She is one of those who greeted great Lamas upon arrival, made sure they had a place to stay and also planned ahead and organized for theyre longed for arrivals. She sat with the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa as he performed the black crown ceremony in Stockholm, for the first  time during his era. She was also one of the first in this country to meet His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche in his previous incarnation, and so enjoy the nectar of dharma flowing from these prominent masters in our native country. She is one of the key holders to have opened the door for the dharma to flourish in Sweden. Emaho!

Her depth, wittiness and sensitivity touched my heart. It was a joy and a true honor to make this connection. She is now 90 + and stays in bed most of the time, and with the earth as her witness she is living a life full to the brim of spirituality.

Meanwhile, the Dharma has almost fallen in to a sleeping beauty state for decades now in Scandinavia. If it wasnt for a few torch bearers that has kept the light burning this would be an even darker place then it already is. Once upon a time there was even a classical three year retreat held in Sweden. The few Swedish Lamas and senior dharma practitioners that are still around has scattered in to the shadows since long. One here. Two there. But the light I had the good fortune to receive through her clear blue eyes along with the connection that was made was sincere and delightful and full of strength. An important meeting between two different dharma generations has occurred.

I feel honored to have discovered some of the precious dharma jewels of Sweden, and to touch base with the pathways that they have already created. I feel humble before the possible prospect to follow in the footsteps of such pragmatic and fearless heroines and heroes. I bow down to the fact that decades of mouldered leaves cant hide the dharmic roots that once were planted in this northern mother soil, and I fold my hands with bursting joy for the sprouting new dharma buds that long to break free and embrace the whole space with theyre fresh petals. My heart is pounding in order to bridge an ocean of dharma activities in to the open fields of these native grounds and welcome a new spring for the Swedish Buddha Dharma.

Friends of all creeds and casts, when the women are on the move, no one can stop them!