Sixty-seven days, 8 countries, 20 Buddhist centers and 4 courses with Lama Ole Nydahl — our group with between 14 and 70 Diamond Way students traveled together through North, Central and South America. Fourteen lucky ones even managed to travel the whole way from Lake Geneva (USA) to the retreat center KDL (Uruguay).
The highlights were certainly the four Mahamudra courses with Lama Ole Nydahl. During these events, we could meet the local sanghas and get to know the various cultures — always in breathtaking surroundings. Between 200 and 600 Diamond Way students per course received the Mahamudra teachings of the Karma Kagyü Lineage, deepened their meditation and worked together to build up and run the courses.
Between the courses, our travel group visited centers and local sanghas of many countries. Travelling Teacher from Europe traveled as a part of us and gave panel lectures together with local traveling teachers on the way. This enriching input made time together even more meaningful and brought everybody and every moment back to the Diamond Way teachings. We as well as the local sanghas enjoyed the powerful energy of these days. The hosts always came up with many surprises to present their cultures and regional projects. Representing the international Diamond Way sangha, the whole group used the opportunity to connect, learn and meditate. One of the highlights was how the El Salvadorian sangha welcomed us with their pure open hearts.
We experienced everything together: from sharing the last coffee in the morning to jumping out of the same plane. In constantly changing conditions, we could grow and go beyond our personal limits in the finest company.
Traveling together to visit Buddhist places is an old tradition in the Karma Kagyu lineage, stemming back to the 3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339). Lama Ole Nydahl pointed out in Chicago that this kind of traveling is a great chance to grow, have new experiences and create new connections. In a mature and modern style, we keep up this tradition for the benefit of all.
