Diamond Way Buddhism
Diamond Way Buddhism is part of the thousand year old Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Founded in the 1970’s by the Danish Buddhist master, Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah Nydahl, they brought the essential teachings from the East to the West, on the request of their teacher, the 16th Karmapa. There are now over 700 Diamond Way centres worldwide.
Diamond Way Buddhism provides easy access to authentic Buddhist teachings and meditations for use in contemporary life. Following western culture and language, the methods are transparent and accessible. You can find everything you need at a local Diamond Way centre nearby.
The name Diamond Way comes from the sanskrit word Vajrayana – vajra is diamond and yana is way. They are said to be the Buddha’s highest teachings. They offer a direct, fast approach and are appealing more and more to educated and independent people around the world.
Heaven and hell happen in one’s own mind.
The correct understanding and application
of the Diamond Way makes beings great.
– Lama Ole Nydahl
Teachers
Lama Ole Nydahl is the main teacher. As the foremost western student of the 16th Karmapa, he was asked to take the teachings into the Western world. Since the 1970’s he has continued to connect with his students through public lectures and meditation courses held during the year around the world.
Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, and other accomplished Buddhist masters such as Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, are also invited to teach in programs that take place in various countries.
Lama Ole has also asked some of his more experienced students to give teachings on his behalf, allowing the fundamental topics of Buddhism to be taught regularly in the main centres.
Centres
The centres are the first point of contact for those wishing to meet Buddhist teachings. Here you can find out what meditation is, take part in one of the regular meditation sessions, or join in the frequent lectures offered. They are also a place where members deepen their friendship and support each other.
Run as non profit organisations, Diamond Way Centres rely on the generosity and surplus of their members. Every project and activity has an enthusiastic group of volunteers who keep everything functioning.
Tibetan Buddhism
Buddhism was founded in ancient India by Prince Siddhartha Gautama more than 2500 years ago. He became known as the Buddha, and gave three main levels of teachings: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. The first two traditions started to spread out across south and north Asia whilst Vajrayana remained in India. It took root in Tibet in the 8th century with the arrival of the legendary Padmasambhava.
Over time, four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism formed; Nyingmapa, Sakyapa, Karma Kagyu and Gelugpa. Each school has their own particular focus, however they all have the same goal – to enable one to reach a state of enlightenment. Today, with Tibet being under China’s control, Tibetan Buddhism has spread west and meditation is a common practice in the Western world.
Karma Kagyu Lineage
The Karma Kagyu lineage is part of an oral transmission of teachings passed on from teacher to student from the time of the Buddha, and is now held by the 17th Karmapa today. Placing special emphasis on meditation, and identification with the teacher, a full understanding of the nature of mind is realised.
The famous Indian meditation masters include Tilopa and Naropa, who in turn passed it on to the Tibetan lay yogi, Marpa, who travelled three times across the Himalayas into India to get the teachings. Milarepa, Gampopa and Rechungpa continued the transmission up to Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193).
Before he died he told his students: “In order to preserve and spread these teachings, I will reincarnate again.” Known as the 1st Karmapa, we now have the 17th Karmapa, Thaye Dorje. The lineage that began with Dusum Khyenpa is known as the Karma Kagyu lineage.
