Ole Nydahl
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Ole-1-teaching.jpg
Ole Nydahl
Lama Ole Nydahl (born 1942 in Copenhagen, Denmark) is one of the first westerners qualified as a Lama and meditation instructor in the Karma Kagyu school, a major branch of one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. His first Lama was the Drukpa-master Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche. In December 1969, he and his wife, Hannah Nydahl, became the first western students of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, who was a renowned yogi and the head of the Karma Kagyu. The Karmapa had a profound influence on their lives and asked them to help bring Buddhism to the West. As a result Nydahl began to teach Buddhism and organize meditation centers, first in his native Denmark and then in Germany and other countries; the groups associated with Nydahl operate together under the title "Diamond Way Buddhism". Currently there are over 440 Diamond Way centers throughout the world, mainly in Europe, Russia and United States. Nydahl travels between them during the year giving lectures and meditation courses.
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Ole Nydahl is one of the most prominent supporters of Thaye Dorje in the controversy over the identity of the 17th Karmapa. It is largely through Nydahl's influence that Thaye Dorje is supported by many Karma Kagyu centers in the West, despite the fact that his rival, Urgyen Trinley Dorje, who is recognized by the Dalai Lama, is much better known among the general public.
Lama Ole is an enthusiastic skydiver and often uses parachuting metaphors in his teaching. However, in July 2003 on his eighty-eighth jump, he attempted to free-fall in a sitting position. Unfortunately his descent was too fast and this resulted in serious injuries to his legs.
External links
- personal web page (http://www.lama-ole-nydahl.org), including travel plan
- Diamond Way Buddhism (http://www.diamondway-buddhism.org)
- Parachute accident -- Asia Times Online (http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/EL25Ad05.html)
- critical information about Nydahl's Diamond Way Buddhism (http://members.psi.co.at/karma-kagyue/) (in German)de:Ole Nydahl