Lama Ole Nydahl
Basics
The Karma Kagyu lineage is one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
As a lineage of direct oral transmission, it especially treasures meditation and, through interaction with a qualified teacher, can bring about the full and direct experience of the nature of mind.
The Karma Kagyu methods were taught by the historical Buddha Shakyamuni to his closest students. These methods were later passed on through the Indian Mahasiddhas, Padmasambhava, Tilopa, Naropa, Maitripa, and the famous Tibetan yogis Marpa and Milarepa.
Lama Ole’s synthesis of modern style and ancient wisdom has demystified Buddhist teachings for thousands of students around the world. His approach is joyful and uncompromising. He is not always politically correct, but his motivation is clearly always for the benefit of others. He is unconventional but at the same time one of the most effective and influential Western teachers to emerge from the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
While on their honeymoon in 1968, Ole and his wife Hannah (1946-2007) met the 16th Karmapa, one of the greatest Buddhist Masters of the 20th century. Through the Karmapa’s influence, the young couple ended their wild ways, and were among his first western students.
After completing a rigorous three years of training in the Himalayas under the instruction of the 16th Karmapa and other realised teachers, the Karmapa asked them to travel and help bring Vajrayana (which translates as Diamond Way) Buddhist teachings to the West. With an increasing band of friends and helpers, they have travelled constantly since 1972 sharing the timeless Buddhist teachings on the nature of mind with idealistic Westerners.
Over the years, Lama Ole has established more than 600 lay (non-monastic) Diamond Way centres around the world, and 10 centres in Australia. Participants at these centres learn the Buddha’s teachings and practice meditations that are completely relevant to an active Western lifestyle.
Born in 1941, Lama Ole is a Danish Lama (Buddhist teacher) who rides motorbikes and skydives in his spare time. His colourful history includes time as a boxer, a smuggler as well as a university PhD student.
Lama Ole’s dynamic style is influenced by a keen interest in contemporary developments in science and world events, a practical sensibility and most importantly, a wish that the profound Buddhist path of the Diamond Way is made accessible to intelligent and critical western minds.
He delivers authentic Buddhist teachings with humour and a common-sense approach that belie the depth of the transmission he represents – it sounds so simple because it is, yet his words will resonate long after the ‘meeting of minds’ occurs.
Lama Ole also holds the transmission for a unique Vajrayana practice called Phowa (conscious dying). Since 1987 he has taught this profound practice to over 50,000 people in retreats around the world.
Lama Ole has given numerous print, television and radio interviews and is the author of several books, which have been translated into many languages.
See http://diamondway.org.au/ for more information and Lama Ole's Australian teaching schedule.
