Our Teachers – Buddhist Center Reykjavík

Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa

A fully enlightened master, the 16th Karmapa was the main teacher of Lama Ole and Hannah Nydahl. He represents the qualities of the Buddha himself in the Meditation on the 16th Karmapa, the main practice in Diamond Way centers.

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Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa

The oldest reincarnate lineage of Tibetan Buddhist masters is that of the Karmapas. The current 17th Karmapa, Thaye Dorje, is responsible for over 900 monasteries and Buddhist centers around the world, including Diamond Way centers.

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Lama Ole Nydahl

With his wife Hannah Nydahl, Lama Ole was given the task by his main teacher the 16th Karmapa to spread lay Karma Kagyu Buddhism in the West. Travelling constantly since the 1970s, he has founded over 650 Diamond Way Buddhist centers.

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Shamar Rinpoche

In the spiritual hierarchy of the Karma Kagyu school, the Shamarpa is second only to the Karmapa.

He is the emanation of Amitabha, the Buddha of Limitless Light: a living example of the appearance of Amitabha in our world in the form of a Mahabodhisattva.

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Lopön Tsechu Rinpoche

A key figure for Buddhism in Nepal, Lopön Tsechu Rinpoche had a huge influence in the West. He oversaw the construction of the largest Buddhist stupa in the West, and gave many teachings.

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Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche

Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche Mingyur Drakpa Senge was born in 1995 as the son of the most senior and great Karma Kagyu master Beru Khyentse Rinpoche.

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Jigme Rinpoche

Lama Jigme Rinpoche was born into the family of H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, as the brother of Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche. He received extensive teachings from the 16th Karmapa, who during his first visit in the West left him there as his representative.

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Nedo Kuchung Rinpoche

Nedo Kuchung Rinpoche (Nendo Rinpoche) is a widely recognized meditation master of the Karma Kagyu Lineage.

Born in 1962, he was recognized at the age of 10 by the head of the Karma Kagyu Lineage, H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa as the incarnation of the 5^th Nedo Rinpoche, Shedrub Nyedun Chokyi Sengge.

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Hannah Nydahl

Hannah Nydahl was a student of H.H. the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, the great Lopön Tsechu Rinpoche, and many other teachers. Together with her husband Lama Ole, she helped to bring the authentic teachings of the Karma Kagyu to the West.

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