Vajradhara-Ling
Encyclopedia
Vajradhara-Ling is a center affiliated to the Karma Kagyu
school of Tibetan Buddhism
located in France
in Normandy
nearby the city of Lisieux
.
in Paris, and both centers are linked to the 17th Karmapa
, Orgyen Trinley Dorje. It is said that, before his passing away, the 16th Karmapa
preview the construction of Vajradhara-Ling.
Vajradhara-Ling, meaning « The garden of Vajradhara Buddha », was inaugurated in 1982 by Kalu Rinpoche
, who entrusted the responsibility of the centre to his disciple, Lama Gyurme
.
The congregation Dashang Kagyu Vajradhara Ling is focusing on Buddhist prayers and practices. It is structured around a Temple, a stupa
, a prayer wheel
and a center of spiritual retreat. The prayer wheel contains 100 000 pages on which are printed mantras invocating Dorje Sempa, the Buddha of purification.
In 1987, Lama Gyurme initiated the construction of a stupa
, which site of construction was consecrated by Kalu Rinpoche and foundations were finished 2 years later. The stupa was dedicated to the memory of the 16th Karmapa
.
After its construction was completed, the stupa was consecrated by Taï Situ Rinpoche
July 15, 1997.
In 1999, the congregation received in donation a property situated 60 km away from the center; it is now named Mahamoudra-Ling and transformed in a retreat center for individuals wishing to practice for 6 months, 1 year or more.
The congregation also bears the project of constructing a Temple for Peace
of a size of 700 m2, a future place for teachings, interfaith
dialogue, cultural and scientific events, and will be dedicated to Peace
in the world. The cornerstone
of the building was laid on September 21, 2003 by Tenga Rinpoche
. Today, the Congregation continues to collect the funds necessary for the Temple for Peace
construction. In August 2008, during a visit in France, the 14th Dalai Lama
came to Vajradhara-Ling in particular to consecrate the place where the Temple will be constructed.
Karma Kagyu
Karma Kagyu , or Kamtsang Kagyu, is probably the largest and certainly the most widely practiced lineage within the Kagyu school, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The lineage has long-standing monasteries in Tibet, China, Russia, Mongolia, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, and current...
school of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
located in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
nearby the city of Lisieux
Lisieux
Lisieux is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.Lisieux is the capital of the Pays d'Auge area, which is characterised by valleys and hedged farmland...
.
History of the centre
Vajradhara-Ling is connected to Kagyu-DzongKagyu-Dzong
The Kagyu-Dzong center is a Buddhist center in Paris, affiliated to the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. This center is linked to the 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje...
in Paris, and both centers are linked to the 17th Karmapa
Karmapa
The Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu, the largest sub-school of the Kagyupa , itself one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism....
, Orgyen Trinley Dorje. It is said that, before his passing away, the 16th Karmapa
Rangjung Rigpe Dorje
The sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje was spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism...
preview the construction of Vajradhara-Ling.
Vajradhara-Ling, meaning « The garden of Vajradhara Buddha », was inaugurated in 1982 by Kalu Rinpoche
Kalu Rinpoche
Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche was a Buddhist meditation master, scholar and teacher. He was one of the first Tibetan masters to teach in the West.-Early life and teachers:...
, who entrusted the responsibility of the centre to his disciple, Lama Gyurme
Lama Gyurme
Lama Gyurme , or Lama Gyourmé, is a Buddhist Bhutanese monk and musician.He has lived in France since 1974, and he is the director of the Kagyu-Dzong center in Paris and, since 1982, the Vajradhara-Ling center in Normandy....
.
The congregation Dashang Kagyu Vajradhara Ling is focusing on Buddhist prayers and practices. It is structured around a Temple, a stupa
Stupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
, a prayer wheel
Prayer wheel
A prayer wheel is a cylindrical "wheel" on a spindle made from metal, wood, stone, leather or coarse cotton. Traditionally, the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheel. Also sometimes depicted are Dakinis, Protectors and very often the 8 auspicious symbols...
and a center of spiritual retreat. The prayer wheel contains 100 000 pages on which are printed mantras invocating Dorje Sempa, the Buddha of purification.
In 1987, Lama Gyurme initiated the construction of a stupa
Stupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
, which site of construction was consecrated by Kalu Rinpoche and foundations were finished 2 years later. The stupa was dedicated to the memory of the 16th Karmapa
Rangjung Rigpe Dorje
The sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje was spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism...
.
After its construction was completed, the stupa was consecrated by Taï Situ Rinpoche
Tai Situpa
In Tibetan Buddhism the Tai Situpa is one of the oldest lineages of tulkus in the Kagyu school. According to tradition, the Tai Situpa is an emanation of the bodhisattva Maitreya, who will become the next Buddha, and who has been incarnated as numerous Indian and Tibetan yogins since the time of...
July 15, 1997.
In 1999, the congregation received in donation a property situated 60 km away from the center; it is now named Mahamoudra-Ling and transformed in a retreat center for individuals wishing to practice for 6 months, 1 year or more.
The congregation also bears the project of constructing a Temple for Peace
Temple for Peace
The Temple for Peace is a construction project of the congregation Vajradhara-Ling in Normandy to promote world peace. If the cornerstone was laid in 2003, the construction started in 2010...
of a size of 700 m2, a future place for teachings, interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
dialogue, cultural and scientific events, and will be dedicated to Peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
in the world. The cornerstone
Cornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
of the building was laid on September 21, 2003 by Tenga Rinpoche
Tenga Rinpoche
Tenga Rinpoche is a Tibetan teacher in the Karma Kagyu tradition.Born in Kham in 1932, Tenga Rinpoche was recognized as a reincarnation of Lama Samten at the age of seven....
. Today, the Congregation continues to collect the funds necessary for the Temple for Peace
Temple for Peace
The Temple for Peace is a construction project of the congregation Vajradhara-Ling in Normandy to promote world peace. If the cornerstone was laid in 2003, the construction started in 2010...
construction. In August 2008, during a visit in France, the 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
came to Vajradhara-Ling in particular to consecrate the place where the Temple will be constructed.
See also
- Orgyen Trinley Dorje
- Kagyu-DzongKagyu-DzongThe Kagyu-Dzong center is a Buddhist center in Paris, affiliated to the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. This center is linked to the 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje...
- Temple for PeaceTemple for PeaceThe Temple for Peace is a construction project of the congregation Vajradhara-Ling in Normandy to promote world peace. If the cornerstone was laid in 2003, the construction started in 2010...
- List of Buddhist temples in France