In his welcome address to the participants of the 2025 Public teachings course at KIBI, Lama Jampa laid out the feast of Karma Kagyu dharma that was to come, as it included all aspects of the dharma.
His Holiness Karmapa taught from the Chapter on meditation from Shantideva’s brilliant exposition on the Mahayana path, The Bodhisattvacharyavatara. In the Q&A session, His Holiness clarified and expanded the audience’s understanding on a variety of points and explanations were given with his inimitable humour and compassion. All were encouraged to study and learn the Bodhisattvachayavatara which His Holiness explained would then become one’s best friend.
Lama Jampa continued to teach the Immaculate Rays of The Vajra Moon from the commentary by the First Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye. Lama Jampa spent the first two sessions recapping the material he taught last year, in order to provide a basis for those participants who were unfamiliar with the text. His detailed, precise teachings of this guide to the Zhentong view provided an invaluable structure and understanding for the deep Buddha nature teachings given by HE Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. In this way the Great Madhyamaka view was explained.
The vajrayana aspect of dharma was provided by the initiations of White Tara and Chenrezik bestowed by His Holiness.
Khenpo Lobsang presented teachings on logic and epistemology, explaining how to use valid cognition to assess objects through direct perception and inferential reasoning. Khenpo explained that direct cognition alone is insufficient to attain enlightenment and for this meditation is required.
Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche led the participants in a beautiful stainless mandala offering on the anniversary of the Paranirvana of Marpa.
During the week, KIBI also announced the launch of ‘ A Rain of Compassion’ a commentary written by Lama Jampa Thaye on the 5th Sharmapa’s Concise Lojong Manual, published by KIBI Publications and sold in the newly refurbished KIBI shop. Many participants took the opportunity to have their copies signed by Lama Jampa during the course.
Over 450 attendees from all over the world were present on the special occasion of KIBI’s 30th Anniversary.His Holiness was very happy that such wonderful teachers were able to attend and share their knowledge and wisdom with the students. His Holiness was especially appreciative of Lama Jampa sharing his knowledge of the Buddhadharma in his native English language. It was a wonderful week, which was pervaded by the deep blessings of the Karma Kagyu lineage.
