The Maha-Parinirvana Anniversary of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa

On November 28th 1979, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Khyabdag Rigpe Dorje laid the ground for the construction of Karmapa International Buddhist Institute, southeast of New Delhi, in a ceremony attended by the President as well as the Prime Minister of India. The institute was envisioned as a centre for study, meditation, and translation.

On Nov 5th 1981, 11 am, at the American International Clinic in Zion near Chicago, Illinois, USA, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa passed into Maha-Parinirvana. His kudung (Holy body) was flown back to India, where the cremation ceremony took place at Rumtek monastery. The Four Heart Sons of His Holiness, a large number of Indian dignitaries and several thousand of his disciples from all over the world attended the service.

In 1990, following the vision of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, His Holiness the 14th Shamar Rinpoche established Karmapa International Buddhist Institute. Now-a-days, the institute runs under the auspices of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje.

On the Maha-Parinirvana anniversary of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, KIBI Sangha, staffs and students conducted the Guru Yoga of the 16th Karmapa, as well as the Guru Yoga of the 14th Shamarpa. Then, butter lamps were lit, accompanied by prayers that the Buddha Dharma as well as the Shamarnag may benefit sentient beings, helping all to swiftly enlighten.

May all sentient beings always be happy!

May there be no more battles and natural disasters, and may peace soon prevail on the earth.