Non-Silk Road.

Twice a year Ole performs world travel- tells the world about the essence of Buddhism, how to solve not only personal problems, but even geopolitical ones. Nydahl shared his thoughts with the readers of Vesti Segodnya.

Ole, against the background of all the Buddhist teachers who come to Latvia quite often, you are, to put it mildly, very different: you jump with a parachute, like to ride a motorcycle at breakneck speed, organize discos with students…

Well, first of all, I'm Danish. And the Danes in general seem to many strange people! Ole laughs. - Secondly, I'm not a monk, so I can afford some liberties. And why, one wonders, can’t I, a lama, do long parachute jumps (I have about a hundred of them), ride a motorcycle in my spare time from lectures, and finally, dance in a circle of people close to me, or at the request of the International Olympic Committee on behalf of the Buddhists moral support to the athletes on Olympic Games- 2004 in Athens? What's bad about it? It doesn't interfere with my faith. In addition, when I was studying in the Himalayas, the great lamas and yogis said: the main thing, Ole, is to be flexible in any situation. By the way, light extreme for me is not an eccentricity, but one of effective methods recognition of the mind and the disclosure of its potential, which leads to the achievement of Enlightenment - the ultimate goal of Buddhist teachings. As for Buddhism in general...

It can be said that it begins where people have self-control and an excess of power, where you feel that the space is full of bliss and does not threaten anyone. Until then, self-confidence is just words! The Teaching, starting from this level of self-control, develops courage, joy and love - the innate wealth of the mind, which people, chasing momentary values, simply forget about.

After the tsunami in Southeast Asia, you, as a representative of world Buddhism, were approached by the leadership of the BBC television channel with a request to comment on the causes of the mass death of people ...

Tsunami is a response to humanity for its activities. The evil thoughts of people, their cruelty towards nature, politics, wars - nothing is in vain. Everything has to be paid for at some point. And the price is sometimes high... And now two problems are especially urgent in the world: the expansion of the aggressive currents of Islam and overpopulation. If fewer children were born in poor parts of the world and they had enough food and confidence in tomorrow, then, perhaps, such militant currents in Islam would not have appeared, people would not have had to take up arms for the sake of life and freedom.

You were the only lama who, again on behalf of world Buddhism, was the first to condemn the American invasion of Afghanistan and the war unleashed by George W. Bush in Iraq. What price will people have to pay for this?

The Americans following Bush are extremely stupid, because they have soiled their hands in mud and blood so that it will no longer be possible to wash the negative karma from their souls (or it will be very difficult to do so). These wars cannot even be morally justified! After all, the Americans will not be able to change the thinking of Muslims, the occupying troops will remain enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan. And the enemy is killed... It is better not to go into the Islamic world at all, because you get only bad karma from this.

Many now call Bush terrorist No. 1 ...

I do not agree, and those who say so simply do not know the situation ... After all, on September 11, 2001, America was, in fact, attacked.

There is an opinion that the United States itself provoked the attacks, pursuing such a policy and forcing the whole world to work for itself.

After all, I am not a political analyst, but a lama, but I think that the United States has been and is behaving extremely stupidly. And the war they unleashed is actually in some ways even more dangerous than World War II. After all, everything has already moved to the level of global religious confrontation…

Soon a NATO summit will be held in Riga, and recently you said: it is high time to accept Russia into the alliance!

This would be the most right decision which will help both Russia and all NATO countries! In general, I would recommend that all heads of state and politicians listen more often to the wisdom of Buddhism, get rid of aggression and bring light to their peoples.

As a rule, very strong Buddhist teachers come to Latvia, because they believe that this land and people need urgent help. Here you are...

If great teachers come to Latvia, it means that they need it, or rather, it is necessary for those to whom they come. I visit Latvia with great joy, because I have students here who want to meditate and learn Buddhism. I think that the place where people strive for knowledge and enlightenment becomes holy over time, it is cleared of negativity and gets rid of the gloomy aura. Finally, when people begin to feel that they live in a clean place, they contribute even more actively to the general enlightenment with their joy. And this world starts to glow!

After all, what is Buddhism? The Buddha himself used best description. During the 1500 years of the existence of the teaching in India it was called Dharma, and in the next 1000 years in Tibet it was called Che. Both names mean "what things really are". And realizing this is the key to all kinds of happiness. The Buddha himself is a teacher, example, protector and friend. Through it, beings can avoid suffering and enter a state of increasing bliss, while liberating and bringing enlightenment to others. I want to wish the people of Latvia: notice the great wealth that is around you, the beauty of nature and good people. The main thing is to work with your mind, and then you will really understand that we ourselves are creating this

Also known as Lama Ole (Tibetan name - Karma Lodi Chjamtso), who conveys the teachings of the Karma Kagyu school in an adapted Western world view - " learned people complicate simple things, and yogis simplify complex things. "He founded more than 550 Diamond Way Buddhist Centers (eng.) Russian. around the world. Karma Kagyu is a sub-school of Kagyu - one of the four largest Vajrayana schools of Tibetan Buddhism, Diamond Way centers are also recognized belonging to the Kagyu school in a certain part of the Lam Karma Kagyu.Since the early 1970s, Ole Nydahl has been traveling, giving lectures, courses and founding “Diamond Way Buddhist centers.” He has more than 10,000 students, including more than 2,000 in Russia.

Ole Nydahl grew up in Denmark. From 1960 to 1969 he studied at the University of Copenhagen, and for several semesters in Tübingen and Munich in Germany. Main subjects: philosophy, English and German.

Ole Nydahl hosted Active participation in the spiritual search of hippies - including with the help of drugs, having problems with health and the law. The continuation of spiritual searches was a trip to the Himalayas.

In 1961 he met his future wife Hanna. After the wedding in 1968, they went on a honeymoon trip to Nepal, where they met their first Buddhist teacher, Lopen Tsechu Rinpoche, the Lama of the Drukpa Kagyu school. On their next trip, they meet and become the first Western students of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, head of the Karma Kagyu school.

Ole and Hanna Nydahl became close students of the 16th Karmapa. At the same time, they met other Kagyu teachers such as Kalu Rinpoche, Kunzig Shamarpa, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Situ Rinpoche and others. Both also become students of Lopen Tsechu Rinpoche and Kunzig Shamarpa.

Ole and Hanna Nydahl received traditional Buddhist education under Kalu Rinpoche. Being close students of the 16th Karmapa, they also received many teachings, empowerments and informal transmissions.

According to Kyuzig Shamar Rinpoche and Khenpo Chodrag, speaking on behalf of the Buddhist institutions of the Gyalwa Karmapa, and the Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje himself, Ole Nydahl is recognized as a teacher of Diamond Way Buddhism (Vajrayana) within one of the parts of the Karma Kagyu school.

Diamond Way Centers

According to many accounts, he was commissioned by the 16th Karmapa to establish Karma Kagyu centers in the west. More about this can be found in a letter from Khenpo Chodrag.

Since 1973, Ole Nydahl has been traveling giving lectures. Soon the first meditation center in Copenhagen was formed, which was subsequently visited by the Fourteenth Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso. In 1974, 1976, 1977 and 1980 the 16th Karmapa visited centers in Europe and the USA. In January 2000, the first trip of the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje to the European centers founded by Lama Ole Nydahl took place.

The centers founded by Ole Nydahl are called the Karma Kagyu Diamond Way Centers. The Diamond Way is a Sanskrit translation of the term Vajrayana.

Since the 1970s, Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah have founded over 600 Buddhist meditation groups in Central and Western Europe, Asia, America, Australia and South Africa. Ole Nydahl prefers not to lecture or open Diamond Way meditation centers in predominantly Muslim countries. In his opinion, he would not have been able to effectively protect his students in these countries in the event of harassment - even in those countries of the Middle East and North Africa where there is no oppression and other Buddhist centers coexist with Islam. Thus, despite the existence of Buddhist centers in the "Islamic world", Ole Nydahl argues that opening centers there would be an irresponsible move on his part. The exceptions are the traditionally Muslim republics of the Russian Federation (for example, Bashkortostan) and former USSR(Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan), where there are groups that have received the blessing of Lama Ole Nydahl.

There are 73 centers and meditation groups in Russia, opened with the blessing of Lama Ole Nydahl.

Teaching activity

Ole Nydahl constantly travels around various countries, teaching his students, as well as people interested in Buddhism. The purpose of Ole Nydahl's courses on various topics, such as Mahamudra (Great Seal) - to promote a deeper understanding of Diamond Way Buddhism.

Since 1978, Ole Nydahl has written several books on Buddhism, some of them autobiographical. Some of his books have also been published in Russian. Ole Nydahl does not recommend reading texts on the subject of Vajrayana from other Vajrayana schools for people who are starting to practice. He explains this by saying that it is better to understand one thing well than to get confused about many things. AT different schools similar terms are used in different meanings which sometimes escapes the attention of beginner Buddhists.

Ole Nydahl's students are, without exception, lay people who live mostly in Western culture. Monastic Buddhist education with the adoption of a vow of celibacy, according to Ole Nydahl, does not fit the way of life in Western society.

Ole Nydahl supports Trinley Thaye Dorje on the issue of recognition of the 17th Karmapa.

Karma Kagyu in Russia today

Most of the Karma Kagyu communities currently in Russia and other CIS countries were founded by Lama Ole Nydahl. His status is a teacher of the Karma Kagyu tradition, who received the right to do so from the head of the school of the Sixteenth Karmapa, who left in 1981. The first of the Karma Kagyu communities in Russia appeared in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) in 1989.

The current European and Russian centers of Karma Kagyu, as well as other Buddhist centers of Sakya, Nyingma, also existing in Russia (with the exception of the traditional Gelug school for Russia), are very different in style from the school that arose in the 11th-12th centuries. in Tibet. But this is natural, because any religious organization, wherever and whenever it arises, having fallen into another cultural space, will adapt to it, otherwise it will be doomed to extinction. European and Russian centers Karma Kagyu focused on small groups of secular followers this direction of Buddhism, to engage in the practice of Buddhist meditation, mastering Buddhist theory as needed, not connected either with going into monasticism (hermitage), or with renunciation of one's civic duties. This is a natural and calm form of seeking religious truth within Buddhism.

The embarrassment about the practice of Buddhism by a layman and the belittling of this kind against monasticism (hermitage) have a stereotypical basis that supposedly a Buddhist is only one who is a monk. In the history of Buddhism there is also a place for secular Buddhism, for example, thanks to it, Buddhism was able not to disappear in view of the Islamization of India. Lay Buddhism on the practical side has no contradictions with the teaching, which claims that there are many types of mind and, accordingly, many approaches to working with this mind, one of which is lay Buddhism. Some people think that in order to become a Buddhist, you need to become a monk or go into seclusion, which is a big misconception, since you can work with the mind without a monk's dress, sitting at home, and not in a cave, meditating. This is one of the indicators of a logical approach to everything in Buddhism, because you can be a doctor without a bathrobe, this requires knowledge and experience, the same is true in Karma Kagyu - knowledge and experience are needed. This is where the seeming freedom of worldly Buddhism ends, because the layman, just like the monk, must do the practice given to him by the teacher, otherwise he will not achieve the goal of recognizing the nature of the mind. In Karma Kagyu stands out special place for the teacher, he is the main figure, thanks to his experience, the practitioner can quickly follow the path of development, using the quality of the mind - identification. You also need to remember that the entire Buddhist pantheon has nothing to do with the pantheon of saints in other religions, since in Buddhism the main driving force development is the mind of an individual who has embarked on the path of Buddhism, who practices (develops) or does not practice (does not develop). This conclusion is directly related to the law of cause and effect (one of key concepts in Buddhism). If we talk about "Saints", then you need to understand that they indicate the enlightened qualities of your mind and help with their blessings, not because of their divine grace, but because of their enlightened mood, which by definition causes a desire to help all beings as equals.

Disagreements

Ole Nydahl is one of Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje's supporters on the issue of identifying the 17th Karmapa. According to the position of Ole Nydahl and the second most important lama in the Karma Kagyu school, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, the Dalai Lama is not authorized to recognize (and never participated in recognizing) the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The 14th Dalai Lama confirmed the recognition of Urgyen Trinley Dorje as Karmapa at the request of Situ Rinpoche and Gyaltsab Rinpoche.

Criticism

Oliver Freiberger, a research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, points out that there is "an ongoing controversy" regarding Ole Nydahl. Freiberger reports that the Lotusblätter magazine of the German Buddhist Union states that Nydahl's statements and activities offend some German Buddhists who believe that his behavior is not befitting of a Buddhist teacher. “Nydahl is accused not only of self-assured and militaristic speeches, but also of being right-wing, racist, sexist and hostile to foreigners. His unusual activities (e.g. bungee jumping, parachuting, riding high-speed motorcycles) also irritate Buddhists who are not his students - regardless of whether they belong to the Karma Kagyu school. Ole Nydahl evokes the same attitude among a number of Russian Buddhists who are not his students.

Martin Baumann, a professor at the University of Bern (Switzerland), noted in an interview in 2005 that critics accuse Ole Nydahl of teaching "Buddhism-light" or "instant Buddhism" and that he agrees with this when he hears some of Nydahl's "suspiciously superficial phrases" .

In Buddhism, it is forbidden to kill living beings, but Ole Nydahl allows abortions prescribed for medical reasons to save the life of the mother or associated with defects in the development of the fetus. When asked about the dangers of abortion, he answers the following: “There are many families who would like to have children, but cannot have them. If the child is clearly defective, ask the doctor what he thinks. But if the child is clearly healthy, then do not kill him, give him to someone who clearly wants a child.

Ole Nydahl's position towards Islam

Ole Nydahl's position in relation to Islam and Muslims sometimes surprises the audience and critics, he makes politically incorrect statements, which were also regarded by critics as racist and xenophobic.

In one published interview, he stated: “I have two fears for the world: overpopulation and Islam. These two things could destroy a world that might otherwise be a great place." He explains that "men who repress women are more likely to become repressed women in their next life."

Ole Nidal

Ole Nidal(born March 19, 1941), according to the assessments of His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche and Khenpo Chedrag, speaking on behalf of the Buddhist institutions of the Gyalwa Karmapa, is a teacher of Diamond Way Buddhism, a Lama. layers from the essence of Buddhist teachings. The Karma Kagyu is a sub-school of the Kagyu, one of the four major Vajrayana schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Since the early 1970s, Ole Nydahl has been traveling, giving lectures, courses, and founding "Diamond Way Buddhist Centers".

Study and Encounter with Buddhism

In 1961 he met his future wife Hannah. After the wedding in 1968, they go on a honeymoon trip to Nepal, where they meet their first Buddhist teacher, Lopen Tsechu Rinpoche, the Lama of the Drukpa Kagyu school. On their next trip, they meet and become the first Western students of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, head of the Karma Kagyu school.

Ole and Hanna Nydahl become close students of the 16th Karmapa. At the same time, they get to know other Kagyu teachers such as Kalu Rinpoche, Kunzig Shamarpa, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Situ Rinpoche and others. Both also became students of Lopen Tsechu Rinpoche and Kunzig Shamarpa. Ole and Hanna Nydahl received traditional Buddhist education under Kalu Rinpoche. Being close disciples of the 16th Karmapa, they also received many teachings, empowerments and informal transmissions.

Title "Lama"

In Buddhist circles, there are doubts about the justification for using the Tibetan title "Lama" for Ole Nydahl. Ole Nydahl did not practice the traditionally required source? for Lama 3-year retreat. [ http://www.dharmawiki.ru/index.php/Karma_Chochog Khenpo Karma Chochog Gawa Dorje] comments on this thesis as follows: ""Lama" is just a name for a teacher, spiritual teacher, in Sanskrit - Guru. The tradition of retreats for three years and three months came later, much later than the word "Lama" for a spiritual teacher. There are many Lamas who have not gone through the three-year retreat.”

Some critics also point out that Ole Nydahl's clear and unequivocal political position on a number of issues does not fit the image of a Buddhist Master.source? It is also mentioned that during the lifetime of the EC, the 16th Karmapa, the “root” Buddhist teacher Ole Nydahl, did not publicly call him Lama.

However, despite the above doubts and discussions, according to His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche - the second Lama in the hierarchy of the Karma Kagyu school - and according to the conclusion of Khenpo Chodrag, Ole Nydahl is a qualified Buddhist teacher, Lama. Shamar Rinpoche mentions Ole Nydahl as a "Buddhist master" who "transmits the blessings and teachings of the Kagyu lineage" (1983) document 2 on Ole Nydahl's website [ ]] and points out that it is "quite appropriate" for him to "hold the title of lama" (2006) paper 3 on Ole Nydahl's website [ http://www.lama-ole-nydahl.org/olesite/pages/person/dokuments.html]]. On the official website of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje [ cite web

url=http://www.karmapa-news.org/

title = Karmapa News

lang = en

accessdate=11-06-2008] Ole Nydahl is referred to as Lama in all publications. Gyalwa Karmapa also refers to him at all meetings.

Diamond Way Centers

Ole Nydahl himself and Khenpo Chodrag report that he was commissioned by the 16th Karmapa to establish Karma Kagyu centers in the west. Document 1 on Ole Nydahl's website [ http://www.lama-ole-nydahl.org/olesite/pages/person/dokuments.html], ([http://www.buddhism.ru/teachers/ole.php Russian translation])] Since 1973 he has been traveling giving lectures. Soon the first meditation center in Copenhagen was formed, which was subsequently visited by the Fourteenth Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso. In 1974, 1976, 1977 and 1980 the 16th Karmapa visited centers in Europe and the USA. In January 2000, the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje made his first trip to the European centers founded by Ole Nydahl.

The centers founded by Ole Nydahl are called the Karma Kagyu Diamond Way Centers. The Diamond Way is a Sanskrit translation of the term Vajrayana.

Since the 1970s, Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah have founded over 500 Buddhist meditation groups in Central and Western Europe, Asia, America, Australia and South Africa. Ole Nydahl prefers not to lecture or open Diamond Way meditation centers in predominantly Muslim countries. In his opinion, he would not have been able to effectively protect his students in these countries in the event of harassment - even in those countries of the Middle East and North Africa where there is no harassment and other Buddhist centers coexist with Islam [ List of Buddhist groups in the Middle East and North Africa [http://board.buddhist.ru/showthread.php?t=10932]]. Thus, despite the existence of Buddhist centers in the "Islamic world", Ole Nydahl argues that opening centers there would be an irresponsible move on his part. The exceptions seem to be the traditionally Muslim republics of the Russian Federation and the former USSR: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Bashkortostan, where there are groups that have received the blessing of Ole Nydahl.

There are 62 centers and meditation groups in Russia, opened with the blessing of Ole Nydahl.

Teaching activity

Ole Nydahl constantly travels to various countries, teaching his students, as well as people who are interested in Buddhism. The purpose of Ole Nydahl's courses on various topics such as Mahamudra (Great Seal) [ The root text is the Mahamudra of the Third Karmapa Ranjung Dorje, commentary by Ole Nydahl. ISBN 5-94303-002-6] - contribute to a deeper understanding of Diamond Way Buddhism.

Since 1978, Ole Nydahl has written several books on Buddhism, some of them autobiographical. Some of his books have also been published in Russian. Ole Nydahl does not recommend reading texts on the topic of Vajrayana by other Lamas (both other schools of Vajrayana and within the texts of the Karma Kagyu school) for people who are starting to practice. He explains this by saying that it is better to understand one thing well than to get confused about many things. In different schools, such terms are used in different senses, which sometimes escapes the attention of beginner Buddhists.

Ole Nydahl's students are, without exception, lay people who live mostly in Western culture. Traditional Buddhist education with the adoption of a vow of celibacy, according to Ole Nydahl, is more suitable for life in a monastery, but not for the way of life in Western society.

Ole Nydahl supports Trinley Thaye Dorje on the issue of recognition of the 17th Karmapa.

Criticism

Ole Nydahl is one of Karmapa Thaye Dorje's supporters on the controversial issue of identifying the 17th Karmapa. According to the position of Ole Nydahl and the second most important lama in the Karma Kagyu school, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, the Dalai Lama is not authorized to recognize (and has never previously participated in recognizing) the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Testimony of Professor Jeffrey Brian Samuel, Lama vs. Hope and Ors, CIV-2004-404-001363, Supreme Court New Zealand (Auckland), November 11, 2004, given in a dispute over the ownership of a property used as a Karma Kagyu Buddhist center. (denies the claim that there are historical precedents for the recognition of the Karmapa by the Dalai Lama) [ http://www.karmapa.org.nz/articles/2005/geoffreysamuel.pdf]] Judgment of the Court, Lama vs. Hope and Ors, CIV-2004-404-001363, New Zealand Supreme Court (Auckland), March 10, 2005. The case was decided in favor of the plaintiff, Beru Khyentse Rinpoche, based on the testimony of Geoffrey Samuel (see above [ http://www.rigpedorje.com/court/lamavhope.pdf]] The 14th Dalai Lama confirmed the recognition of Urgyen Trinley Dorje as Karmapa at the request of Situ Rinpoche and Gyaltsab Rinpoche. [ Ken Jolmes, Karmapa, p. 56, ISBN 3-89568-027-3]

Oliver Freiberger, Research Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, [ [ http://www.utexas.edu/research/eureka/faculty/view.php?pid=2284 EUREKA | faculty | Oliver Freiberger]] indicates that there is a "constant controversy" by Oliver Freiberger, Department of Religious Studies, University of Bayreuth, Germany, in "Inter-Buddhist and Inter-Religious Relations", see [ http://www.globalbuddhism.org/2/freiberger011.html]] regarding Ole Nydahl. Freiberger reports that the Lotusblatter magazine of the German Buddhist Union claims that Nydahl's statements and activities offend some German Buddhists who feel that his behavior is not befitting of a Buddhist teacher. “Nydahl is accused not only of self-confident and militaristic speeches, but also of being right-wing, racist, sexist and hostile to foreigners. His unusual activities (e.g. bungee jumping, parachuting, riding high-speed motorcycles) also irritate Buddhists who are not his students - regardless of whether they belong to the Karma Kagyu school. [ German Buddhist Union (DBU) Magazine Lotusblätter 13, no. 4, , 64f.] [Lotusblätter 14, no. 1, , 56-61] Ole Nydahl evokes the same attitude among a number of Russian Buddhists who are not his students.

Martin Baumann, professor at the University of Bern (Switzerland), remarked in an interview (2005) that critics accuse Ole Nydahl of teaching "Buddhism-light" or "quickly dissolving Buddhism" and that he agrees with this when he hears some "suspiciously superficial phrases" Nidal. Baumann, Martin 2005: Interview "Neue Luzerner Zeitung", 04/11/2005, [ http://www.religionenlu.ch/pdf/2005-11-04.pdf "Eine Art Buddhismus Light?"]].

In Buddhism, it is forbidden to kill living beings, however, Ole Nydahl allows abortion if it is prescribed for medical reasons to save the life of the mother or is associated with defects in the development of the fetus. When asked about the dangers of abortion, he answers the following: “There are many families who would like to have children, but cannot have them. If the child is clearly defective, ask the doctor what he thinks. But if the child is clearly healthy, then do not kill him, give him to someone who clearly wants a child. [ Olga Zayets. Article based on lecture materials by Ole Nydahl (2000, Russia) [http://religion.ng.ru/facts/2000-02-09/2_nidal.html]]

Criticism of the courses

Despite Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche and Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje's support for Ole Nydahl's activism, some observers source? note the differences in the style and practice of Ole Nydahl from the traditional ones:

* Ole Nydahl's Course does not include Mahamudra itself (including initiation and related practice), but only lectures are given commenting on the poetic description of Mahamudra compiled by the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje.

* In 1972, Ole Nydahl received the transmission of the Phowa practice from Lama Ayang Rinpoche of the Drikung Kagyu school. Ole taught the first course of Phowa in 1987. Ole Nydahl conducts Phowa courses, different from the one he received from Lama Ayang Rinpoche (traditionally, the practice of Phowa is associated with a vow to practice Phowa 2 times a month and Tsog Amitabha or Milarepa 1 time per year, which Ole Nydahl does not say). Ole Nydahl explains that he stopped using the transmission he received from Ayang Rinpoche because in 1983 the latter took a different political position from that of Kunzig Shamarpa. After that, Ole Nydahl gave up the Phowa lineage received from Ayang Rinpoche and received Phowa practice through the Nyingma lineage from Lama Teng Rinpoche.

* Ole Nydahl began to organize three-day seminars on the practice of Phowa, simplifying traditional forms(without requiring the corresponding tantric initiation and vows, limited to three days instead of the traditional seven). The correctness of this simplification has caused controversy in Buddhist circles.

Ole Nydahl's position towards Islam

The position of Ole Nydahl in relation to Islam and Muslims is subjected to serious criticism; he repeatedly made politically incorrect statements, which were also regarded by criticism as racist and xenophobic [ Lotusblätter 13, no. 4, , 64f., and Lotusblätter 14, no. 1, , 56-61)].

Here are some examples of such statements by Ole Nydahl:

* In one published interview, he stated “I have two fears for the world: overpopulation and Islam. These two things could destroy a world that might otherwise be a great place." He explains that "men who repress women are more likely to become repressed women in their next life" [ Duh?rov?, Bibi?na.[ http://www.praguepost.com/articles/2007/07/11/ace-of-diamonds.php Ace of Diamonds: A conversation with Lama Ole Nydahl] in "The Prague Post", July 11, 2007.].

* “And also, I think they need to make it so that some Arabs will live with each other as well, who do not like each other, it is very simple. So that they fought with each other all the time ... "[ ]

* “Question: – Countries with bad karma?

*: Answer (Ole Nydahl): – Africa and Muslim countries everyone is unhappy there. Also, if you look at all the Muslim republics, there is a lot of anger there. It's just the kind of faith that keeps people angry and makes them fight. There is also very bad karma in Africa. Everywhere. A quarter or twenty-three percent of all black men between the ages of 20 and 30 are now in prison." [ Ole Nidal. Questions and answers on Phowe July 7-8, 1992 [http://praktika.narod.ru/budd/book/nidal-phowa92.htm]]

* “In fact, all races in the world have been above and below, except for the Slavs. All. At first it was all southern countries. First Africa, then China, then many other places, then it was the Romans, now the Germans. But we are already in decline. We fill our cities with people who do not belong to our culture... When German culture falls, the only race in the world that has not yet been on the rise is the Slavs. It is you. Your a big problem that you are aggressive towards yourself. You are always hitting yourself." [ Ole Nidal. Questions and answers on Phowe July 7-8, 1992 [http://praktika.narod.ru/budd/book/nidal-phowa92.htm]]

: "I think you will be smart enough to create strong connection with Europe and cut off the Muslim republics ... "[ Ole Nidal. Questions and answers on Phowe July 7-8, 1992 [http://praktika.narod.ru/budd/book/nidal-phowa92.htm]]

Responses to criticism

Regarding his anti-Islamic position, Ole Nydahl says that his position is the personal opinion of an experienced, well-traveled person, and has no direct relation to Buddhist teachings. Ole Nydahl explains what he uses criticisms in relation to Islam also as an upaya to test students for the ability to think independently.

When asked whether it is the task of a Buddhist teacher to discuss social and political issues, Ole Nydahl replies: “... If people who can see the future do not speak, then they are irresponsible. I always say "I don't need to be popular, but I seem to be right." Interview with Ole Nydahl [ http://www.diamondway-teachings.org/content/olenydahl/text/bt4ole.html]]: “… The teacher should do what he says. It should also not simply avoid controversial topics, but point to the causes of future troubles, such as overcrowding in ghettos and poor countries and the rise of Islam. If a teacher talks sweet nonsense all the time, then he is not protecting his students. He must be prepared to offend some. This is his responsibility." [ Learning in a Total Way: Teacher – Student Relationship [http://www.lama-ole-nydahl.org/olesite/pages/dway/teacherstudent.html] ]

Supporters of Ole Nydahl point out that he often says: “the best approach to world problems is to pay poor families, especially women, so that they do not have more than 1-2 children and help them educate these children”:: “… Imagine what a relief it is when you can go to Africa and meet healthy, free and educated people like in our current societies?"

In response to criticism of the superficiality of the teachings, Ole Nydahl says: “Learned people make simple things difficult, and yogis make difficult things simple” (Oral Teachings, Hamburg (Germany) December 29, 2007).

title = A modern introduction to the teachings of the Buddha. How everything is

original = Wie die Dinge sind. Eine zeitgem??e Einf?hrung in die Lehre Buddhas

edition = 1st edition

place = St. Petersburg.

publisher = Peter

pages = 160

title = Fundamental Exercises

edition =

place = St. Petersburg.

publisher = Diamond Way

pages = 176

title = Six liberating actions

original = The Six Liberating Actions

edition =

place = St. Petersburg.

publisher = Diamond Way

pages = 32

title = Great Seal. Space and joy are limitless. Mahamudra view of Diamond Way Buddhism

original = The Great Seal. Limitless Space and Joy. The Mahamudra View of Diamond Way Buddhism

edition = 3rd edition

place = St. Petersburg.

publisher = Diamond Way

pages = 248

title = Opening the Diamond Way

original = Entering the Diamond Way

edition = 4th edition

place = St. Petersburg.

publisher = Diamond Way

pages = 296

title = Riding the Tiger

edition =

place = St. Petersburg.

publisher = Diamond Way

pages = 494

* [http://www.lama-ole-nydahl.org Personal website]ref-en

* [http://www.buddhism.ru/ Diamond Way Buddhism]

* [http://www.diamondway-buddhism.org/ Diamond Way Buddhism]

Lama Ole Nidal.

The spiritual leader of European Buddhism, Lama OLE NIDAL: “I don’t understand why the Russian Orthodox Church such pronounced paranoia towards other religions"

Information from “Portal-Credo.Ru”: Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hanna became the first western disciples of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. In the late 60s, during their honeymoon in Nepal, they met the “king” of Tibetan yogis, the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. This meeting radically changed his life. After several years of study in the Himalayas, on behalf of the Karmapa, Ole and Hanna began to establish meditation centers around the world, introducing Vajrayana Buddhism to the West.

Portal-Credo.Ru: How would you comment on the growing popularity of Buddhism in modern world, including in Russia, and Buddhism in your modern interpretation, which differs from traditional or ethnic Buddhism, which is common, for example, in Tuva, Buryatia, Kalmykia?

Lama Ole Nydahl: First of all, it's not modern buddhism. This Buddhism has always been practiced. It's just not monastic Buddhism, but the practice of both laymen and yogis.

I did not invent anything, did not change anything, but simply brought to the West that tradition that many people did not know about, which my own yoga teachers taught me. It is suitable family people, as well as those who prefer to meditate without becoming monks. I mean people who prefer to meditate without being bound by many external vows, like monks and nuns.

But I assure you that I did not invent anything. I wouldn't dare to do it.

– Do you want to say that authentic Tibetan Buddhism is preached by you?

– Yes, this is authentic Tibetan Buddhism for laymen and yogis, but not for monks and nuns.

– What is your relationship with the government of Tibet in exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, your followers - with his followers?

“I managed to help the Dalai Lama several times. In turn, he dedicated our center in Copenhagen in 1973. When we meet, the Dalai Lama usually hugs me and calls me his old friend. He also clearly shows that he knows about my activities. We currently have different political views.

The Dalai Lama needs to be able to talk to the Chinese because he wants to go back to Tibet no matter what. Therefore, he has to accept those who are recognized and accepted by the Chinese authorities.

I am primarily responsible to my teacher, the 16th Karmapa, who is now in his 17th incarnation. There is also a Chinese candidate for the role of the current incarnation of the Karmapa, but of course we support the Tibetan candidate.

- What, in your opinion, are the prospects for Tibet to gain freedom, independence, restore its unique culture, and for the Dalai Lama to return there, as he recently wished?

“All the cultural aspects of Tibetan Buddhism cannot survive today. Hats, robes, social practices - that's over. Philosophy, psychology, knowledge about the mind still exist. But today there is more of this in the West than in Tibet or among the Tibetans. It is difficult for them to separate the cultural aspects from the truly spiritually important, and in the West we see this more clearly. Therefore, today it is possible to receive more advanced teachings from Western Buddhist teachers without any external cultural overlays.

– What is your opinion about freedom of conscience, freedom of religion in Russia, about the growing influence of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (ROC MP) and the position of Buddhism in Russia in this regard?

I think most people in a country where it's hard to live want a God to tell them what to do. I believe that for many more years the majority of Russians will be Christians, because this is the tradition, and their Christian God tells them what to do. But what I don't understand is why the Russian Orthodox Church has such a pronounced paranoia towards other religions.

People who become Karma Kagyu would never become Christians. They can become humanists or nihilists, but by no means Christians. And just as we rejoice that someone finds Christianity and benefits from it, so they should rejoice that someone finds Buddhism and benefits from it. You can quote old Dan from China: "It doesn't matter what color the cat is, as long as it catches a lot of mice." And this is really the most important thing.

– You can see that Buddhism, as well as various elements Tibetan, and in general Eastern culture, are becoming very fashionable, both in the West and in Russia. What is your opinion about Buddhism in the context of globalization, your attitude towards globalism?

– I think that all over the world there are a few percent of the population who feel good being Buddhists. Others, using the Internet, will get acquainted with Buddhism, get to know it better, and some will even become its adherents and join.

In fact, on a global scale, we are declining in number of Buddhists. In countries such as Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, locals convert to Christianity. Because Buddhism in these countries has become too “bony”: rigid, elitist, masculine, and people can no longer practice it. But, of course, in the West, where people strive for deep ancient experience, we look very strong.

- Do you, or any of your colleagues and followers, together with representatives of other faiths, participate in peacekeeping and anti-terrorist activities, and if not, are you going to do this?

We avoid Islam as much as possible. I think this religion is directly dangerous. The Koran says “Kill Christians, kill Jews. If you are weak, then be kind, and if you are strong, then kill them.”

If any religious system treats women the way Muslims do, I think it's a complete disaster. There is nothing more beautiful than a free woman, and an oppressed woman is terrible.

And that's probably why their countries can only sell oil. Because half of their liberation activities are suppressed.

– Aren't you afraid in this regard of the possibility of a conflict between the Islamic world and the Buddhist one?

“Muslims have been destroying us for the last thousand years—this is nothing new. They destroyed Buddhism in Northern India. Recently in Afghanistan they destroyed the Buddha statues in Balkh and Bamiyan. The Islamists are destroying us wherever they can.

I hope that in the future we will have a united front with Christians in defense of Western society. And together we can preserve our freedom, our way of life, which is dear to us, and not fall into the Middle Ages. And for this we extend our hand.

Interviewed by Alexey Belov, Portal-Credo.Ru

Lama Ole Nydahl appears in London twice a year. "Lama" is not a monk or a saint. This is a person who teaches Buddhism. Lama Ole teaches Tibetan Buddhism from the Karma Kagyu tradition. He and his wife Hannah are the first Westerners to receive this knowledge directly from the "yogi king of Tibet", the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. Ole remembers that in a previous life he was already a lama in Tibet. It is difficult for a non-Buddhist to understand what all this means. The Buddhist, on the other hand, folds his hands on his chest with gratitude and asks for blessings.

When the Chinese captured Tibet and many inhabitants of this mountainous Buddhist country were forced to flee through the Himalayas from the invaders who destroyed ancient monasteries and shot lamas, the Tibetans, as they themselves believe, began to be reborn in the West.

Since childhood, Ole, a Danish boy from a professorial family, has dreamed about how he leads people of small stature, Asian appearance through the mountains, saving them from Chinese detachments, shooting back ... Now he is sure that in a previous life he lived in Tibet. The same was said to him by those people from whom, after spending three years in the Himalayas, he received the transmission of knowledge.

"On the day of the new moon in September 1970 in Sikkim, in the Himalayas, I took the name Karma Lodi Jamtso, which means "Ocean of Wisdom". The teacher who gave me this name is Karmapa. He is the first consciously reborn lama in Tibet. He does this , starting from 1110, and has already taken 17 incarnations. Our line of succession is called the Karma Kagyu."

Different religions - for different people

A master of meditation, author of books translated into dozens of languages, Lama Ole founded more than 400 centers in the world, about 80 of them in Russia, and now he does not have a home - each of these centers turns into his home when the lama arrives. In each he spends no more than two days.

Even if it was just to move from place to place, such a lifestyle would knock anyone off their feet. But Ole Nydahl also gives lectures, conducts collective meditations, provides refuge for those who decide to become a Buddhist. And at the same time alive and well in his 60-odd years. Still skydiving. Still hasn't spent a single night without his wife Hanna, who travels with him. Still, when possible, rides a motorcycle at a speed of 200 km per hour on mountainous alpine roads. Buddhas keep?

In a black T-shirt and jeans, lean and relaxed, this man resembles a successful businessman on vacation. That's just in the eyes of this man splashing crazy joy. “I am not enlightened... I myself believe that I am liberated,” the lama says at lectures, answering questions. “This means that I do not take things personally, and if any troubles arise, then I do not feel target."

“The idea of Buddhism is very simple, it is that our mind is a pure, clear light,” he says as we sit in a room at the Diamond Way Buddhism Center in London, hidden from the noisy breakfast sangha – Ole’s students and those who hopes to become his disciple on the path to liberation and enlightenment. "Some Christian mystics have also spoken about this. But we still say that all people are free, and this is our difference from Christianity."

Lama Ole has quite peaceful relations with Christianity. Christianity, he says, is for those who need some kind of god to prescribe what should and should not be done, and punish mistakes. Someone is fine with it.

Lama believes that different religions- for different people. "Our peculiarity is that we are not missionaries. Whatever a person believes in, whatever pleases him, we wish him all the best."

However, there is an ideology that the lama cannot reconcile with, and sharp statements about it have become a kind of trademark of his lectures: "Democracy, free life on the one hand and Islam on the other are incompatible; it's like water and oil."

But if Islam, according to the lama, is dangerous, then why are there so many millions of people around the world? the globe proudly call themselves Muslims? The lama's answer is metaphorical. "Because there is a lot of steel in it, but little gold. In addition, it gives their lives a very a high degree certainty."

From sour milk - champagne

Karma Kagyu became the first Buddhist organization officially recognized by the Russian authorities. What is a good attitude? Did this alarm the lama?

"No, and I'll explain why. We have evidence that we were in Siberia already in 1257. Hundreds of years before Christianity came there. When Yeltsin introduced his law about the required [when registering religious associations] 15 years, we said, "Fifteen?! Yes, we have been here for almost a thousand years! "I remember I had a meeting with the KGB, I gave them all the evidence, and they agreed."

However, the Russian authorities did not let the Dalai Lama into the country ... "I think Russia has one big neighbor whom it does not want to annoy. It's just ridiculous - China is afraid of one old man. He is 67 years old, he underwent stomach surgery. .. He is not dangerous. Whole army Chinese officials against one poor Dalai Lama. This not normal. It's not very worthy. I don't think Russia needs it, it's too big to play these games."

Lama remembers very well his first impressions of Russia in 1988: "The country then looked like a big wounded animal."

Is Russia changing? “If we compare the country with drinks, then before our eyes champagne is formed from sour milk. Especially, of course, in Moscow, where up to 80 percent of all money is deposited. But everything is changing in other places. Everywhere you meet representatives of a new generation of people who do not waiting to be told what to do, who are self-reliant and independent. And that's great."

Buddhist country Russia

But Russia is a country with a strong Orthodox background. To tell a Russian that Buddhism does not recognize the soul!..

It's okay, the lama laughs. “For example, I am very pleased that I don’t have a soul, I can do without it. Russians are very receptive to new ideas, their antennas are tuned to several bands at once. Russians have a highly developed abstract thinking Much better than the Americans.

Here I involuntarily recall one of Boris Grebenshchikov's songs, where he called the Volga a Buddhist river... Doesn't Lama Ole think that Russians have a Buddhist mentality?

"Nations of the heroic type - a Slavic peoples, as a rule, they are - those who want to find happiness understand Buddhism very well. Russians are poetic. If they trust you, they take risks and go straight to the experience. There are countries where not everything is so simple. For example, in France, in Britain, in America, people want to be led by the hand along this road step by step ... "

I look into the llama's serene gray Danish eyes and understand that this person prefers not to lead by the handle, but to do something that sends you straight to the goal. Like skydiving. Does the lama tell his disciples about the purpose of human life?

"I tell them that the goal of my life is to reach a level where I can act for the benefit of all people. To eliminate all stupidity from my life, so that only compassion remains - that is my goal. I think my students have the same one."

This answer disappoints me a little. What was I waiting for? What is now tibetan lama surprise me with some special meaning of life? Okay, I'll try to catch him on another...

With what thought does Ole Nydahl wake up every morning? What is the first thing that comes to his mind? The lama's answer makes me laugh involuntarily.

"Which beautiful woman next to me!"

The Lama starts laughing too, and we are still laughing when the same woman with whom Ole Nydahl has not parted for one day or one night for more than 30 years enters the room. She smiles softly and quietly asks, "Are you done yet? Is everything okay?"

Finally, I take a few pictures of Ole. I hope that you can see on them that radiant joy in his eyes, which strikes from the very beginning.

The only thing I regret now is that I did not take a picture of them together, the Buddhist family of Hanna and Ole Nydalov. Because their life is the best illustration of Ole's words: "In Buddhism, if you suffer, there is nothing special or sacred about it. You just made a mistake somewhere."