The European Visit 2014 comes to a close.

The first Visit to Europe by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje from the 28th May till 9th June in Germany has been a remarkable success and a landmark event.  The Karmapa Foundation Europe (KFE) has endeavoured  to provide the necessary support for the Visit.

We wholeheartedly thank His Holiness for his generous presence in Europe and for the simplicity and clarity of his deep teachings.  His spiritual instructions touched the hearts of all those present at the different venues and Dharma Centres in Germany and of people – throughout Europe and worldwide – who were unable to attend the events,  yet could follow the teachings through the webcasts.

The Karmapa Foundation Europe wishes His Holiness a safe return to India, particularly thanks the German organizers for having organized so successfully the event  and hopes that this Visit will be the first of many regular visits to our various countries – if possible, every year.

Such has been his presence among us that Europe is no longer the same, for he leaves behind him seeds of spiritual renewal. Now it is up to us Europeans to enact his wisdom and love in our own lives and to keep up the operational momentum created by the Visit.

For a start, the Karmapa Foundation Europe means to produce a book in several European languages of the teachings given in Germany, whose title might well be “The Future Starts Now”. The aim is to promote knowledge about the Karmapa and his work in Europe and beyond.

During the Visit, His Holiness made a specific request to the Foundation – and hence indirectly to Europeans – to support his education and healthcare initiatives throughout the Himalayan area, including Tibet. These will initially target monasteries and nunneries, extending later to the population at large.  This broad programme will of course be implemented step by step.