Impressions of a special kind
It was the sunny afternoon of Sunday, 8th June 2014 when His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Orgyen Thrinley Dorje grant audience to Benchen worldwide community members. We were a mixed-up colourful bunch of students of Kjabje Tenga Rinpoche who had attended the Berlin Karmapa events. Our meeting with HH took place at the Rigpa Dharma Mati centre of Sogyal Rinpoche.
“The future begins now - Karmapa European visit 2014“ had just ended three hours ago. From 5th to 8th June HH had given a series of talks on different subjects at the Estrel Convention Center. The talks cover Dharma teaching as well as environmental subjects and others. HH spoke very frankly about the heavy duty of being the Gyalwang Karmapa.
The event was a global and international occasion with about 1600 attendees. Those who were involved in the organization spent all their time, power and devotion to make such a happening possible. All went very smoothly, guests and organizers shared an exciting time. A lot of helpers and volunteers from different Berlin Buddhist centres as well as from all over the world worked together like mad and did their best. Most of them did not know each other before and many new friendships arose around the world.
In the Berlin Rigpa centre the Benchen community gathered in a nice room waiting for HH to join. Wide windows allowed the view into a park with lots of big green trees. The atmosphere was very familiar and pleasant. Mr Tempa Lama, chairman of Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling Monastery in Kathmandu, had arranged this audience. Of course it was crowded when he introduced the group of 60 or more people to the HH the Karmapa. I heard that even some guests from New York somehow managed to slip in.
It was an extraordinary opportunity for the Benchen Sangha to make contact with Karmapa. All of us were sure, that Tenga Rinpoche would have been very happy.
During our meeting HH emphasized that he took over the responsibility to find the emanation of Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche for us and that we do not need to worry.
Everyone was touched and happy when we left HH. Outside in the street in front of the centre we said farewell to each other. We all had a smile on our faces and inspired minds. All over sudden HH appeared behind a window and we waved each other goodbye.