By Wasfia Nazreen
New York, May 19 – On Sunday, May 18th, His Eminence Karmapa bestowed two public dharma teachings in the afternoon at the Waldorf-Astoria Ballroom in the Midtown area of Manhattan. The teaching was preceded by a note from a representative of Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City, which presented Karmapa with and read aloud a proclamation from the Mayor recognizing May 15-21, 2008 to be “His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa Week” in New York City.
The event was highly delightful to experience, where the audience saw a playful Karmapa engage in serious discussions on the topic “Cutting Through Confusion: Discovering the Wisdom of Our Own Minds.” By using personal examples, he gave highly practical and useful advice for anyone seeking happiness in life by being aware of deluded cognition. He spoke on several ways to transcend the cultural and social trappings that may come to be associated with meditation practice and how to allow one’s mind to relax and be wakeful in a natural, uncontrived way.
Karmapa also covered several other range of topics and was in a constant joking mood with his interaction with the translator. He made several use of impressive English vocabulary that made the packed audience burst into laughter every now and then. He remarked that hopefully by his next trip, he’ll be able to speak English full-scale and therefore, without the use of a translator- the teachings should be more fun. The teaching concluded with offering him presents one of which was an American “slang” book- a gesture made to perhaps congratulate his improving English vocabulary.
The teachings also followed a blessing exclusively for members of the Buddhist organizations that have worked together to plan and administer his visit. Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, the principal organizer of Karmapa in America ’08 also gave a ‘thank-you speech’ in which he expressed gratitude to all of the participating Sanghas and praise to the great city of New York.
Karmapa, over and over again, extended his heartfelt gratitude to those making his trip to the United States possible: the United States government, the Indian government, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and most importantly, his students and dharma friends in the United States.
More information regarding his remaining US trip can be found at www.karmapavisit.org
