The Special Connection
with the XVIth Gyalwang Karmapa: 3

Rinpoché's Role in the 1974 visit to Europe
of the Gyalwang Karmapa

Now that the ground was sufficiently prepared by the visits of the Very Ven. Kalu Rinpoché, the Karmapa agreed to visit Europe on his return from the USA. Shortly before the arrival of the Karmapa, Samye Ling had the honour of receiving Sister Palmo (Freda Bedi), or mummy as she was so widely known. The residents finally met the person who had been so kind to Rinpoché and so instrumental in bringing him to the UK. She was also able to interpret for the Karmapa and to share her own deep experience of Tibetan Buddhism and her insights into its practice. As she had truly been like a second mother to Rinpoché, her own children had become like his siblings.

Thus it was that, in response to Akong Rinpoché’s many requests, the XVIth Gyalwang Karmapa first set foot in Europe in Scotland in late 1974. He landed at Prestwick airport, to be greeted as a VIP, on the tarmac, by Akong Rinpoché accompanied by the author. His Holiness and his relatively small entourage were then whisked directly to Samye Ling where he spent some three weeks, giving refuge, vows, empowerments and some teachings. Those of us fortunate enough to be at the heart of this visit and responsible for its good running discovered not only the magnificent and unequalled qualities of the Karmapa but also saw how close Akong Rinpoché was to him and the deep affection and trust shown by His Holiness for Rinpoché. Akong Rinpoché arranged for each of the community members to ask the Karmapa one question. This was not in private: we lined up and, with Sister Palmo interpreting, each of us got a few minutes to ask a vital and meaningful question and to get his blessing and make a connection. During his stay, at Akong Rinpoché’s request, the Karmapa conferred the empowerments of Milarepa, Karma Pakshi, Sanjay Minla, Manjushri (Mawi Senge) and Chenrezik. He also conferred the Vajra Crown ceremony, three times in Eskdalemuir and once in a public hall in Edinburgh.

One significant moment took place during this visit, concerning Akong Rinpoché's reluctance to teach and the Karmapa's command for him to teach. The story is perhaps worth telling and can be found here.

After Samye Ling, Akong Rinpoché accompanied the Karmapa to France, where Rinpoché, Katia and the author helped organise the new Paris centre so it could receive the Karmapa properly. After visiting the land just donated to him in the Dordogne and Aix-en-Provence with Akong Rinpoché as his main facilitator, the Karmapa continued to Italy where Rinpoché accompanied him in a private audience with the then Pope, Paul VI. Based on his experience during this first brief, trial trip to Europe, the XVIth Karmapa subsequently appointed Akong Rinpoché as organiser for a much more extensive visit to Europe. That took place in 1977.

......continue to the next part of the story: Rinpoché's role in the 1977 visit of the Karmapa, Part 1