This talk highlights the yearly Karma Guncho gathering in Bodh Gaya, during which the 17th Karmapa gave a lesson on the biography of the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa.
The 17th Karmapa provided details about Dusum Khyenpa’s birth, childhood, and teachers, presenting new insights and original research.
The teaching also referred to Tibetan sources not mentioned in existing English biographies.
The 17th Karmapa discussed the birthplace discrepancy of the 1st Karmapa and shared intriguing stories about his teachers, such as Vairochanavajra.
The Karmapa emphasizes the importance of protecting the Karma Kagyu tradition and specific rituals, like the four-mandala Tara practice.
He encourages practitioners to not just follow the spiritual leaders’ life stories, but to truly embody their teachings.
