Diamond Way Buddhism is a worldwide network for lay people from all walks of life, who incorporate Buddhist practice in their daily lives.

 

Diamond Way Buddhism belongs to the thousand-year-old Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Lama Ole Nydahl, a Western Buddhist master born in Denmark, established Diamond Way Buddhism in the 1970’s, together with his wife Hannah Nydahl. Their main teacher the 16th Karmapa asked them to teach what they had learned and to start Buddhist centers in the West.

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More than 40 years later, there are now 571 Diamond Way Buddhist centers around the world. The meditation methods that you can learn in these centers are all traditional Buddhist teachings, but presented in a modern, Western setting and language, accessible to all.

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The name “Diamond Way” is a translation of the Sanskrit word Vajrayana. Vajrayana is considered to be the most direct of the three levels of Buddha’s teachings. It is part of all the “old schools” of Tibetan Buddhism, and can also be found in other parts of the world.

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Teachers

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Lama Ole Nydahl is the main teacher of Diamond Way Buddhist centers, which he founded on behalf of Karmapa, the leader of the Karma Kagyu lineage. He travelled around the world throughout the year to take care of his students; Lama Ole’s teaching schedule was packed with public lectures and meditation courses.

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Lama Ole has also empowered a number of his experienced students as lay Diamond Way Buddhist teachers. They give practical explanations about Buddhism in Diamond Way centers.

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Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa and other high Buddhist teachers such as Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche and Lama Jigme Rinpoche visit Diamond Way Buddhist centers and large meditation courses.

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Centers

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The Diamond Way Buddhist centers are the first point of contact for people who want to know about Buddhism and get explanations about meditation from experienced Buddhist practitioners. That’s also where the local Buddhist practitioners meet to meditate, socialize and take part in the center’s activities. In each center, you can find guided meditations once or more times a week, and in some even every day.

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