Lama Ole Nydahl
On their honeymoon in 1968, Lama Ole and his wife Hannah met the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The 16th Karmapa asked them to bring the teachings of Buddhism and meditation to the West and to establish Buddhist centers. From 1972 onwards, Lama Ole dedicated his life to fulfilling this wish. For more than five decades, he travelled the world giving lectures, leading meditation courses, establishing and visiting Buddhist centers, and guiding thousands of students.
Lama Ole specialized in teaching Mahamudra, the “Great Seal”, through which a realized teacher can introduce students to the limitless nature of mind, as well as transmitting Phowa, “Conscious Dying”, a rare, centuries-old meditation practice. In his teachings, Lama Ole emphasized combining Buddhist practice in everyday life with independent thinking and the maturity that comes from life experience. He also highlighted the importance of taking responsibility for society, particularly defending freedom of speech and women's rights.
Lama Ole passed away peacefully on 18 May 2026, surrounded by his family at the Europe Center in Germany. His tireless activity for Buddhism in the West and his dedication to the Karma Kagyu lineage have left a lasting legacy. His teachings, the centers he founded, and the many people whose lives he touched continue to carry his work forward.