The local followers of an ancient eastern practice

When was the last time you checked your energetics? Some energy-saturated Kyivites were trying to do just that recently to mark the arrival in town of famous Danish guru Ole Nidahl is a renowned Lama of the Karma Kagyu School, and on his rare appearance in town at Artists House, he was literally besieged by devotees desperate him to check their energy level. The 'check-my-energy' crowd didn't have their wishes fulfilled but everyone still had a chance to enjoy Oie's lecture on Karma Kagyu Buddhism, with a good portion of Danish humour.

Buddhism is traditionally known as one of the world's most ancient religions, which has its roots historically with Buddha Shakyamyni, from India. Buddhism places an emphasis on the individual, and demands adherents question rather than follow them blindly. As Buddha himself is supposed to have said, "Don't believe my words because Buddha told you, but, examine them well."

The religion breaks down into three basic denominations, or 'Ways', each focusing on being of benefit to different groups of people. The 'Small Way' for those who simply want to avoid suffering. Then there is the 'Great Way', for those who seek to do more for others, and finally there is the 'Diamond Way', for people that have strong confidence in their own Buddhist spirituality.

The Karma Kagyu School follows the 'Diamond Way' tradition, and is currently enjoying significant growth around the world, and here in Ukraine. It arrived in Ukraine in 1991, while it's Tibetan origins are dated at 1111. The Karma Kagyu methods were originally taught bv historical Buddha Shakyamvni to his closest students. In time this style spread all over the world, and nowadays is making major progress in the Western world. A significant input to this process is being made by such charismatic leaders as Danish Lama Ole Nidahl, who is the only Westerner to qualify as a Lama. He manages to perform deep spiritual tasks on two levels: his own inner meditations and his constant touring around die world, where he gives lectures on Karma Kagyu essentials. The man still enjoys very human activities like skydiving, by the way. Adherents believe that the breadth of views and wide range of methods offered through such unique teachers as Nidahl are what is attracting educated and independent Western people to the religion today. Talking to the assembled Kyivites, it became clear that everyone involved in Karma Kagyu has something of their own they are searching for.
Natasha, 23, a programmer commented, "coming to the meditation center and practicing Karma Kagyu made my life more thoughtful, with more meaning, instead of being mechanical." Igor, 35, an artist, says that Karma Kagyu methods attract him because of the opportunity to discover the world around him by himself, not through someone else's experience or perspective in books or doctrines.
And others say they are tired of suffering in everyday fife and that practising in the center helps to overcome this suffering and even to get to the point where they are able to help others. "The other important thing," says Ivan, "is that almost everyone comes to Karma Kagyu by himself, by his own means, and no one has ever been forced into it, because it's better to be a happy Christian than an unhappy Buddhist. So in this way we don't keep any aggressive feelings around and there aren't any conflicts with others just because we're Buddhists."
The Kyiv Karma Kagyu Centre was set up by Ole Nidahl, as were the other 260 centres all over the world and the 11 other centres in Ukraine. The man dedicated a remarkable 27 years of his life to Buddhism. The biggest centres here are in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernigiv, and Lugansk. Oles' personal visits are always major events for all Ukrainian Buddhists: they bring together people who practice in the centres with those who practice individually. Not only Buddhists, but ordinary people also showed great interest in Nidahl's teachings. Ole had plenty to say on his recent visit. When asked why he personally had chosed Karma Kagyu out of all schools of Buddhism, the Danish Lama replied, "because they were the craziest," demonstrating once again his unique style, combining relaxed monologues with shocking, witty answers. No matter how unexpected and unorthodox his answers were, though, this 2,500 year old religion is worthy of some serious respect.

Ksusha Pavlova

Kyiv Karma Kagyu Center
Budivelnukiv St., 39/11
Tel: 559-94-21
E-mail: kyiv()buddhism.org.ua