20/05/2026
An era has drawn to an end. Beginning with Lama Ole's and his late wife Hanna's taking of Refuge with His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa in 1968, what followed was a more than fifty-year journey of spreading the Buddhadharma and establishing Tibetan Buddhism in the tradition of the Karma Kagyu throughout
the world.
With deep devotion to his teachers, boundless energy, and compassionate deter-mination to benefit beings, he touched the lives of thousands. Under his skilful guidance, more than 560 Diamond Way Centres were established in over 60 countries, connecting countless individuals with and rooting his disciples in the Dharma.Lama Ole perfectly accomplished the task His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapaentrusted him with in the early 1970s-to establish meditation centres in the West.
On 18 May 2026, after decades of tireless, unceasing activity for the Buddha-dharma and the establishment of Tibetan Buddhism in the Western hemisphere,Venerable Lama Ole Nydahl, esteemed teacher and founder of Diamond Way Buddhism, has passed away.
In the name of the entire KIBI community, we offer our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to his wife Anne, his family, friends, disciples, and the entire Diamond Way Sangha. Offering our genuine prayers and aspirations, in particular for the untainted continuation of his legacy, we stand in support of Lama Ole's
mandala.
With prayers,
Kantsa Gurung
(KIBS General Secretary)
