Deeply moved, we share the news that our teacher Lama Ole, has left his body. “In a completely natural and peaceful way – marked as always, by immense love and strength”, he passed away surrounded by his family on 18 May 2026, at the Europe Center (The International Diamondway Buddhist Center, Germany) where many of his students and friends from around the world had gathered to meditate together over the past few weeks.

His tireless activity for Buddhism in the West and the Karma Kagyu lineage fills us with great gratitude. Lama Ole dedicated his life entirely to the mission of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, and since 1972, he founded over 650 Diamond Way Buddhist centers worldwide, visited them regularly, and took care of his countless students with boundless devotion.

For us, as his students and friends, Lama Ole remains in our hearts as a powerful, great teacher who shared everything with us.

Following Lama Ole’s example, we will continue his work in unity.

(First published at www.diamondway-buddhism.org)

Condolences from Around the World

Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa 

Dear Dharma friends,

With deep sorrow, we received the news this morning that our dear Lama Ole Nydahl has passed beyond this life.

For more than five decades, Lama Ole worked tirelessly to bring the Buddha Dharma to innumerable people around the world. Through his courage, devotion, and boundless activity, he created countless access points to the Buddha’s teachings and to the Karma Kagyu lineage, allowing tens of thousands of students to establish a meaningful and lasting connection with the Dharma.

After meeting and spending several years with my predecessor, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, Lama Ole and Hannah dedicated their entire lives to fulfilling his wishes and bringing the Karma Kagyu teachings to the West and far beyond. Together, they carried the Buddha Dharma across continents with extraordinary dedication and unwavering trust in the lineage.

Through their activity, countless students found meaning, friendship, and a lifelong path through the Buddha’s teachings. Beyond his vast activity, everyone who met him will remember Lama Ole’s deeply human qualities; his honesty, directness, courage, humour, and his ability to inspire confidence and joy in others. The immense devotion that Lama Ole’s students continue to hold for him is itself a sign of the depth of his activity and dedication.

Many students now feel the pain of separation and loss. Yet I would like to remind everyone that the true way to cherish a teacher is not to cling to the outer person, but to recognise and preserve the essence of the teacher’s practice and realisation. As the Buddha himself taught, the deepest connection to the teacher is maintained through practicing the Dharma sincerely and keeping the teachings alive within one’s own experience. If you can do that, then wherever you turn, the teacher will still be there.

At this moment, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for our beloved Lama Ole’s life and activity, and my deepest condolences to all his students, friends, and loved ones around the world.

However, rather than focusing on the pain of separation, we should consider ourselves fortunate to have met such a teacher in this lifetime, and honour his legacy by continuing the values of courage, devotion, and openness that he embodied.

With prayers,
Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa

Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche 

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I received the news of Lama Ole Nydahl’s passing.

On behalf of myself and the monastic and lay communities connected to the Jamgon Kongtrul lineage, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, students, followers, and the entire Diamond Way community worldwide.

Lama Ole’s sincere devotion and connection to the Karma Kagyu lineage created conditions for many people in Western countries to encounter and develop faith in the authentic Dharma teachings. He dedicated his life with uncompromised devotion to His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa’s activities and continuously supported the aspirations and activities linked to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa. Lama Ole was one of the key figures who also helped bring the activities and legacy of the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche to the West, and personally, continuously offered support and kindness to me.

Through his tireless efforts in transmitting Buddha Dharma, he served as an important bridge between the West and the profound teachings of the Karma Kagyu lineage, bringing Dharma teachings to countless beings across many nations and cultures. His energy, courage, dedication, and commitment to making the teachings accessible to modern society have made a lasting impact that will continue to benefit many generations. Through the many Dharma centers and communities established under his guidance, countless people encountered the path of wisdom, compassion, and meaningful spiritual practice.

May his family, students, and followers stay united in harmony in preserving and continuing the vision and Dharma work he carried throughout his life. May the precious teachings he shared continue to flourish and benefit beings endlessly.

With prayers,

Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche

Lama Jigme Rinpoche

Dear Dharma friends,

It is with deep sadness that we received the news of Lama Ole’s passing today.

Lama Jigme Rinpoche, together with the Dhagpo community, would like to extend their sincere condolences to all of you.

Lama Ole was, and will continue to be, an inspiration to all of us Dharma practitioners in many ways: an example of unshakeable confidence in the qualities of the mind; an example of deep trust and devotion to his teachers; an example of boundless compassion and fearless dedication in sharing the Buddhadharma with all who longed for it; and an example of genuine care for his students.

Lama Ole came to Dhagpo Kagyu Ling from its very beginning 50 years ago. He first met Lama Jigme Rinpoche at Rumtek Monastery, the seat in exile of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, in 1970. Neither Lama Ole nor Lama Jigme Rinpoche could have imagined then that their meeting would grow into a lifelong friendship that would affect the lives of thousands across the world, working together to make the Buddha Dharma accessible to all who aspired to it.

Today, we have indeed lost one of the last direct witnesses to the wisdom and compassion of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. Yet the warmth, courage, and joy that Lama Ole brought to so many people will remain with us and continue to guide our steps on the path. May we honor his memory by carrying forward the compassion and dedication he shared so generously with all of us.As wished by Lama Jigme Rinpoche, the Dhagpo community will hold Amitabha practices during seven weeks in his honor and memory.

With prayers and warm wishes,

Lama Jigme Rinpoche
& the Dhagpo Community

Nedo Kuchung Rinpoche

With profound sorrow, wishes and deep gratitude, we mourn the passing of the great Dharma teacher Lama Ole Nydahl, who entered parinirvana on this day, 18th May 2026.

Lama Ole Nydahl was among the closest disciples of H.H. The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje and dedicated his entire life to carrying the precious teachings of the Karma Kagyu lineage across the world. With fearless devotion, unwavering faith and inexhaustible energy, he worked tirelessly to establish the Dharma in countless countries, benefiting beings beyond measure.

At a time when the Buddhadharma was still unfamiliar to many in the West, Lama Ole became a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern society. Through his courage, humor, directness and deep devotion to His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, he inspired thousands to enter the path of Dharma, meditation and compassion. Under the blessings of the Karmapas and lineage masters, he established numerous Dharma centers where countless beings encountered the teachings of Mahamudra and the profound lineage of Karma Kagyu.

Though the form body is impermanent, the impact of his Dharma activities and the merit generated through his efforts will continue to benefit sentient beings for a very long time. To all his students and disciples around the world who are grieving today, may you find solace in remembering that a true Dharma master never truly departs from the hearts of devoted students. The connection forged through Dharma, blessings and devotion transcends physical separation. In moments of sorrow, may you remember his teachings, his laughter, his fearless spirit and the immense compassion with which he guided beings toward the path of liberation. The greatest offering to one’s guru is to continue practicing sincerely and to keep the lamp of Dharma shining for the benefit of all beings. May his students remain united in Dharma and continue to uphold the teachings with wisdom, compassion and devotion.

At this moment of loss, we also remember the words of the Buddha that all compounded phenomena are impermanent. Yet the enlightened activity born from bodhicitta never fades. May all who were connected with Lama Ole transform grief into deeper practice, stronger refuge and greater compassion for all sentient beings.

(English original at www.lama-ole-nydahl.org)