A Calm Place in the Storm

Venerable Lama Karma Thinley Rinpoche (the Fourth Karma Thinleypa) is a recognised master in both the Karma Kagyu and Sakya schools of Tibetan Buddhism. he is one of the handful of remarkable teachers who first helped bring these teachings to the West, settling in Toronto, Canada, where he taught for over fifty years. Here, he distills the essence of the precious Buddhist teachings and path to enlightenment, and skillfully addresses some misconceptions. Dense with meaning and practical advice, like a delicious feast, these teachings provide invaluable support and guidance for the development and ripening of compassion and wisdom.

Illustrations by Karma Thinley Rinpoche and Christopher Banigan.

Garchen Choje Lama Karma Thinley Rinpoche was born into the noble ruling family of Bongsar of the Gong Lha Bu Clan in Nangchen, Kham, in eastern Tibet in 1931. In his youth, he studied with many eminent Buddhist teachers, and received full ordination in 1950. In 1959, Rinpoche left Tibet with the entourage of the Gyalwang Karmapa and the consort of the Fifteenth Karmapa, Khandro Chenmo Rinpoche. In India, he worked for many years with Sister Palmo (Freda Bedi) at the Young Lamas' Home School for the four great sects of Tibetan Buddhism in New Delhi, where the Gyalwang Karmapa appointed Rinpoche as its abbot. In 1971, Karma Thinley Rinpoche came to Canada in accordance with the predictions of Kyabje Sakya Trizin Rinpoche and the Gyalwang Karmapa. He accompanied the first wave of Tibetan refugees to settle in Canada at that time. In April 1973 he founded Kampo Gangra Drubgyud Ling in Toronto. Since his retirement, Rinpoche now lives in Nepal.

LAMA JAMPA THAYE is an Englishman who has studied for over five decades under Karma Thinley Rinpoche and other Tibetan masters. Appointed as his dharma-regent by Karma Thinley Rinpoche, he is well-known for his teachings and writings on Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies and is one of the few Westerners traditionally authorized to teach the Vajrayana.

KARMA NALJORMA (Maggie Fruitman) has studied under Karma Thinley Rinpoche since 1977. Born and raised in England, she lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and their family. In this city where Rinpoche resided for over fifty years, they continue to help at Kampo Gangra Drubgyudling, the Tibetan Vajrayana meditation centre founded by Rinpoche in 1973. Karma Naljorma is a graduate of Durham University in the U.K. and the University of Toronto.