To meet Buddha

MEETING THE BUDDHA

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A documentary about the life of the 16th Karmapa and his disciple Ole Nydahl, this film is a journey across borders and lives, capturing the unwavering bond between teacher and disciple and the living continuity of Tibetan Buddhism in the West.

Genre: Documentary

Running time: 144 minutes

Language: English, Tibetan, with Bulgarian subtitles

Country of origin: United Kingdom, 2025

 

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Meeting the Buddha presents the life and legacy of the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje - the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The film captures the remarkable presence of this “Living Buddha”, tracing his early years in Tibet, the preservation of his lineage in exile in India and his vision to spread Buddhism to the modern world. In this context, we meet Ole Nydahl, a wild young hippie from Denmark who, as a young child, declared his desire to become the “Danish champion of the mind.” His life was radically transformed by a chance encounter with the Karmapa in 1969. He and his wife, Hannah, became key figures in bringing Buddhism to the West, founding hundreds of meditation centers from Mexico City to Vladivostok and carrying on their teacher’s vision with unwavering dedication. Set against a backdrop of political upheaval in Tibet and cultural transformation in the West, “Meeting the Buddha” tells a historically rich yet deeply personal story of how timeless wisdom finds its way into modern life. Through interviews, animation, and never-before-seen archival footage, this documentary honors the deep bond between teacher and student that keeps the Karma Kagyu lineage alive.