Karma Theksum Chokhorling (KTC) is an authentic Karma Kagyu center of Tibetan Buddhism, standing under the guidance of His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa. Legally constituted as a religious organization, KTC was established as a place where the teachings and practices of the Karma Kagyu Lineage are made available to the students who wish to learn about and practice Tibetan Buddhism.
As the South American seat of H.H. Karmapa, KTC has been the host to many great Kagyu teachers and is blessed with the guidance of Khenpo Khenrab Wangchuck.
KTC is located in Rio de Janeiro and does not have any other affiliate center or representation in Brazil.
A brief history of Karma Theksum Chokhorling
In 1984, during a meeting with a brazilian psychiatrist, H. H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche threw a question: “Since your main object of work is the mind, maybe you can tell me what mind is’’!
The psychiatrist, Dr Marta Cavalcanti, didn´t find any immediate answer to that question. After all, what could the mind be? After three days reflecting, she wasn´t able to come up with the answer so she returned to the presence of Rinpoche to ask him for teachings about the mind. Thus, the first seed was sown for the growth of KTC.
From then on, Dr Marta dove deeply into the universe of Buddhism. She went on a three-year traditional Buddhism retreat in Chanteloube, Dordogne (France), where she received teachings and transmissions from H. H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche among other Great Masters of Nyingma lineage.
After finishing retreat, Dr Marta met Kalu Rinpoche, in Hong Kong, and received from Him monastic vows, she was bestowed the name Ani Tsultrim Palmo. Thereupon, in Khatmandu, Pawo Rinpoche advised her to practice at Kagyu Lineage.
So, Ani Tsultrim met all the Kagyu Regents and as she became acquainted with Jamgon Kongtrul III, She invited him to visit Brazil. Jamgon Kongtrul answeared that he would arrive in Brazil on December 1st (what, in fact, happened).
Back in Paris, she received from the hands of Jigme Rinpoche a letter from the XVI Karmapa with the name of a Dharma Center to be founded in Brazil: Karma Theksum Chokhorling.
In 1988, Ani Tsultrim returned to Brazil, donated a private land for the foundation of KTC and promoted the construction of facilities for the operation of the Center.
In December of the same year, S.E. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche III came to Brazil, accompanied by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, establishing the Karmapas Lineage in Brazil. He gave refuge vows, Tchenrezig empowerment, and transmitted the first teachings of the Karma Kagyu Lineage in Brazil. On the same occasion, he consecrated the land that today holds our facilities.
Resident Lamas and Visiting Teachers
Between 1988 and 1991, Ani Tsultrim stayed in Brazil, at the head of KTC, bringing great masters to teach the Dharma.
In 1989, Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave teachings and painted the Green Tara Statue that until today stays in the cave where the first practices were done. In 1990, already in the new facilities, Thrangu Rinpoche gave teachings and initiations, returning to KTC also in 1991.
Between 1991 and 2012, KTC also received Sherab Dorje Rinpoche, Bokar Rinpoche, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, Jetsum Kuchok Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and Khenpo Ugyen Tenzim.
The responsible Lama for KTC is Khenpo Khenrab Wangchuk. In 2000, Khenpo Khenrab took on the spiritual orientation of KTC, establishing the Dharma practice among us. Between 2001 and 2005, following Khenpo Khenrab, we had the presence of Norden Tshering Lepcha Lama and Sonam Tenzin Lama.
Until 2012, Khenpo Khenrab Wangchuk remained in Brazil. Currently, he is retreat in Bhutan.
Between 2013 and 2016, we had as our resident lama Acharya Tshewang Dorje.
Between 2017 and Mid-Year 2018, Lama Pema Rangdol was our resident lama.
Administration and Maintenance
According to our status, the administration of KTC is held by our board as follows: presidency, executive board, treasury, editorial and registrar´s office. Board nomination process takes place every three years by Curator Board of the Institution.
KTC is maintained through monthly donations made by its affiliated members.
Over these 30 years, so many people contributed and collaborated with us, donating their time, hard work and possessions. Some of them stayed for a period of time, others until today and others are not alive anymore. However, everybody left a piece of them. Our gratitude for all of them!
For all of those who were part of or still belong to the Administration of KTC we hope that the bonds created linger on and create compassion and wisdom, for the benefit of all sentient beings.
To be continued…
So, this is a little bit of our history so far. Like all good story, it is a long-lasting one.
