Karma Samadhi Ling was established as a non-profit religious organization in 2016 to hold a large parcel of forested land in Nova Scotia, Canada. Our vision includes earth-centred spirituality, respect for the earth, and living in balance with the natural world. Opportunities for quiet contemplation in today’s world are rare, and places dedicated to spiritual ecology and nature preservation are even scarcer. Meditation and being immersed in nature have a calming effect on the mind. We invite all faith traditions to join us in ceremony. Preserving such sanctuaries is becoming ever more important.
A Sanctuary for Birds and Wildlife
The land was gifted to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa by Jangchub Zangmo in 2015 due to her love of nature and the belief in the need to conserve land for the future and our lineage.
This gift was made in memory of her Guru, the Sixteenth Karmapa of Tibet, who was well known for his love of birds, and all animals. This summer we will be walking the land with local naturalists to identify the land birds at risk in our area, and how to make our land a safe haven.
In 2018, at the request of the 17th Karmapa, a further 33 acres were added to the original 100-acre gift thanks to a kind sponsor.
Beginning in 2016 with a blessing ceremony by the Venerable Master Hai Tao we created a sacred space for meditation and blessing ceremonies.
The land is open to the general public who wish to visit during the daylight hours. We were recently gifted with a large modern White Tara statue which will be installed this summer.
Our Vision
Our vision is to sustain the land as a wilderness nature retreat land in accordance with the wishes of our spiritual guide, the 17th Karmapa Oygen Trinley Dorje. We have completed environmental assessments of the land including a complete mapping of the forest, the various types of types of trees and vegetation, and have
discovered areas of environmental interest such as the karst area at the back of the land which is considered essential to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. We hope our land will become a sacred nature park for the contemplative community.
Our Mission
Karma Samadhi Ling was formed to hold a large tract of wilderness land for the Karma Kagyu Lineage on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. We host Kagyu Lamas to visit from other parts of North America and advance, through our charitable activities, the preservation and practice of this great meditation lineage dating back to 12th century Tibet.
Our lands are also a wildlife sanctuary, in particular for the land birds at risk of extinction in our area and we are now working with local naturalists to help save them by providing conducive habitat.
In June of 2017, our board members met with His Holiness the 17th Karmapa at Thrangu Monastery Canada in Richmond BC. From left to right are Dr. John Barnhill, Nick Adamson-Jones, the Gyalwang Karmapa, Mr. Terry Henderson, Treasurer, and Tsunma Jangchub Zangmo (Mary Jane Bennett), Vice President and Secretary.
Our Spiritual Guide
At age 39, the spiritual head of our 900-year-old Lineage, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Oygen Trinley Dorje, has emerged as an important leader for our time. The Gyalwang Karmapa’s keen interest in environmental issues and concerns, informs our every decision as we begin to explore and learn about the land.
Our Founders
Karma Samadhi Ling is a wilderness retreat of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism under the auspices of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Oygen Trinley Dorje. The land was donated to the Karmapa and the Karma Kagyu Lineage in 2015 by Jangchub Zangmo. In 2016 Karmapa granted a name, Karma Samadhi Ling, chose the Board of Directors, and a Canadian federal non-profit organization was formed to hold the land.
Khenpo Karma Tenkyong (resident teacher at KTD in Woodstock, NY) was appointed by the Gyalwang Karmapa to oversee this project.