Lama Tendar Olaf Hoeyer
My name is Olaf Hoeyer. The name Tendar is from my time as a monk. I was born in 1948 near Copenhagen on the edge of city and farmland. In 1967 I graduated from High school and attempted to study philosophy and psychology at the University of Copenhagen, but revolted against the established culture there. So I became part to the hippie movement of that time and became one of the first inhabitants of
Christiania, Copenhagen’s Hippie town. I moved out from there in 1975. The hippie era had ended. In my youth I was very interested in philosophy, psychology, religions and psychedelic substances. My livelihood in those years was very basic. I sustained myself with various jobs within many trades and professions. In 1976 I became bus-driver, and that has sustained my life for many years, when I was not travelling or enjoyed sponsorships.
I met His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpae Dorje in 1974. He impressed me greatly, because obviously he was a Saint (sanskrit: Bodhisattva). I did not become a Buddhist at that occasion though, but I had never before met such a human being with a completely pure heart. He had no dark side. There was only light and kindness.
Then in January 1977 I encountered the well known Lama Kalu Rinpoche, who showed me the kindness of demonstrating the very nature of mind beyond any concepts in the most direct way in an astonishing moment of no self nor other. So, naturally I went for Refuge with him that very same evening in Copenhagen. After that, many other Lamas educated me. First of all there was Gendun Rinpoche, who was the master of my 3 year retreat in France from 1991 to 1994 and so trained me and gave many transmissions. Shamar Rinpoche became my master in 1982. He is still a
source of wonder, because he is one of the most precise and serene Lamas of today. I came to know Shamarpa when I served as his driver in Nepal for about one year, early in the eighties as I was living and studying there at that time. Finally, Tenga Rinpoche is also my master (1978). He has always an answer even on the most difficult questions of philosophy or the technicalities of Dharma practise. Besides these 4 masters, I received transmission to the Dharma (Buddhism) from, first of all, H. H. the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpae Dorje, Jamgon Kongtrul Tulku, Thrangu Tulku, Bokar Tulku and Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. I also came to know many others, first of all, H. H. the Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, Choegyi Nyima Tulku (from Kathmandu), Lopon Chechu Rinpoche (from Buthan), Lama Yeshe Dorje (from Dharamsala), Lama Thubten (from Nice), Lama Wangdor (from Tso Pema), Lama Tarchin (from Dolpo), Lama Sherab Gyaltsen (from Pokara), the French Lama Yeshe Nyingpo (from Le Bost in France) and the English Lama Gelongma Rinchen (also from Le Bost). They have all either instructed, helped or inspired me at our meetings or training sessions, or they have accomplished all the 3 points in one go.
My education started in 1977 and proceeded in many places, both here in Denmark, France, India and Nepal, where I stayed almost 3 years in a period first in the eighties. I was 4 years in France first in the nineties.
From August 1985 until August 1989, I was the manager of the Copenhagen Buddhist Center Karma Drub Djy Ling, (Karma Kadjy Skolen). Holding that position, it was possible to obtain the recognition by the State of Denmark as a authentic religious society with all the privileges
that such recognition entails. It was also possible to transform the Center to a genuine institution and pay all the debts of that Center. (Today this Center is part of the Diamondway Buddhist Network of centers. At my time, it was a very mixed group of Karma Kagyu practitioners, that followed several different Lamas). In 1989 I went to France and participated in the preparations of the great Temple-project for Dhagpo Kagyu Ling (Karmapa’s main seat in Europa) in Dordogne. In 1991 my 3 year retreat started at Le Bost (Kyndreul Ling) in Auvergne, where also the Monastery is situated today and the Great Temple. These two centers along with their satellite-centers are organized as Dhagpo Kagyu Mandala. I still have a connection with them.
Tenga Tulku ordained me as Geltsül (novice-monk) in 1984 and gave me the name Karma Drubgyü Tendar. In 1988 I received the Gelong ordination (sanskrit: Bikshu, fully ordained monk) by Kenchen Thrangu Tulku. I gave back the wows in the year 2000, because it was not possible to live correctly as a monk in Denmark at that time (There are no monasteries and I dared not live as a homeless). Gendun Rinpoche appointed me as a Lama, when I left the retreat in 1994. There upon Shamarpa have confirmed the appointment. I am not a master myself, but just educated and trained in this craftsmanship of a spiritual nature and entrusted to formally teach Dharma.
In 2006 Shamar Rinpoche asked me to form a Bodhi Path Center here in Denmark. Tilogaard as a Bodhi Path Center means, that I am committed to Shamarpa’s network, and that Tilogaard should develop as a meeting-place, where also external teachers from the network come and teach. Tilogaard should evolve as both a meditation school and a so-called Refugium with various facilities for larger seminars and retreats. The traditional Danish concept of a “refugium” means a place for quietude, calm, contemplation, study, prayer, meditation or related
endeavours. People come to such places for a limited time to accomplish such projects, or to find peace in time of sorrow or new inspiration after a great loss. If Buddha or Buddhism is somehow involved in such individuals projects, they shall be welcome here. This is what I work for to come together and happen at Tilogaard. Presently, Tilogaard is a privately owned enterprise, but it is my aim to form a self-owning institution to take over the property. The Institution of Tilogaard Meditation School has been legally founded in October 2012, while the transfer of ownership will take place in ten years time for practical reasons. The financial situation cannot be resolved before that time, unless some sponsors appear to carry the project through.
The expression Lama (sanskrit: Guru) means several things, but mostly it means instructor and trainer. I instruct students in formal meditation and how to use the Buddhist views while meditating and in the post-meditation daily life. Then I train the students just like any other trainer in other disciplines. I also perform rituals for clients on request.
At present, teaching and training is organized for individuals or very few people at any one time, because I have very limited housing space here at Tilogaard. I teach also at various places in Denmark and abroad upon request. In the future, I hope to develop proper facilities at Tilogaard Bodhi Path Center for larger groups, so everybody can enjoy this nice country place, that is so well suited for study and Dharma practice.
