We are people who follow the teachings of the Buddha. Through the Buddhist activities of the two very important teachers, the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa and the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, we can follow these teachings in Germany. Both teachers are the expression of the “non-sectarian movement” (rime movement) of so-called Tibetan Buddhism. They are the founders of Karma Tengyal Ling as an institution. The 1st Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye was the founder of the Rime movement. So they express what we are here in this place.
Today we can meet them as the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje and the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche.
We are more an institution than a community. This institution is supported by the association of the same name. It is registered since 1984 and charitable. We understand the association as a tool for the implementation of the purpose of the association. The purposes of the association include the establishment of a temple and the construction of a monastery and temple complex in which the study and practice of Buddhist teachings is made possible.
H.E. the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and H.H. the 16th Karmapa
Furthermore, the purpose of the association includes the creation of facilities for one- and three-year retreats and the invitation of teachers of Buddhist teachings, especially from the Karma Kagyu tradition. Events, courses and training seminars of the various Buddhist schools, the establishment and maintenance of a library for the study of Buddhist texts, as well as the creation of a department for scientific literature. Preservation of Buddhist artifacts and care of Buddhist art and cultural forms. Support of Buddhist monasteries and religious institutions in the country of origin and traditional areas of Buddhism. Conducting and supporting events that promote encounters with the Buddhist culture and perspective. Implementation and support of events promoting interreligious dialogue. Establishment of Buddhist schools and kindergartens, as well as development of fundamentals of Buddhist education as well as support of ethics education. Promotion of training in terminal care. Carrying out charitable activities and creating associated institutions (e.g. poor meals).
Over many years, the Dharma teacher Jogi Horst R. Brumm and the retired doctor Dr. Brigitte König have been the mainstay of the Institute. Both were for many years the chairmen of the association.
In 2021, Jobst and Kathrin Pflanz took over the board of the association.
H.E. the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and H.H. the 17th Karmapa
Jobst Pflanz – Head of the Institute and First Chairman
Jobst Pflanz was born in 1973 and grew up in Berlin. Jobst has been active in the Karma Tengyal Ling since 1991. Originally trained as a nurse, he later completed a degree in computer science. Besides his work as software developer, he is the head of Karma Tengyal Ling since 2021.
Kathrin Pflanz – Second Chairman
Kathrin Pflanz was born in 1978 and grew up in the south of Berlin. She has been associated with Karma Tengyal Ling since meeting her husband Jobst. For many years Kathrin worked as a nurse in a Berlin hospital. Kathrin and Jobst have two daughters and moved in the summer of 2021 from Berlin Steglitz to beautiful Stechlin – Menz. There, all four now live “under the roof” of the Buddhist Institute. She has hung up her nurse's coat for the time being in order to have time and energy for association activities, combined with the family tohubohu.
Dr. Brigitte König – Assessor
Dr. Brigitte König came to the institution Karma Tengyal Ling in 1984, which at the time was still in West Berlin. She grew up in Baden-Württemberg. She moved to West Berlin to study medicine. After successfully completing her studies, she led her own dermatology practice in Berlin until her retirement. Then she moved to the immediate vicinity of the new location to better support the activities of the association.
Yogi Horst R. Brumm – Assessor and Dharma teacher
Horst Brumm has been with Karma Tengyal Ling since 1983 and founded the association of the same name one year later. Grown up in Rheinland Pfalz, he moved to West Berlin after completing a chemistry apprenticeship and military service to finish high school at the Berlin Kolleg. From 1994 to 2016 he was employed in the association. In 2010, he was appointed a teacher of Buddhist teachings and officially became a yogi six years later. Both he received from H.E. Mindrolling Khandro Rinpoche.
