Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting the Sutra of Golden Light at Mahabodhi Stupa, Bodhgaya, India, March 2014, Photo by Andy Melnic.

Ruediger Knie, a devoted German student of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, is undertaking a remarkable initiative: reciting the Sutra of Golden Light 21 times across 51 African countries. Lama Zopa Rinpoche made a personal vow to propagate this text and give oral transmissions of it in many parts of the world. Having the sutra recited as much as possible is also one of  Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for FPMT. The project begins in November 2026 and will continue for two to three years, totaling 1,080 readings across the continent!   

Ruediger has always sought to put Rinpoche’s advice into practice in tangible ways. His journey began with reading the foreword of the German translation of the Sutra of Golden Light, which includes Rinpoche’s guidance that the sutra should be recited in countries experiencing conflict and violence.  

 “I would like to make this request with my two palms together: to please recite the Sutra of Golden Light for world peace as much as you can.” – Lama Zopa Rinpoche 

Photo: Offerings in Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s room at Kopan Monastery, with Ruediger Knie Photo courtesy of Ruediger Knie

Although Ruediger has never been to Africa, he recalls: “When countless refugees attempted to cross the Mediterranean, and so many drowned, I felt a deep wish to help in a different way.” With the intensifying climate crisis and the continent’s growing population, he sees the potential for suffering to increase and feels inspired to create positive imprints through this practice. 

Traveling through 51 African countries—the 49 mainland nations, plus Madagascar and the Cape Verde Islands—requires careful planning. Ruediger intends to recite the sutra at least 21 times in each country, including the independence-seeking regions of Western Sahara and Somaliland. In Nigeria, the readings will be split between Lagos and the Biafra region. This totals 1,071 recitations. To reach the auspicious number of 1,080, he plans additional recitations in two of the poorest countries: five extra in Madagascar and four in South Sudan, over two to three years.  

“I deeply believe in the power of prayers,” he says. Praying in turbulent times is also the initiative that IMI Sangha started in 2022, following Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice for Generating Peace in the World. 

Photo: refuge ceremony, Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Ruediger Knie, Kopan 1997. Photo courtesy of Ruediger Knie

Ruediger first met Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 1997 during the annual Kopan meditation course. Since then, he has remained a devoted student, attending teachings and retreats across four continents whenever possible. Through Rinpoche’s kindness and skill in showing how to benefit others, Ruediger’s mind has been deeply opened and inspired. Over the years, he has organized a relic tour event and supported fundraising for the Maitreya Project. 

The first journey will begin in mid November 2026 and will cover 13 countries, with 273 recitations planned until March 2027. It will start in Côte d’Ivoire and conclude in Tunisia, followed by three more journeys to complete all 51 countries. 

Photo: Ruediger Knie with the Sutra of Golden Light, Bodhgaya 2026. Photo courtesy of Ruediger Knie

Given the fast-changing political situations in some regions, Ruediger will often recite near entry points such as airports and capitals to save time and reduce costs. There will be exceptions, however, where he hopes to read in places that naturally attract people, such as the pyramids in Egypt, Cape Point near Cape Town, and Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Where possible, he aims to recite in public spaces and to bring additional benefit by placing small Namgyalma mantras in airports, and, time permitting, blessing animals and the waters of rivers, lakes, and the ocean. 

Please join us in rejoicing in Ruediger’s ambitious plans to recite this powerful sutra in Africa! For more information, please contact him directly (goldenlight.africa@gmail.com). Ruediger will also be documenting his travels on Facebook and Instagram starting in October. 

Sutra Recitation for World Peace

Lama Zopa Rinpoche said about the Sutra of Golden Light, “This text is very precious; it brings peace and happiness and is very powerful to stop violence. By hearing this text, one’s karma is purified.” Rinpoche made a personal vow to propagate the Sutra of Golden Light and give oral transmissions of it in many parts of the world. Having the sutra recited as much as possible was also one of Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for FPMT. Rinpoche has said, “I would like to make this request with my two palms together, to please recite the Sutra of Golden Light for world peace as much as you can.”

At this time, with the world in trouble in many ways, actions taken toward world peace are desperately needed. 

Please visit our webpage dedicated to the recitation of the Sutra of Golden Light where you will find many resources and links, including:

• PDFs of the sutra in fifteen different languages
• Audio and video of Lama Zopa Rinpoche offering an oral transmission of the sutra
• Advice from Rinpoche on the benefits of reciting the sutra
• Instructions on how to dedicate your recitations and how to report them
• Stories from students about experiences reciting the sutra

“The holy Sutra of Golden Light is extremely powerful and fulfills all one’s wishes, as well as bringing peace and happiness for all sentient beings, up to enlightenment. It is also extremely powerful for world peace, for your own protection, the protection of your country, and the world. Also, it has great healing power for living beings in the area in which you are reciting.” — Lama Zopa Rinpoche

We have compiled resources to help you engage with all of the sutras we make available. 

We welcome the submission of news stories from those within the FPMT community. This can be a story about something you have personally completed or accomplished, about someone else who has done so, or about the FPMT center, project, or service of which you are a part. Ideal submissions will give readers reasons to rejoice, share ideas, and create connections between those in the international community. Have something to share? Please let us know!

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.