News
Karmapa-media profile
The Guardian - February 26, 2010
'World's next top lama' to visit Europe
By Ed Halliwellhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/feb/26/karmapa-buddhism-lama
North India Times- July 27, 2009
Karmapa facing exile within an exile
By: Anamika Sarma
http://www.northindiatimes.com/news/117/ARTICLE/1262/2009-07-27.html
The Business Standard- May 23, 2009,
The Karmapa Breaks His Silence
By: Anand Sankar
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/the-karmapa-breaks-his-silence/358897/
Himvani- May 10, 2009
I-T dept raids Tibetan monasteries in Himachal
By: Ravinder Vasudeva
http://www.himvani.com/news/2009/05/10/i-t-dept-raids-tibetan-monasteries-in-himachal/2853/
The Times (India) - March 12, 2009
Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje: the hip-hop lama ready to lead the Tibetan struggle
By: Jeremy Page
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5891043.ece
Reuters India- March 2, 2009
"EXCLUSIVE- Among Tibetan exiles, a new "living Buddha" emerges"
By; Alistair Scrutton and Abhishek Madhukar
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/66156.cms
Thaindian News -March 2, 2009
"Z plus' security of Tibetan spiritual leader withdrawn"
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/z-plus-security-of-tibetan-spiritual-leader-withdrawn_100160153.html
NEWSWEEK - Feb 21, 2009
"Tibet's Rising Son"
By- Patrick Symmes
http://www.newsweek.com/id/185796/page/1
McClatchy Newspapers- Feb 17, 2009
" Meet a living Buddha: Young, handsome, with an old soul"-
By: Tim Johnson
http://www.newsobserver.com/1573/story/1307970.html
My Himachal- Jan 12, 2009
"Land for housing Karmapa monastery in Himachal yet to be settled"
By - Ravinder Makhaik
http://himachal.us/2009/01/12/land-for-housing-karmapa-monastery-in-himachal-yet-to-be-settled/9555/news/ravinder
PBS-RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWS WEEKLY- July 11, 2008
"KARMAPA LAMA"
By: Kim Lawton
TIME- May 29, 2008
"Ogyen Trinley Dorje: the Next Dalai Lama?"
By:DAVID VAN BIEMA
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1810314,00.html
NEWSWEEK- July 7-14, 2008 issue
"Tibets Holy Man in Waiting"
http://www.newsweek.com/id/143672
The Times of India- May 18, 2008
"Tibetans deserve care just like the quake victims"
By: Shoban Saxena
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Deep_Focus/Tibetans_deserve_care_just_like_the_quake_victims/articleshow/3049857.cms
Shambhala Sunspace- September 2008
"Kindness Is the Most Important Thing": an interview with the 17th Karmapa
Melvin Mcleod –Shambhala Sun Editor in Chief
http://www.shambhalasun.com/sunspace/?p=5099
"PRISONER OF DHARAMSALA" 2001
-Rashmi Saksena
http://www.karmapa.org.nz/articles/2001/saksena.html
The Observer- April 29, 2001
Interview with His Holiness
By: Luke Harding
http://www.kagyuoffice.org/karmapa.reference.media.observer.010429.html
The Times of India-Nov 5, 2002
"Boy Lama to Spiritual Icon"
By - Swati Chopra
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/27395909.cms
The Times of India-July 8, 2003
"I cant stay in Dharamsala forever: Karmapa"
By: Jagdish Bhatt
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/66156.cms
NEWS ARCHIVES
CURRENT NEWS
April 4, 2010
Dear Dharma Friends,
I am sad to announce that the proposed visit of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje was not approved by the Government of India. The visit was scheduled to take place from 27th May to 2nd July in nine countries of Europe.
The Kagyu Office, the Administration of Gyalwang Karmapa was informed of the decision by the Tibetan Government in Exile on 3rd April 2010. The process has begun to find out why this visit was not possible and what positive conditions are needed to make the visit possible in near future.
I know a huge number of followers and friends in Europe were eagerly waiting for the visit of Gyalwang Karmapa and I know that all of you are sad and disappointed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the organizers, volunteers and donors for working so hard to prepare for the visit in last many months. Your cooperation and support were beyond any expectations.
I hope and pray together with you that the visit will happen in very near future and that all of us would be able to receive his teachings in Europe.
Ringu Tulku,
Coordinator,
Karmapa’s Visit to Europe
http://karmapaeurope.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/visit-cancelled/
Dear Dharma Friends,
I am sad to announce that the proposed visit of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje was not approved by the Government of India. The visit was scheduled to take place from 27th May to 2nd July in nine countries of Europe.
The Kagyu Office, the Administration of Gyalwang Karmapa was informed of the decision by the Tibetan Government in Exile on 3rd April 2010. The process has begun to find out why this visit was not possible and what positive conditions are needed to make the visit possible in near future.
I know a huge number of followers and friends in Europe were eagerly waiting for the visit of Gyalwang Karmapa and I know that all of you are sad and disappointed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the organizers, volunteers and donors for working so hard to prepare for the visit in last many months. Your cooperation and support were beyond any expectations.
I hope and pray together with you that the visit will happen in very near future and that all of us would be able to receive his teachings in Europe.
Ringu Tulku,
Coordinator,
Karmapa’s Visit to Europe
http://karmapaeurope.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/visit-cancelled/
--Gyalwang Karmapas' 2010 Europe tour canceled!--
Source; karmapaeurope.wordpress.com
Source; karmapaeurope.wordpress.com
Phayul - April 6, 2010
Indian Govt shows red signal to Karmapa over Europe tour
By Kalsang Rinchen
http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=27055&article=Indian+Govt+shows+red+signal+to+Karmapa+over+Europe+tour
A Statement from the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje
I know that the Co-ordinator of Karmapa in Europe 2010, has already notified everyone that my proposed visit has had to be cancelled for reasons beyond my control. I was very much looking forward to meeting with my European students, visiting your dharma centres, giving teachings, and having the opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into the great variety of European life and culture.
I was wholeheartedly preparing for this visit so you will understand that I too was sad and disappointed when I learned that I would not be able to come this time. However, I hope that this is merely a temporary setback and that I will definitely be able to visit Europe in the near future.
It remains for me to express my gratitude to Ringu Tulku and all of you in the different countries and dharma centres who have worked so hard to prepare for the visit. Please be assured that your work has not been in vain or wasted. By these efforts, you have planted a powerful seed and when it reaches fruition my intention to come to Europe will be fulfilled.
Meanwhile, my aspiration and vision remain firm. I am determined to follow in the footsteps of the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, renewing connections with long-standing students and forging a closer relationship with all my European friends, past, present and future.
17th Gyalwang Karmapa,
Ogyen Trinley Dorje,
Gyuto Tantric University,
Himachal Pradesh,
India
7th April, 2010
http://karmapaeurope.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/a-message-from-his-holiness/
A message from the Karmapa - April 7, 2010
Source Karmapaeurope.wordpress.com
Source Karmapaeurope.wordpress.com
The Asian Age - April 8, 2010
Karmapa Europe visit put on hold
RAMESH RAMACHANDRAN
http://asianage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8240:karmapa-europe-visit-put-on-hold&catid=35:india&Itemid=60
Scroll down for links to archived news
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Click here for archived news excerpts
Asia Times Online - April 14, 2010
Entente cordiale blocks Karmapa Lama
By Saransh Sehgal
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/LD15Df01.html
Entente cordiale blocks Karmapa Lama
By Saransh Sehgal
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/LD15Df01.html
Newsweek Web Exclusive - Apr 29, 2010
Back to the Future
By Jerry Guo
One of the holiest men in Tibetan Buddhism explains how his flock should straddle tradition and modernity.
The 25-year-old Tibetan monk known as His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is a self-professed "Facebook stalker" who exercises using his Nintendo Wii and whose favorite Western movie is Kung Fu Panda (and yes, he's already seen Avatar). But this bespectacled man is also thought to be the latest reincarnation of the 900-year-old Karmapa, the spiritual leader of one of Tibetan Buddhism's four schools. Prior to his daring escape from China—which he fled by horseback, train, and helicopter out of fear the Chinese government would use him as a political pawn—to exile in the Indian Himalayas, the Karmapa was recognized as the next leader by both China and the Dalai Lama (although there is another Karmapa recognized by followers of another of the schools). Because of his unique position and his high profile, many Tibetans see him, rather than a not-yet-born baby (which is customary), as a possible successor to the Dalai Lama. His Holiness sat down with NEWSWEEK's Jerry Guo this week in Dharamsala, India, to talk about his life and Tibet's future. Excerpts:
***
I understand you have an iPod and even a PlayStation.
Someone gave me an iPod. But I gave it to a friend because I don't have a lot of free time, and it could be more useful to others. Someone gave me a Nintento Wii, actually. So sometimes I exercise with it; I find it quite interesting. I also use the computer and the Internet.
Given the restrictions placed upon you by the Indian government—where you can't leave the country, and your European tour this summer was canceled—do you use the Internet to communicate with your followers?
I use the Internet for work, to read the news, and for research. It's convenient, and because I can't go to other countries, I use e-mail and livecasting for teachings to reach my followers. I've personally only used the Internet for a year or so, but in the future we can reach all followers.
So, then, how important do you think the role of the Internet will be for the Tibetan movement?
There are already many Web sites for Tibetans, so we can use these as a way of finding out what's happening in Tibet. I don't know if Tibetans in China can see these Web sites, but it's a place for people to write suggestions and debate, so it's some help. It's a new environment for us, still a sort of novelty.
Your only trip abroad so far was to the United States in 2008. What was your impression of the country?
I was really busy for two weeks, flying back and forth between the West and East coasts. Some people said I would have jet lag, but I had no time for jet lag. When I was little I read some Western children's stories, so I developed a feeling for the West. So this was like living that dream, like I had seen it before.
Tibet's Chinese-appointed deputy chief, Pema Thinley, calls you a friend and claims that you left behind a letter promising never to "betray the state, the nation, the monastery, or the leadership." What did you mean by that?
My purpose was to receive teachings and instructions from the Buddhist tradition. Me coming to India [to study] was a purely spiritual trip. So I left a letter to make sure this trip wasn't seen as political; I didn't want my parents, family, and friends to get hassled. In Tibet you always have a fear that Chinese policy will change. Tibetan policy is different from other areas, because [the Chinese] can take extrajudicial action. But my biggest fear wasn't that I would disappear one day like the Panchen Lama [who at the age of 5 disappeared after the Dalai Lama declared him a reincarnation], but that I would be given a political [office] by the Chinese to, for example, curse the Dalai Lama. I was worried this would happen when I turned 18.
How is your relationship with the Chinese government?
There is no direct relationship ever since I came to India. Obviously they're not happy, because I escaped and they didn't know, so it's an embarrassment. Then I went directly to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I don't want to believe I'm an enemy of China, because I don't want to be the enemy of China. I don't have the heart to hurt China. The Chinese did recognize me. I was born in Tibet in 1985, when Tibet was already under Chinese control. To be Karmapa, you had to be approved—of course, not spiritually—by the Chinese government. The Dalai Lama also approved me.
Aren't you in a unique position to help solve the Tibet issue, as you're recognized by China?
To help Tibetans, to protect our culture, and to listen to the Dalai Lama's guidance are all part of my responsibility. I will do what I can.
Many people have their hopes in you as a possible successor to the Dalai Lama.
This isn't realistic—it's just people's wish. In history, the Karmapa is 900 years old and has always been the spiritual leader of Tibet, but never climbed into a political position. The Karmapa already has a lot of responsibilities, so others have to consider that. To push more on my plate, I couldn't stand.
Today's young Tibetans seem to want to leave Tibet, and those in India want to go to the West. Will this movement die out?
To preserve Tibetan culture is a big challenge, because in Tibet there is a lot of Chinese influence and outside of Tibet there is a lot of modern influence. So we have to think about how to combine tradition with modernity. In Tibetan schools, for example, we will want to study Tibetan culture as well as have modern education. Without tradition, you would be empty. But without modern education, you will have no way to exist in today's society. I want to help prepare Tibetans so one day when they have freedom they have the [skills] to organize their own country.
That sounds like you are arguing for independence and not just autonomy.
Of course I agree with His Holiness's middle way. Now you need more time to improve relations between China and Tibet. If a middle way is possible, then we can return and contribute as exiles. But no matter what, we need to preserve our tradition and culture. Tibetan Buddhism is welcomed worldwide, so it's important to global culture.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/237177
Back to the Future
By Jerry Guo
One of the holiest men in Tibetan Buddhism explains how his flock should straddle tradition and modernity.
The 25-year-old Tibetan monk known as His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is a self-professed "Facebook stalker" who exercises using his Nintendo Wii and whose favorite Western movie is Kung Fu Panda (and yes, he's already seen Avatar). But this bespectacled man is also thought to be the latest reincarnation of the 900-year-old Karmapa, the spiritual leader of one of Tibetan Buddhism's four schools. Prior to his daring escape from China—which he fled by horseback, train, and helicopter out of fear the Chinese government would use him as a political pawn—to exile in the Indian Himalayas, the Karmapa was recognized as the next leader by both China and the Dalai Lama (although there is another Karmapa recognized by followers of another of the schools). Because of his unique position and his high profile, many Tibetans see him, rather than a not-yet-born baby (which is customary), as a possible successor to the Dalai Lama. His Holiness sat down with NEWSWEEK's Jerry Guo this week in Dharamsala, India, to talk about his life and Tibet's future. Excerpts:
***
I understand you have an iPod and even a PlayStation.
Someone gave me an iPod. But I gave it to a friend because I don't have a lot of free time, and it could be more useful to others. Someone gave me a Nintento Wii, actually. So sometimes I exercise with it; I find it quite interesting. I also use the computer and the Internet.
Given the restrictions placed upon you by the Indian government—where you can't leave the country, and your European tour this summer was canceled—do you use the Internet to communicate with your followers?
I use the Internet for work, to read the news, and for research. It's convenient, and because I can't go to other countries, I use e-mail and livecasting for teachings to reach my followers. I've personally only used the Internet for a year or so, but in the future we can reach all followers.
So, then, how important do you think the role of the Internet will be for the Tibetan movement?
There are already many Web sites for Tibetans, so we can use these as a way of finding out what's happening in Tibet. I don't know if Tibetans in China can see these Web sites, but it's a place for people to write suggestions and debate, so it's some help. It's a new environment for us, still a sort of novelty.
Your only trip abroad so far was to the United States in 2008. What was your impression of the country?
I was really busy for two weeks, flying back and forth between the West and East coasts. Some people said I would have jet lag, but I had no time for jet lag. When I was little I read some Western children's stories, so I developed a feeling for the West. So this was like living that dream, like I had seen it before.
Tibet's Chinese-appointed deputy chief, Pema Thinley, calls you a friend and claims that you left behind a letter promising never to "betray the state, the nation, the monastery, or the leadership." What did you mean by that?
My purpose was to receive teachings and instructions from the Buddhist tradition. Me coming to India [to study] was a purely spiritual trip. So I left a letter to make sure this trip wasn't seen as political; I didn't want my parents, family, and friends to get hassled. In Tibet you always have a fear that Chinese policy will change. Tibetan policy is different from other areas, because [the Chinese] can take extrajudicial action. But my biggest fear wasn't that I would disappear one day like the Panchen Lama [who at the age of 5 disappeared after the Dalai Lama declared him a reincarnation], but that I would be given a political [office] by the Chinese to, for example, curse the Dalai Lama. I was worried this would happen when I turned 18.
How is your relationship with the Chinese government?
There is no direct relationship ever since I came to India. Obviously they're not happy, because I escaped and they didn't know, so it's an embarrassment. Then I went directly to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I don't want to believe I'm an enemy of China, because I don't want to be the enemy of China. I don't have the heart to hurt China. The Chinese did recognize me. I was born in Tibet in 1985, when Tibet was already under Chinese control. To be Karmapa, you had to be approved—of course, not spiritually—by the Chinese government. The Dalai Lama also approved me.
Aren't you in a unique position to help solve the Tibet issue, as you're recognized by China?
To help Tibetans, to protect our culture, and to listen to the Dalai Lama's guidance are all part of my responsibility. I will do what I can.
Many people have their hopes in you as a possible successor to the Dalai Lama.
This isn't realistic—it's just people's wish. In history, the Karmapa is 900 years old and has always been the spiritual leader of Tibet, but never climbed into a political position. The Karmapa already has a lot of responsibilities, so others have to consider that. To push more on my plate, I couldn't stand.
Today's young Tibetans seem to want to leave Tibet, and those in India want to go to the West. Will this movement die out?
To preserve Tibetan culture is a big challenge, because in Tibet there is a lot of Chinese influence and outside of Tibet there is a lot of modern influence. So we have to think about how to combine tradition with modernity. In Tibetan schools, for example, we will want to study Tibetan culture as well as have modern education. Without tradition, you would be empty. But without modern education, you will have no way to exist in today's society. I want to help prepare Tibetans so one day when they have freedom they have the [skills] to organize their own country.
That sounds like you are arguing for independence and not just autonomy.
Of course I agree with His Holiness's middle way. Now you need more time to improve relations between China and Tibet. If a middle way is possible, then we can return and contribute as exiles. But no matter what, we need to preserve our tradition and culture. Tibetan Buddhism is welcomed worldwide, so it's important to global culture.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/237177
Emmanuel Dunand / AFP-Getty Images
Hindustan Times - May 02, 2010
India denies Karmapa permission to visit Europe
By Gaurav Bisht
The 17th Karmapa's Ogyen Trinley Dorje's scheduled tour to European countries has hit a roadblock, after the Indian government denied him permission to go abroad.
Ogyen Trinley Dorje heads the powerful Karma Kagyu Sect of the Tibetan Buddhism, which has considerable following amongst Chinese and Tibetans. The 17th Karmapa was scheduled to make five week long tour to nine European countries.
The Karmapa was slated to visit Germany Switzerland, Denmark, Poland, France, England, Belgium, Spain, Scotland and the Netherlands. Karmapa's Dharma tour was to begin from - May 27 till July 2.
Karmapa's aides told the Hindustan Times that they have received information from the Tibetan government in exile about Indian government's refusal to provide permission for Karmapa's foreign travel.
"We have got information that Indian government had denied permission but there is no specific reason ascribed for denial of permission," confirmed Lama Phuntsok, Director Information at Karmapa's private Office in Gyoto Tantric Monastery.
The cancellation of Karmapas foreign tours has bewildered his followers and aides managing his affairs.
"The process has begun to find out why this visit was not possible and what positive conditions are needed to make the visit possible in near future," said Lama Phuntsok.
"I hope that this is merely a temporary setback and that I will definitely be able to visit Europe in the near future." Remembering this, we urge all to remain calm and collected," said Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, in a massage posted to his followers.
Though Indian government had not given any specific reason for denial of permission, but sources said reportedly Karmapa's tour program was too long.
Ugyen Trinley Dorje is considered the reincarnate of 16th Karmapa Rungjan Rigpe Dorje made a dramatic escape from his seat in Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet in 2000 taking the Indian security agencies by surprise.
Since his escape, Karmapa has been living temporary home in Gyoto Tantric Monastery, under the watchful eyes of security agencies.
Dorje is also known as the black hat Lama, his selection as Karmapa had courted controversy since Shamar rinpoche the second higest rankinbg monk of Karma Kagyu sect recognized Thaye Dorje as the reincarnate of 16th Karmapa.
Since his escape to India, the 25 year old Karmapa made his maiden visit abroad , following intervention of American government. Karmapa had than visited Woodstock, which is considered the seat of 16th Karmapa Rugjun Rigpe Dorje.
Karma on many occasion has expressed desire to visit Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, highest seat of Karma Kagyu in India. But due to controversy between the two groups of Karma Kagyu, Dorje is not allowed to visit Rumtek.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/himachalpradesh/India-denies-Karmapa-permission-to-visit-Europe/Article1-538448.aspx
Asia Sentinel - May 10, 2010
New Delhi limits Karmapa Lama's travel
By Saransh Sehgal
India clamps travel restrictions on an influential exile monk
The Indian government has moved to limit the freedom of movement of one of Tibetan Buddhism's most influential monks, the 24-year-old Karmapa Lama, refusing to allow him to tour nine European countries from May to July for a series of teachings, lectures and initiations for his devotees.
The travel ban has caused apprehension both in the exile community and among the Karmapa Lama's followers in the west. The restrictions come at a time when many in the exile community increasingly see the youthful monk, whose name is Ogyen Trinley Dorje, as the political successor to lead the Tibetan Buddhist movement after the Dalai Lama.
"The process has begun to find out why this visit was not possible and what positive conditions are needed to make the visit possible in near future," said Ringu Tulku, the coordinator of the cancelled visit, in an email to Asia Sentinel.
It is not necessary to look farther than Beijing. Dorje, who was named the Karmapa Lama at the age of 7, is a particular bête noir to the Chinese, who gave him recognition as Tibet's first living Buddha and had hoped to groom him as an influential and patriotic Tibetan leader, giving him gifts including a color television and a car. He ranks as the spiritual leader of the Black Hat sect, one of four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, behind only the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama in the Tibetan spiritual hierarchy.
However, to Chinese fury, in December 1999 the Karmapa, then 14, pretended to go into seclusion but instead slipped out a window of the Tsurpu Monastery with a handful of attendants. He began a daring 1,450-kilometer winter trip across some of the most forbidding terrain on the planet by foot, horseback, train and helicopter to Dharamsala, making world headlines and embarrassing Beijing. He was given refugee status by India in 2001.
Partly for that reason, the Indian government, virtually since the Karmapa Lama arrived in Dharamsala, has been careful to not annoy the Chinese by allowing him unfettered movement, according to a source in New Delhi, although it did allow him to visit the US in 2007. The cancellation of the European trip came just before the Indian Minister for External Affairs, SM Krishna, made an official visit to Beijing.
The restriction of Tibetans in exile has always been at the top of agenda for Beijing, which has complicated relations with India. Giving the Dalai Lama a half century of free movement has allowed New Delhi to use the Tibetan leader as a card to play in border issues with China. But India also recognizes that restricting the freedom of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's supreme leader, would create an international firestorm and may well wish he hadn't been allowed free movement in the first place. Thus restricting the young Karmapa's travel could be viewed as a way of stopping trouble before it begins. Permission to travel either to other parts of India or overseas is granted only at the discretion of the Indian government.
"In 2008, he sought permission to visit some forward areas of Himachal Pradesh and Leh Ladakh, but New Delhi refused," the Delhi source said. "Obviously, New Delhi didn't want to annoy the Chinese, who were hypersensitive about the Beijing Olympics and would definitely have viewed Indian permission to the Karmapa to visit areas close to the Chinese border just before the Olympics as an unfriendly act."
The Karmapa Lama himself in a statement to his Europe devotees said "My proposed visit has had to be cancelled for reasons beyond my control. I was very much looking forward to meeting with my European students, visiting your dharma centers, giving teachings, and having the opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into the great variety of European life and culture."
"I was wholeheartedly preparing for this visit so you will understand that I too was sad and disappointed when I learned that I would not be able to come this time. However, I hope that this is merely a temporary setback and that I will definitely be able to visit Europe in the near future," the monk said.
The youthful religious leader is hugely popular among young Tibetans, partly for his escape but also because of his undeniable charisma. He passes much of his time in the protected top floor of Gyuto Monastery near Dharamsala, a complex guarded by Indian policemen and intelligence officers who keep a constant watch on his activities. He is not even allowed to roam around the outside the complex without prior permission.
The Karmapa gives daily public audiences and blessings in the complex, with a limited number of private audiences twice a week. The media is mostly kept away. He is occasionally allowed to visit the Dalai Lama and for short trips to visit for religious functions, monasteries and schools in and around Dharamsala.
India is also believed reluctant to allow him to travel because his status is under challenge as the real successor to the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, who died as a refugee of cancer in Chicago in 1981. Trinley Thaye Dorjee is also vying for the throne of the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, the official seat of the Kagyu lineage. Both have been kept away until the matter is settled. The case is in an Indian court for a ruling on who has the right to the assets of the Black Hat Lama. His rival co-claimant lives in Kalimpong, India and often tours European countries. Although the Dalai Lama has endorsed Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the true Karmapa Lama, it is believed that the pretender has strong connections to the Indian ministry and it would have been easy for him to cancel his rival's trip.
Although the Karmapa Lama has spoken many times about his desire to enroll into a university for formal education, particularly to learn modern science, with his movement restricted, his desire remains unfulfilled.
The Tibetan government-in-exile spokesman Samphel Thupten said he respects the Indian government's decision. "We have always wanted the Karmapa Lama to visit places abroad to reach more students, his disciples. However, as the Tibetan government in exile sees it, it would be improper to speak against our host India; it is bound under the Indian authorities' decision and will follow that".
However, since the Europe tour cancellation has come into light, the exile community and Buddha practitioners in the West across has demanded urgent action, signing petitions and letters to the Indian government. Tibetan exiles and thousands of western followers from more than 30 countries have signed the petitions.
Charlee Parkison, a student of Karmapa Lama in the United States and her group are heading the global petition, called "The Roaring Lions," says thousands have signed their plea to allow the Karmapa Lama freedom of movement. "We want the Karmapa to come in West to teach us, his messages of compassion," Parkison said.
Lobsang Wangyal, an exiled Tibetan photojournalist, says India still has to prove what it stands for in terms of political freedom.
"It would be in the best interest of India to allow the trip," he said."Tibetans are not happy to see the current decision but hope the trip will be allowed eventually. It's just a matter of time; the restriction shouldn't have been put at the very first place as India loses face on the global level."
Saransh Sehgal is based in Dharamsala, India. He can be reached at info@mcllo.com
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2451&Itemid=174
New Delhi limits Karmapa Lama's travel
By Saransh Sehgal
India clamps travel restrictions on an influential exile monk
The Indian government has moved to limit the freedom of movement of one of Tibetan Buddhism's most influential monks, the 24-year-old Karmapa Lama, refusing to allow him to tour nine European countries from May to July for a series of teachings, lectures and initiations for his devotees.
The travel ban has caused apprehension both in the exile community and among the Karmapa Lama's followers in the west. The restrictions come at a time when many in the exile community increasingly see the youthful monk, whose name is Ogyen Trinley Dorje, as the political successor to lead the Tibetan Buddhist movement after the Dalai Lama.
"The process has begun to find out why this visit was not possible and what positive conditions are needed to make the visit possible in near future," said Ringu Tulku, the coordinator of the cancelled visit, in an email to Asia Sentinel.
It is not necessary to look farther than Beijing. Dorje, who was named the Karmapa Lama at the age of 7, is a particular bête noir to the Chinese, who gave him recognition as Tibet's first living Buddha and had hoped to groom him as an influential and patriotic Tibetan leader, giving him gifts including a color television and a car. He ranks as the spiritual leader of the Black Hat sect, one of four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, behind only the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama in the Tibetan spiritual hierarchy.
However, to Chinese fury, in December 1999 the Karmapa, then 14, pretended to go into seclusion but instead slipped out a window of the Tsurpu Monastery with a handful of attendants. He began a daring 1,450-kilometer winter trip across some of the most forbidding terrain on the planet by foot, horseback, train and helicopter to Dharamsala, making world headlines and embarrassing Beijing. He was given refugee status by India in 2001.
Partly for that reason, the Indian government, virtually since the Karmapa Lama arrived in Dharamsala, has been careful to not annoy the Chinese by allowing him unfettered movement, according to a source in New Delhi, although it did allow him to visit the US in 2007. The cancellation of the European trip came just before the Indian Minister for External Affairs, SM Krishna, made an official visit to Beijing.
The restriction of Tibetans in exile has always been at the top of agenda for Beijing, which has complicated relations with India. Giving the Dalai Lama a half century of free movement has allowed New Delhi to use the Tibetan leader as a card to play in border issues with China. But India also recognizes that restricting the freedom of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's supreme leader, would create an international firestorm and may well wish he hadn't been allowed free movement in the first place. Thus restricting the young Karmapa's travel could be viewed as a way of stopping trouble before it begins. Permission to travel either to other parts of India or overseas is granted only at the discretion of the Indian government.
"In 2008, he sought permission to visit some forward areas of Himachal Pradesh and Leh Ladakh, but New Delhi refused," the Delhi source said. "Obviously, New Delhi didn't want to annoy the Chinese, who were hypersensitive about the Beijing Olympics and would definitely have viewed Indian permission to the Karmapa to visit areas close to the Chinese border just before the Olympics as an unfriendly act."
The Karmapa Lama himself in a statement to his Europe devotees said "My proposed visit has had to be cancelled for reasons beyond my control. I was very much looking forward to meeting with my European students, visiting your dharma centers, giving teachings, and having the opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into the great variety of European life and culture."
"I was wholeheartedly preparing for this visit so you will understand that I too was sad and disappointed when I learned that I would not be able to come this time. However, I hope that this is merely a temporary setback and that I will definitely be able to visit Europe in the near future," the monk said.
The youthful religious leader is hugely popular among young Tibetans, partly for his escape but also because of his undeniable charisma. He passes much of his time in the protected top floor of Gyuto Monastery near Dharamsala, a complex guarded by Indian policemen and intelligence officers who keep a constant watch on his activities. He is not even allowed to roam around the outside the complex without prior permission.
The Karmapa gives daily public audiences and blessings in the complex, with a limited number of private audiences twice a week. The media is mostly kept away. He is occasionally allowed to visit the Dalai Lama and for short trips to visit for religious functions, monasteries and schools in and around Dharamsala.
India is also believed reluctant to allow him to travel because his status is under challenge as the real successor to the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, who died as a refugee of cancer in Chicago in 1981. Trinley Thaye Dorjee is also vying for the throne of the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, the official seat of the Kagyu lineage. Both have been kept away until the matter is settled. The case is in an Indian court for a ruling on who has the right to the assets of the Black Hat Lama. His rival co-claimant lives in Kalimpong, India and often tours European countries. Although the Dalai Lama has endorsed Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the true Karmapa Lama, it is believed that the pretender has strong connections to the Indian ministry and it would have been easy for him to cancel his rival's trip.
Although the Karmapa Lama has spoken many times about his desire to enroll into a university for formal education, particularly to learn modern science, with his movement restricted, his desire remains unfulfilled.
The Tibetan government-in-exile spokesman Samphel Thupten said he respects the Indian government's decision. "We have always wanted the Karmapa Lama to visit places abroad to reach more students, his disciples. However, as the Tibetan government in exile sees it, it would be improper to speak against our host India; it is bound under the Indian authorities' decision and will follow that".
However, since the Europe tour cancellation has come into light, the exile community and Buddha practitioners in the West across has demanded urgent action, signing petitions and letters to the Indian government. Tibetan exiles and thousands of western followers from more than 30 countries have signed the petitions.
Charlee Parkison, a student of Karmapa Lama in the United States and her group are heading the global petition, called "The Roaring Lions," says thousands have signed their plea to allow the Karmapa Lama freedom of movement. "We want the Karmapa to come in West to teach us, his messages of compassion," Parkison said.
Lobsang Wangyal, an exiled Tibetan photojournalist, says India still has to prove what it stands for in terms of political freedom.
"It would be in the best interest of India to allow the trip," he said."Tibetans are not happy to see the current decision but hope the trip will be allowed eventually. It's just a matter of time; the restriction shouldn't have been put at the very first place as India loses face on the global level."
Saransh Sehgal is based in Dharamsala, India. He can be reached at info@mcllo.com
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2451&Itemid=174
TIMES OF INDIA - July 15, 2010
India says no to US tour of Tibetan monk
IANS
DHARAMSALA: India has denied permission to Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa who is the third most respected Tibetan monk reincarnate and is recognised by both the Dalai Lama and China, to go on a two-week religious tour to the US this month.
His private office on Thursday said he was denied permission without citing any reason by authorities.
"The Karmapa was scheduled to attend prayer sessions being organised by Karma Triyana Dharamchakra centre in Woodstock in New York that began yesterday (Wednesday), but Indian authorities refused to grant him permission to visit there," Gompa Tsering, Karmapa's secretary, said.
The 25-year-old Karmapa is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu School, which is one of the four sects of Buddhism.
"We fail to understand that why restrictions were imposed on his movement as the tour was purely a religious one. Moreover, the government has not cited any reason for declining to grant permission," he added.
The Karmapa is considered the third most important Tibetan religious head after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. Currently, he is devoting most of his time in receiving teachings of the Karmapa lineage.
The Karmapa office in Gyoto Tantric Monastery got information from the Tibetan government-in-exile about Delhi's refusal to permit foreign visit.
However, the office of ministry of external affairs here has refused to comment.
Earlier too, the Karmapa was denied permission to visit European countries.
"He was scheduled to visit Europe for five weeks in May, but he was denied the permission at that time too. May be at that time, he was declined permission because the tour was too long. We hope the (Indian) government would be more positive and open towards his future religious programmes," said another Tibetan official.
The Karmapa, who lives in temporary accommodation at the Gyoto Tantric Monastery, was allowed to visit the US in May 2008 and that was his only visit abroad.
Born on June 26, 1985, in Kham region of eastern Tibet, Dorje fled Tibet and sought refuge in India in January 2000. Ever since, he has mostly lived in the monastery in Sidhbari near Dharamsala - the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
The Tibetan government-in-exile is not recognised by any country in the world.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-says-no-to-US-tour-of-Tibetan-monk-/articleshow/6171681.cms
The Nation- July 21, 2010
Possible Successor to Dalai Lama Under Virtual House Arrest in India
By: Barbara Crossette
At the end of a cold Himalayan December in 1999, a 14-year old monk made a phenomenal escape from a monastery in Tibet where his every move was patrolled by the Chinese. Fleeing by car, on foot and by horseback, he crossed some of Nepal's most forbidding terrain and found his way to India, where he settled at the feet of the Dalai Lama, seeking teaching.
Since then, he has been under virtual house arrest by the Indian government, circumscribed in his movements, and now banned from travel to the West, where he has a large following—and to the seat of his Tibetan sect in Sikkim, a once-independent Tibetan Buddhist kingdom that India undermined and incorporated in 1975. The reason for India's denial of the monk's freedom of movement seems plain. In a word: it's China.
The travel ban follows a thinly veiled warning by India's foreign secretary to the Dalai Lama last week not to say anything provocative on a visit to Ladakh, near the Tibetan border. According to Indian media reports, the Dalai Lama was told that ongoing talks between China and India on a range of subjects could be jeopardized by angering China. The situation echoes China's annoyance when an American president meets the Dalai Lama.
In the case of the young monk, he is no ordinary refugee in exile. The young lama being grounded by India, Ugyen Trinley Dorje, is the 17th Karmapa, believed by Buddhists in Tibet and China to be the reincarnated leader of the Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism, with many followers in the United States and Europe. In Woodstock, New York, an American home was waiting for him: the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Center, which the young monk's predecessor, the 16th Karmapa, had visited frequently. The 17th Karmapa Lama was allowed one brief visit to Woodstock in 2008 and was pleased to see its authentic Tibetan art and practice. In Tibetan Buddhism, the words lama and monk are often used interchangeably. Leaders of orders who carry the title of lama—the Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama or Karmapa Lama are the heads of formal monastic orders; not all lamas are ordained monks.
Last week, just before another long-planned two-week trip to Woodstock and other US venues, the Karmapa was told by the Indian government that he would not be permitted to leave India. No reason was given by authorities. In May a European trip was also cancelled abruptly without explanation.
"We don't understand it," said Thomas Schmidt, external affairs director at the Woodstock Buddhist center, known more manageably as KTD. He said that the center had always "tried to keep things in the religious realm" and not get in involved in the international politics of Tibet. Aware of India's skittishness, Woodstock had not advertised the Karmapa's proposed trip, as it would normally do in Buddhist publications.
What has happened in recent years is that the young Karmapa, now 25, has come into world focus as a strong personality with a charismatic style whom the Dalai Lama, now in his 70s, seems to be grooming as a successor as leader of the Tibetan diaspora. The two belong to different schools of Tibetan Buddhism, but that does not seem to be a concern. The Dalai Lama has been the cultural, religious and political voice of most exiled Tibetans, a role that transcends sectarianism. A master politician, he has effectively renounced any intention of seeking independence for Tibet, but has argued for autonomy and the preservation of Tibetan culture, now under severe threat from the large-scale movement of ethnic Han Chinese into Tibet and traditional Tibetan areas of China proper. Beijing, labeling him a "splittist" anyway, has refused to meet him.
In the case of the Karmapa, the problem for China is that before he fled Tibet into the exile opposition, the young man was recognized as an incarnate leader of his order by both the Chinese and the Dalai Lama. The Chinese cannot derail this legitimacy easily, as Beijing did with the Panchen Lama—or lamas, since there are now two, one recognized by Tibetans and the other backed by China a rival as leader. The boy the Tibetans recognize disappeared into Chinese custody 15 years ago with his family and has not been seen since.
The Panchen Lama—a title transferred to succeeding reincarnates—was once considered the second-highest ranking Tibetan Buddhist leader after the Dalai Lama. But China's manufactured rival candidate to the monk recognized by the Dalai Lama would not now be acceptable at any level by most Tibetans, who still back the original reincarnate. That leaves the field for second place open to the 17th Karmapa, and he seems to hold the promise of being a formidable voice. Young and strong, he already has a wide audience among Tibetans as a protégé of the Dalai Lama and could, however unwittingly, inspire Tibetan youth to revive their dreams of stronger resistance to the Chinese, a course the Dalai Lama has told them repeatedly would be suicidal. More important, the Karmapa is rapidly becoming a fresh new face for Tibetan Buddhism internationally.
For the time being, India, which preaches religious freedom and a special relationship with Buddhism, seems to be doing Beijing's will at keeping the Karmapa out of global view. At Woodstock, the Buddhists are perplexed. "People are getting fed up with this now," Schmidt said. "We have no idea why they are restricting his travel. We are disappointed."
http://www.thenation.com/article/37817/possible-successor-dalai-lama-under-virtual-house-arrest-india
Possible Successor to Dalai Lama Under Virtual House Arrest in India
By: Barbara Crossette
At the end of a cold Himalayan December in 1999, a 14-year old monk made a phenomenal escape from a monastery in Tibet where his every move was patrolled by the Chinese. Fleeing by car, on foot and by horseback, he crossed some of Nepal's most forbidding terrain and found his way to India, where he settled at the feet of the Dalai Lama, seeking teaching.
Since then, he has been under virtual house arrest by the Indian government, circumscribed in his movements, and now banned from travel to the West, where he has a large following—and to the seat of his Tibetan sect in Sikkim, a once-independent Tibetan Buddhist kingdom that India undermined and incorporated in 1975. The reason for India's denial of the monk's freedom of movement seems plain. In a word: it's China.
The travel ban follows a thinly veiled warning by India's foreign secretary to the Dalai Lama last week not to say anything provocative on a visit to Ladakh, near the Tibetan border. According to Indian media reports, the Dalai Lama was told that ongoing talks between China and India on a range of subjects could be jeopardized by angering China. The situation echoes China's annoyance when an American president meets the Dalai Lama.
In the case of the young monk, he is no ordinary refugee in exile. The young lama being grounded by India, Ugyen Trinley Dorje, is the 17th Karmapa, believed by Buddhists in Tibet and China to be the reincarnated leader of the Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism, with many followers in the United States and Europe. In Woodstock, New York, an American home was waiting for him: the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Center, which the young monk's predecessor, the 16th Karmapa, had visited frequently. The 17th Karmapa Lama was allowed one brief visit to Woodstock in 2008 and was pleased to see its authentic Tibetan art and practice. In Tibetan Buddhism, the words lama and monk are often used interchangeably. Leaders of orders who carry the title of lama—the Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama or Karmapa Lama are the heads of formal monastic orders; not all lamas are ordained monks.
Last week, just before another long-planned two-week trip to Woodstock and other US venues, the Karmapa was told by the Indian government that he would not be permitted to leave India. No reason was given by authorities. In May a European trip was also cancelled abruptly without explanation.
"We don't understand it," said Thomas Schmidt, external affairs director at the Woodstock Buddhist center, known more manageably as KTD. He said that the center had always "tried to keep things in the religious realm" and not get in involved in the international politics of Tibet. Aware of India's skittishness, Woodstock had not advertised the Karmapa's proposed trip, as it would normally do in Buddhist publications.
What has happened in recent years is that the young Karmapa, now 25, has come into world focus as a strong personality with a charismatic style whom the Dalai Lama, now in his 70s, seems to be grooming as a successor as leader of the Tibetan diaspora. The two belong to different schools of Tibetan Buddhism, but that does not seem to be a concern. The Dalai Lama has been the cultural, religious and political voice of most exiled Tibetans, a role that transcends sectarianism. A master politician, he has effectively renounced any intention of seeking independence for Tibet, but has argued for autonomy and the preservation of Tibetan culture, now under severe threat from the large-scale movement of ethnic Han Chinese into Tibet and traditional Tibetan areas of China proper. Beijing, labeling him a "splittist" anyway, has refused to meet him.
In the case of the Karmapa, the problem for China is that before he fled Tibet into the exile opposition, the young man was recognized as an incarnate leader of his order by both the Chinese and the Dalai Lama. The Chinese cannot derail this legitimacy easily, as Beijing did with the Panchen Lama—or lamas, since there are now two, one recognized by Tibetans and the other backed by China a rival as leader. The boy the Tibetans recognize disappeared into Chinese custody 15 years ago with his family and has not been seen since.
The Panchen Lama—a title transferred to succeeding reincarnates—was once considered the second-highest ranking Tibetan Buddhist leader after the Dalai Lama. But China's manufactured rival candidate to the monk recognized by the Dalai Lama would not now be acceptable at any level by most Tibetans, who still back the original reincarnate. That leaves the field for second place open to the 17th Karmapa, and he seems to hold the promise of being a formidable voice. Young and strong, he already has a wide audience among Tibetans as a protégé of the Dalai Lama and could, however unwittingly, inspire Tibetan youth to revive their dreams of stronger resistance to the Chinese, a course the Dalai Lama has told them repeatedly would be suicidal. More important, the Karmapa is rapidly becoming a fresh new face for Tibetan Buddhism internationally.
For the time being, India, which preaches religious freedom and a special relationship with Buddhism, seems to be doing Beijing's will at keeping the Karmapa out of global view. At Woodstock, the Buddhists are perplexed. "People are getting fed up with this now," Schmidt said. "We have no idea why they are restricting his travel. We are disappointed."
http://www.thenation.com/article/37817/possible-successor-dalai-lama-under-virtual-house-arrest-india
VOICE OF SIKKIM - July 19, 2010
We won’t rest until Karmapa is here in Sikkim: Monks
We won’t rest until Karmapa is here in Sikkim: Monks
Renewed mission to bring Ogyen Trinley Dorjee to Rumtek
Body formed headed by PD Rai to pursue the demand with Centre
Sikkim Express | www.sikkimexpress.com
GANGTOK, July 18: Calls for the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee to take his seat of power at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre located in East Sikkim have intensified with three major monasteries of Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism here collectively taking a lead.
The Gyalwa Karmapa is the head of Kaygu School of Tibetan Buddhism while Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre is the headquarters of this School. The three major Kagyu monasteries in Sikkim – Phodong monastery in North Sikkim, Ralong monastery in South Sikkim and Old Rumtek monastery have joined hands together to throw life in the dormant demand pending with the Centre to allow the 17th Karmapa to take his rightful throne at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre.
To back them were monks from several monasteries across Sikkim including the premier Pemayangtse and Enchey monasteries, both from Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, other associations and non governmental organizations. With the monasteries themselves taking the lead, the calls have acquired urgency with a strong support from the people and followers of the 17th Karmapa.
The first meeting of monks, management committees of the monasteries and non-government organizations had been held at Phodong monastery on June 12 and the second meeting was held at Ralang monastery on June 27. Both the meetings drew great response. The final meeting was held at old Rumtek monastery at Rumtek, 25 kms away from here today where monks and representatives of several associations participated along with the followers of the 17th Karmapa.
During the daylong meeting, speakers after speakers highlighted the need to refresh the pending demand on a stronger note to the Union government as previous representations and memorandums have failed to achieve the desired results. “There is only demand of the Buddhism followers of Sikkim. Our Karmapa should be allowed to come to his house (Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre). Until the matter is resolved, the three monasteries of Ralang, old Rumtek and Phodong will not rest”, said Ralang monastery representative NT Bhutia. A Joint Action Committee (JAC) has been formed to support the monasteries in their bid to bring the Karmapa to Rumtek.
“There is no controversy regarding who is the real Karmapa. That chapter is closed. Ogyen Trinley Dorjee is the real 17th Karmapa and he should be allowed to come to Rumtek”, said the JAC general secretary, Sonam Topden.
Former minister Thukchuk Lachungpa who is a member of the JAC said that the monks, representatives of various associations and followers of the 17th Karmapa will be conducting a massive rally in Gangtok to highlight the chief demand. “We will also be requesting the Chief Minister to lead a delegation from Sikkim to place the demand before the Centre for allowing the Karmapa to visit Sikkim,” he said.
Karma Tshering Bhutia, president of Old Rumtek monastery managing committee said that a body has been constituted during the meeting today which will be headed by Lok Sabha member PD Rai to take the matter ahead with the Union government. The JAC will be supporting the body which will also have five members from each of the three monasteries, he said.
Students at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre also voiced their demands for allowing the Karmapa to visit Rumtek. Without our Karmapa, we feel orphaned and we have been conducting five to six special prayers at the monastery for his visit to the monastery, said Bhaichung Bhutia, a student studying Buddhism at the centre.
Despite repeated requests from the State government and his followers, the 17th Karmapa who stays in Dharmasala has been not allowed by the Centre to visit Sikkim. The nearest place that the Karmapa has been to is Mirik in Darjeeling region where he has been conducting pujas at the local monastery on special occasions for the past two years.
While the three public meetings conducted by the monasteries which was attended by monks and followers from all the four districts have placed the demand in the public domain once more, the strategies to be launched in Sikkim on a higher decibel are expected to be implemented in the coming months.
The monks and followers of the 17th Karmapa is pinning their hopes once again on the State government, especially Lok Sabha member PD Rai. On his part, Rai pointed out that bringing the Karmapa has been committed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party in its election manifesto and added that the Chief Minister has been sincerely pursuing the matter with the Union government.
“We are definitely hoping that the Government of India will sooner or later bring the 17th Karmapa to Sikkim and towards that end, we will work. It is definitely a difficult issue, but difficult issues are what the SDF party prides on”, said Rai. The Lok Sabha member said that as a MP, he will be working on the matter in New Delhi with the help of the Chief Minister, cabinet colleagues, Rajya Sabha member OT Lepcha, Northeastern MPs and other interested groups.
http://voiceofsikkim.com/2010/07/19/we-won%E2%80%99t-rest-until-karmapa-is-here-in-sikkim-monks/
We won’t rest until Karmapa is here in Sikkim: Monks
We won’t rest until Karmapa is here in Sikkim: Monks
Renewed mission to bring Ogyen Trinley Dorjee to Rumtek
Body formed headed by PD Rai to pursue the demand with Centre
Sikkim Express | www.sikkimexpress.com
GANGTOK, July 18: Calls for the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee to take his seat of power at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre located in East Sikkim have intensified with three major monasteries of Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism here collectively taking a lead.
The Gyalwa Karmapa is the head of Kaygu School of Tibetan Buddhism while Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre is the headquarters of this School. The three major Kagyu monasteries in Sikkim – Phodong monastery in North Sikkim, Ralong monastery in South Sikkim and Old Rumtek monastery have joined hands together to throw life in the dormant demand pending with the Centre to allow the 17th Karmapa to take his rightful throne at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre.
To back them were monks from several monasteries across Sikkim including the premier Pemayangtse and Enchey monasteries, both from Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, other associations and non governmental organizations. With the monasteries themselves taking the lead, the calls have acquired urgency with a strong support from the people and followers of the 17th Karmapa.
The first meeting of monks, management committees of the monasteries and non-government organizations had been held at Phodong monastery on June 12 and the second meeting was held at Ralang monastery on June 27. Both the meetings drew great response. The final meeting was held at old Rumtek monastery at Rumtek, 25 kms away from here today where monks and representatives of several associations participated along with the followers of the 17th Karmapa.
During the daylong meeting, speakers after speakers highlighted the need to refresh the pending demand on a stronger note to the Union government as previous representations and memorandums have failed to achieve the desired results. “There is only demand of the Buddhism followers of Sikkim. Our Karmapa should be allowed to come to his house (Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre). Until the matter is resolved, the three monasteries of Ralang, old Rumtek and Phodong will not rest”, said Ralang monastery representative NT Bhutia. A Joint Action Committee (JAC) has been formed to support the monasteries in their bid to bring the Karmapa to Rumtek.
“There is no controversy regarding who is the real Karmapa. That chapter is closed. Ogyen Trinley Dorjee is the real 17th Karmapa and he should be allowed to come to Rumtek”, said the JAC general secretary, Sonam Topden.
Former minister Thukchuk Lachungpa who is a member of the JAC said that the monks, representatives of various associations and followers of the 17th Karmapa will be conducting a massive rally in Gangtok to highlight the chief demand. “We will also be requesting the Chief Minister to lead a delegation from Sikkim to place the demand before the Centre for allowing the Karmapa to visit Sikkim,” he said.
Karma Tshering Bhutia, president of Old Rumtek monastery managing committee said that a body has been constituted during the meeting today which will be headed by Lok Sabha member PD Rai to take the matter ahead with the Union government. The JAC will be supporting the body which will also have five members from each of the three monasteries, he said.
Students at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre also voiced their demands for allowing the Karmapa to visit Rumtek. Without our Karmapa, we feel orphaned and we have been conducting five to six special prayers at the monastery for his visit to the monastery, said Bhaichung Bhutia, a student studying Buddhism at the centre.
Despite repeated requests from the State government and his followers, the 17th Karmapa who stays in Dharmasala has been not allowed by the Centre to visit Sikkim. The nearest place that the Karmapa has been to is Mirik in Darjeeling region where he has been conducting pujas at the local monastery on special occasions for the past two years.
While the three public meetings conducted by the monasteries which was attended by monks and followers from all the four districts have placed the demand in the public domain once more, the strategies to be launched in Sikkim on a higher decibel are expected to be implemented in the coming months.
The monks and followers of the 17th Karmapa is pinning their hopes once again on the State government, especially Lok Sabha member PD Rai. On his part, Rai pointed out that bringing the Karmapa has been committed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party in its election manifesto and added that the Chief Minister has been sincerely pursuing the matter with the Union government.
“We are definitely hoping that the Government of India will sooner or later bring the 17th Karmapa to Sikkim and towards that end, we will work. It is definitely a difficult issue, but difficult issues are what the SDF party prides on”, said Rai. The Lok Sabha member said that as a MP, he will be working on the matter in New Delhi with the help of the Chief Minister, cabinet colleagues, Rajya Sabha member OT Lepcha, Northeastern MPs and other interested groups.
http://voiceofsikkim.com/2010/07/19/we-won%E2%80%99t-rest-until-karmapa-is-here-in-sikkim-monks/
Asia Sentinel - August 31, 2010
An Interview with the Karmapa Lama - Tibet's young lama seeks a role for Buddhism in environmentalism
See also: New Delhi limits Karmapa Lama's travel (below)
Written by Saransh Sehgal
Many in Dharamsala, India, the home of Tibetan Buddhism in exile, believe the 17th Karmapa Lama, whose name is Ogyen Trinley Dorje, represents the future of Tibetan politics in exile as well. He is extremely popular among young Tibetans, partly because of his 1999 escape from Chinese hands, but also because he possesses rare charisma. The Karmapa passes much of his time in the protected top floor of Gyuto Monastery near Dharamsala, guarded by Indian policemen and intelligence officers who keep a constant watch on his activities. He has busied himself by becoming increasingly knowledgeable about environmentalism.
The Indian government, virtually since the Karmapa Lama arrived in Dharamsala, has been careful to not annoy the Chinese by allowing him unfettered movement, although he was allowed to visit the US in 2008. Revered as the third-highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism, the Karmapa escaped from Tibet and enraging the Chinese, who thought they were grooming him to be their docile face of the Tibetan religion.
Last year he established an environmental protection group - the Khoryug (Environment in the Tibetan language), a network of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries which have jointly made the commitment to help protect the Himalayan region from environmental degradation. The participating Kagyu Buddhist monasteries are carrying out environmental projects under his leadership from India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Calling it Eco-Buddhism - Pure Aspiration, Bodhisattva Activity and a Safe-Climate Future, the 25-year-old Tibetan monk's efforts are regarded as a Buddhist response to global warming. Tibet is the third-largest store of ice on Earth -- nicknamed the "third pole," and it is an endangered one The Himalayan region's glaciers are the source of drinking water for much of Asia. He is reaching out to his followers to seek to revive the ecological consciousness of the Tibetan people.
"In order to save the Himalayas and Tibet from the threats of deforestation, climate change, and pollution, we have to be full of courage and believe whole heartedly that this endeavor is winnable" he says. "The alternative is unthinkable".
The Karmapa Lama sat down in late July at his temporal residence in Dharamsala to talk about his life, activities, recent restrictions imposed, and his need to travel overseas. Excerpts from the interview follow.
Saransh Sehgal: There has been great interest in your study of environmentalism, psychology and foreign languages. Is it because the restrictions on your overseas travel prompted you to spend energy on these subjects? What relations do you see between Buddhism and these subjects?
The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa: Generally, there are many people using different languages and studying different languages is to overcome the lack of language skill and have clear communication when interacting with some of those people who come here; it is sad when misunderstandings remain with those people who come here from faraway places.
Therefore, I put my best efforts into having, at the least, formal conversations with them. Studying modern psychology and Tibetan Buddhism, with ancient and modern going hand in hand, is to deepen and brighten my knowledge. In the case of environmentalism, the environment has become an important issue and therefore it is important to understand it. I do all this voluntarily to fulfill my personal and social responsibilities of leading a society. It is not at all a new topic I had begun because of overseas travels.
Q: You have been handling an environment protection group. What has the group actually done- what are the findings?
A: This environmental protection group we have here deals with basic issues such as raising environmental awareness, discussing environmental issues, finding and propagating the means and methods to protect the environment, waste management, cleaning the environment, the use of solar power for conservation of energy and planting trees. Generally speaking, we are able to raise new environmental awareness amongst our Tibetan community. What we have been doing deals with very basic issues; we have not yet reached a very high standard concerning protection of the environment.
Q: Will you try to help Tibet and China tackle pollution problems?
A: Our hope and request, which I think is important, is to consider environmental issues such as disruption to the natural flow of rivers, harm to river ecosystems, shortages of water and floods in numerous localities caused by construction of hydro-electric dams on the rivers of Tibet. The two nations, India and China, the most populous in the world, are facing the problems of water shortage and floods. This is becoming a very big issue.
It is not at all appropriate to treat the issues on which the very existence of humanity depends as political issues. As environmental issues should not be political issue, I urge everyone to deal with them sincerely and responsibly for the sake of humanity.
Q: Recently you have been denied permission to travel to the west where your teachings are being requested by your dharma centers and followers. Can you explain how this affects you personally and what would you say to those devoted to you who are feeling very disappointed due to your political restrictions?
A: In a recent development, I was to visit Europe and then the United States. There are people who have been waiting for this to happen for 20 years. But when it didn't happen, it broke their heart. Therefore, I both directly and indirectly tried to comfort them; with spiritual means I tried to bring peace and stability to their minds and expressed to them my hope for a visit to happen in the very near future. It appears that they are still harboring huge hopes.
Q: Were you given any particular reason for your trips to the west being canceled? If not - Is there a sense of frustration in you since most of your tours, well prepared by your followers, are being cancelled at the last minute without any reasons given by the Indian government?
A: I think you can ask government officers or other authorities about this. Maybe it's because the time allotted for the European trip is quite long; one month. Maybe this is a reason. This is a small reason, but perhaps for the main reason it would be best for you to ask them.
Q: Is it due to pressure from Beijing?
A: I don't know. The one reason we were given is that it is not possible. For details you should ask the concerned government authorities.
Q: Since your tour of Europe was refused in April, there has been a petition and campaign developed by some of your students in America to bring attention to your situation. How do you feel about your students taking an active role in bringing more awareness of your situation to the public?
A: As far as I understand, unlike we easterners, the westerners are strong-willed and have high hopes and expectations; with these characteristics they have undertaken such activities. Concerning the facts behind the cancellation, we have officially produced documents of clarification. Without clear knowledge of the situation and reasons given, and upon seeing me forbidden to make the trips, most of the westerners appear to have become worried.
Q: Can you explain why it is necessary for you to travel and teach the message of Buddhism and environmental studies to other centers outside India and Tibet?
A: Amongst the Tibetan Buddhist masters, the Sixteenth Karmapa was probably the first senior Tibetan master to visit western countries and establish dharma centers. He also sent disciples to establish dharma centers. He was the first to establish dharma centers propagating the Secret Vajrayana Vehicle in western countries. As the Sixteenth Karmapa visited western countries many times for the purpose of propagating the teaching, it is my responsibility to follow the path, and as the number of such dharma centers is much more than before, the need for making visits grows.
Dharma centers are not the only ones inviting me; there are universities, societies working in the field of Tibetan culture and religion, groups promoting interfaith dialogue, and organizations advocating protection of the environment who have also invited me. Being looked upon as a leader of a society, I intend to use these invitations as a platform for the expression of my views and for reminding people of the importance of issues such as environmental protection.
In Tibet, in the past, we did not have the necessary conditions for making trips to faraway places such as the west, but the lineage of Karmapa with its long history of around 900 years have been following a rule of performing activities by visiting various places in Tibet; not staying in a monastery but always in constant movement with tents as accommodation.
This manner of performing activities is a unique characteristic of the successive reincarnation of Karmapas. Not living in a specific place, but rather moving about everywhere and having face to face communication with disciples, has become a rule followed by Karmapas.
Q: Would you play a role in finding the real successor of next Dalai Lama?
A: According to the tradition Dalai Lamas and Panchen Renpoches choose each other's successor; if a Dalai Lama has passed away whilst a Panchen Renpoche is alive, the latter will choose the reincarnation of the former, and if a Panchen Renpoche passes away whilst a Dalai Lama is alive, the Dalai Lama will choose reincarnation of the late Panchen Renpoche. This is the way the process of choosing reincarnations works.
Q: What would you like to comment about the growing influence of China's picked Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu?
A: I met him on many occasions when he was very young. After his maturity, I saw some videos of him; he is calm and humble. Quite recently, I saw a newspaper reporting His Holiness the Present Dalai Lama's hopes of him. For us, he is someone born as a Tibetan given the title of Panchen Renpoche by the Chinese government, and it is my hope that he will use the advantages he has to bring changes inside Tibet.
Q: What direction do you see the dharma taking in the 21st century? As spiritual teachings and holy texts are said to be 'Living Words,' do you see Buddhist teachings growing and evolving?
A: In my opinion, in the 21st century mental peace has become a necessity; it is pursued even more strongly than before. It appears that everyone of this century is aspiring for inner peace much more strongly than before; it is not a matter of different religious beliefs. Being very profound and extensive in the practices related to the mind, Buddhism is full of skills to bring about mental happiness.
However, being a religion, for some individuals it is bit hard for some individuals to derive benefits from Buddhism. On one hand, one can follow Buddhism sincerely as a dedicated devotee, and on the other hand, in the 21st century, I think it is important to bring about a change to Buddhism and turn it into a social education, and not just remain as a religion, so that even non-Buddhists can study Buddhist teachings on bringing about mental peace and the practice of compassion.
I think it is important not to impose restrictions for them in doing so. For example, as a religious matter, in ancient times yoga was kept secret, as something that not everybody could practice. But now it has become open and accessible as a method to bring about physical health. Some of the skills that we Buddhists have, such as finding inner peace, and developing love and compassion, can be taken as general education.
Q: The Dalai Lama has been in exile for more than 50 years, and we now see much less hope in seeing him return to Tibet. What about you? Do you see any hope for you to end your exile life?
A: As His Holiness the Dalai Lama always says, and I believe, truth will always prevail. It is the hope of, we, Tibetans to see His Holiness return to Tibet and for the nation to enjoy peace and happiness. If His Holiness is unable to return to Tibet after the nation gains some sort of independence, Tibetans will face a day of both happiness and sadness, and it will be a half fulfillment of our hopes. I have great hopes that His Holiness will return to Tibet, and being of young age I have a hope that I will be able to return to Tibet. Even if I have to wait for 50 more years, I will wait.
Q: What advice would you give to young Buddhist practitioners who are concerned about the impact of recent environmental disasters?
A: The distance between humans and the environment is becoming wider and wider and likewise, we are bringing more and more harm to the environment by using it indiscriminately. Actually, before using the environment, we should think; it is very important to think of the consequences of indiscriminate destruction of the environment. Lack of mindfulness is creating a lot of problems.
Therefore, it is very important to be mindful of what we are using now and from where those resources come from. For example, sweet cheeps of birds and lush green forests are beauties; they are not something that we have created; rather those are naturally created beauties. However, if we cut down forests and harm animals, we are depriving ourselves of the natural beauties we enjoy; it is as if we are destroying the very sounds, smells and good tastes that we enjoy. Therefore, it is very important to be mindful.
Saransh Sehgal is a writer based in Dharamsala, India, who can be reached at info@mcllo.com.
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2672&Itemid=189
New Kerala.com - September 27, 2010
Peaceful congregation organized to demand reinstatement of Karmapa
UNI
A silent rally, spearheaded under the three monasteries of the Kagyu lineage - Phodong, Ralong and the old Rumtek - was organised here to press for the demand to bring back the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, to his seat at Rumtek Monastery.
The organisers - Karmapa Reception Committee and Joint Action Committee - maintained that they will press for intervention of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as it has been a long standing demand of the people of the Sikkim to allow the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee to assume his seat in exile at Dharma Chakra Centre, Rumtek Monastery.
The movement also saw significant support from the monasteries of other lineages across the state, publicity secretary of the Joint Action Committee Gyaltsen told UNI yesterday.
The rally also submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh.
The Chief Minister gave assurance to take initiative and said the two Members of Parliament (MP) from the state will raise the issue in both Houses of Parliament soon, the organisers informed.
The rally, which started from the Guards Ground Tathangchen and ended at the Palzor Stadium, was the largest peaceful religious congregation till date seen in the state, of both monks and devotees, totaling to about thirty thousand participants, from across 64 monasteries in Sikkim.
Kunzang Topden, spokesperson of the reception committee, informed UNI that Ogyen Trinley Dorjee was recognised as the 17th Karmapa by the Dalai Lama and subsequently by the Chinese authorities. But the Karmapa had to flee Tibet and he took refuge in India in January 2000.
Ogyen Trinley Dorjee was recognised as the 17th Karmapa, the supreme head of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism at the tender age of seven years. He was enthroned in the Tolung Tsurphu Monastery in Central Tibet on September 27, 1992, with Chinese permission and participation of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) officials, making him the only reincarnate Lama to be officially recognised both by the Dalai Lama and Beijing.
He fled Tibet as he was unhappy with the restrictions imposed on his movements by the Chinese authorities which prevented him from pursuing his religious studies and activities freely.
Since his arrival in India, Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee has been staying near Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, in a temporary facility.
Numerous Buddhist delegations from the Himalayan region had called on Prime Ministers Narsimha Rao, AB Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh, seeking their support for the settlement of the Karmapa in his monastery at Rumtek, Sikkim, which was built by his predecessor, the 16th Karmapa, as the headquarters of the Karmapa Lama and Kagyu lineage in India. These delegations were from the Buddhist organisations of Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Darjeeling and Sikkim.
Besides these delegations, former Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari and present Chief Minister Dr Pawan Chamling also wrote to the then Prime Ministers supporting the demands of the delegations.
The Committee has contended that since both Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh are integral parts of India, there should not be any discrimination in allowing the Karmapa to visit Sikkim by the Government of India.
--UNI
http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-50080.html
Deccan Herald - September 21, 2010
Delhi pressured to allow Karmapa visit Sikkim monastery
By Anirban Bhaumik,
At a time when Beijing’s stand on Jammu and Kashmir has cast clouds on the complex India-China relation, New Delhi has come under pressure from the exiled Tibetans, who want it to allow 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee to visit the Rumtek Monastery.
A large number of Buddhist monks and followers of Karmapa from the exiled Tibetan communities across the country are likely to congregate at Gangtok on September 26 next to hold a rally and mount pressure on New Delhi to allow Dorjee to visit the controversial monastery in Sikkim.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s Government in Sikkim is understood to have got in touch with the Union Government, particularly the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi, to seek advice how to deal with the monks, who are apparently planning to turn the congregation into a huge rally.
Keen to tread cautiously and maintain the delicate balance in its complex relation with Beijing, New Delhi has never allowed Trinley to visit the Rumtek Monastery, which had been built by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje in the 16th century and had since been the seat of the top spiritual leader of the Kagyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
The 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje had rebuilt the monastery after he had fled from Tibet to India in the wake of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s foray into the “Roof of the World”. It had been his principal seat in exile till his death in 1981.
India had earlier this year also denied permission to Trinley to visit the US and Europe, ostensibly keeping in mind the sensitivity of China on the issue of Tibet.
Karmapas have traditionally been the spiritual leader of the Kagyupa sect of the Tibetan Buddhism. Dalai Lama, the supreme spiritual leader of all Tibetan Buddhists, recognised Dorjee as the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa. But a section of the Kagyupa monks project Thaye Dorje, another claimant of the coveted title, as the real inheritor of the spiritual legacy of the 16th Karmapa.
“It has been 10 years since he (Karmapa) came to India, but still he could not visit the Rumtek Monastery. We don’t understand why the Government of India is imposing restrictions on his visits,” said K N Topden, an official of the Karmapa Reception Committee, which is organising the rally on September 26. “We have waited long enough. Our patience is running out,” he added.
Apart from being careful about its ties with Beijing, New Delhi is also reluctant to allow Trinley to visit the monastery as its permission would mean that it had also officially accepted him as the 17th Karmapa. India has so far been avoiding publicly taking a position on the row.
New Delhi had allowed Trinley, to visit abroad only once in the past 10 years.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/98507/delhi-pressured-allow-karmapa-visit.html
Delhi pressured to allow Karmapa visit Sikkim monastery
By Anirban Bhaumik,
At a time when Beijing’s stand on Jammu and Kashmir has cast clouds on the complex India-China relation, New Delhi has come under pressure from the exiled Tibetans, who want it to allow 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee to visit the Rumtek Monastery.
A large number of Buddhist monks and followers of Karmapa from the exiled Tibetan communities across the country are likely to congregate at Gangtok on September 26 next to hold a rally and mount pressure on New Delhi to allow Dorjee to visit the controversial monastery in Sikkim.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s Government in Sikkim is understood to have got in touch with the Union Government, particularly the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi, to seek advice how to deal with the monks, who are apparently planning to turn the congregation into a huge rally.
Keen to tread cautiously and maintain the delicate balance in its complex relation with Beijing, New Delhi has never allowed Trinley to visit the Rumtek Monastery, which had been built by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje in the 16th century and had since been the seat of the top spiritual leader of the Kagyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
The 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje had rebuilt the monastery after he had fled from Tibet to India in the wake of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s foray into the “Roof of the World”. It had been his principal seat in exile till his death in 1981.
India had earlier this year also denied permission to Trinley to visit the US and Europe, ostensibly keeping in mind the sensitivity of China on the issue of Tibet.
Karmapas have traditionally been the spiritual leader of the Kagyupa sect of the Tibetan Buddhism. Dalai Lama, the supreme spiritual leader of all Tibetan Buddhists, recognised Dorjee as the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa. But a section of the Kagyupa monks project Thaye Dorje, another claimant of the coveted title, as the real inheritor of the spiritual legacy of the 16th Karmapa.
“It has been 10 years since he (Karmapa) came to India, but still he could not visit the Rumtek Monastery. We don’t understand why the Government of India is imposing restrictions on his visits,” said K N Topden, an official of the Karmapa Reception Committee, which is organising the rally on September 26. “We have waited long enough. Our patience is running out,” he added.
Apart from being careful about its ties with Beijing, New Delhi is also reluctant to allow Trinley to visit the monastery as its permission would mean that it had also officially accepted him as the 17th Karmapa. India has so far been avoiding publicly taking a position on the row.
New Delhi had allowed Trinley, to visit abroad only once in the past 10 years.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/98507/delhi-pressured-allow-karmapa-visit.html
Voice of Sikkim - September 17, 2010
Karmapa Rally on Sept. 26
Thousands of supporters of Orygen Trinley Dorjee will congregate here on September 26, demanding that the Centre allow him to take over his throne as the 17th Karmapa at Rumtek monastery.
Dorjee has the backing of the Dalai Lama who endorses him as the 17th Karmapa of the Dharma Chakra Centre.
“It has been 10 years since the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa had come to India from Tibet, but still he is not allowed to enter Sikkim even though he was allowed to visit Bokar monastery in Mirik, which is very close to Sikkim. We want to know from the Centre whether we are part of India. If we are a part of India, he should be allowed to come and sit on his throne,” said K.N. Topden, a spokesperson for the Karmapa Reception Committee.
He said a number of memorandums had been sent to the Union home ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office with the request to bring back the Karmapa, but no response had come. “We do not know the reason for the Centre’s stand.”
A pamphlet issued by the committee to the people asking them to join the rally read: “The government of India must repose trust and confidence in the people of Sikkim. It has been 10 years since the Karmapa fled Tibet and took refuge in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. We have waited long enough.”
According to Topden, representatives of all 65 monasteries registered with the state government, monks and preachers from all faiths will join the congregation that could swell to over 50,000.
“The rally will be silent and the people will carry placards. We want to send a message to the Centre that the demand is not from a handful of people writing memorandums but the entire population of Sikkim, whose patience is running out,” said Topden.
On the controversy over who is the rightful claimant to the throne of the Kagyug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Topden said the chapter was closed. “The Dalai Lama has endorsed Dorjee as the head of the sect.”
On September 26, the rally will begin at 10.30am from the Guards Ground here and proceed to Mintokgang (the chief minister’s official residence) where a memorandum will be submitted to Pawan Chamling. “The Sikkim government has been very supportive to our cause, the chief minister has also written to the Centre on this issue,” Topden said.
http://voiceofsikkim.com/2010/09/18/karmapa-rally-on-sept-26/
The Guardian.co.uk - December 1, 2010
The Karmapa is Caught in a Political Game
By Norma Levine
As the 900th anniversary of his lineage approaches, exile in India holds no freedom for Tibetan Buddhism's revered Karmapa.
In December 1999 the 17th Karmapa – holder of the oldest and possibly the most revered reincarnate lineage in Tibetan Buddhism – leapt from the balcony of his monastery in Tibet into a waiting landcruiser to begin an epic 900 mile journey. He must have thought he was escaping Chinese control to gain freedom in exile in India. In fact, he was entering a labyrinth even more convoluted then the one he left behind.
The Karmapa had unwittingly become a key player in the complicated political game of Tibetan Buddhism under the Chinese in 1992 when at eight years old he became the first reincarnation to be recognised by both the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government.
He has now been living in extreme confinement for over 10 years. Only once was he allowed to leave India, in 2008 when permission was finally given for him to visit the US. Time, Newsweek and the New York Times, all carried major stories, hailing him as a significant future leader.
But in March 2010, the Indian government, having initially indicated they would allow a five-week European tour, did an abrupt about-turn refusing permission.
Why is this happening?
The Karmapas predate the Dalai Lamas by over 400 years. Unlike the Dalai Lama's dual role of spiritual leader and de facto king, the Karmapas have always been purely religious teachers revered for their enlightened powers. But the escape from Tibet on the eve of the new millennium into the welcoming arms of the Dalai Lama immediately made the 17th Karmapa into a poster boy for the Tibet cause.
The Karmapa's intention had been to receive the oral instructions of his lineage from his spiritual masters in India and to reclaim his monastic seat in Sikkim where his predecessor had settled in 1959 on his escape from Tibet. But on arriving in India he found himself banned from both his teacher's monastery near Dharamsala and Sikkim. The Dalai Lama promptly housed him in temporary quarters in two rooms at the top of Gyuto monastery. The Dalai Lama and the Karmapa belong to different schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It was like housing the archbishop of Canterbury at the Vatican. Confined to a small space, the young boy seemed like a caged lion, as he paced the balcony gazing towards the snow-capped mountains of his homeland.
Because of his close association with the Dalai Lama, he was increasingly hailed as his successor.
Headlines like "The new Dalai Lama" and "The world's next top Lama" sparked intense speculation.
"Clearly a serious and exceptionally intelligent 15-year-old. Few can doubt his credentials as a future Tibetan leader," wrote the Observer in 2001. "He is the only … reincarnation, currently recognised by both the Chinese and the Dalai Lama. He could be the hinge on which relations between Tibetans and China swing in a new direction," claimed Newsweek in 2009.
This speculation put him at the heart of a political game with the Chinese who are determined to wrest control of Tibetan Buddhism after the passing of the Dalai Lama. The situation is further complicated by Indian government suspicions that the Karmapa may have been sent to India to destabilise Sikkim, which borders China, and which China claims as its own. The machinations of the Tibetan exile government to hang onto a charismatic figure capable of uniting the Tibetans after the demise of the aging Dalai Lama, stirs yet more political intrigue into the seething cauldron.
However, in the 900 years of their history the Karmapas have been entirely spiritual, even as gurus to the emperors of China in the 12th century. "For … 900 years," he told the Times of India in March 2009, "the Karmapa has been a very apolitical figure … who has concentrated solely on spiritual leadership, not involved in any way with governmental leadership. So I think it would be very difficult to change that historical pattern overnight and turn the role of the Karmapa into something more than strictly a spiritual teacher."
When I met him in November, he reiterated that his spiritual role required freedom of movement. "Traditionally the Karmapa travelled a lot to different places to meet the people who wanted to see him. Ever since I became the Karmapa I lost my personal freedom and choice but I have gained the opportunity of benefiting others. But sometimes I cannot play the role of Karmapa anymore. I don't have the right environment."
What distresses him is to be caught in the game of politics. The Indian government have offered no explanation for denying him permission to travel. When they cancelled the 2010 Europe tour, word leaked out that the tour was "too big and for too long". Nonetheless, simpler itineraries over shorter periods were also turned down without explanation.
Now for the first time he categorically disclaims any possibility of succession to the Dalai Lama. Clearly the strain was becoming intolerable.
"There is already a system in place for the Dalai Lama's regency. It is not necessary to already be an important public figure in order to become the regent, if one has the capability. I have the responsibility of being the spiritual leader of a lineage and I don't need extra responsibility. I cannot do beyond what a human being can do. The name "Karmapa" means the one who takes responsibility for all the buddhas' activities. This is overwhelming enough. I don't need more."
• A two-day ceremony to mark the 900th anniversary of the Karmapa lineage will be held in Bodh Gaya, India on 8 December
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/01/karmapa-exile-india-political-game
The Karmapa is Caught in a Political Game
By Norma Levine
As the 900th anniversary of his lineage approaches, exile in India holds no freedom for Tibetan Buddhism's revered Karmapa.
In December 1999 the 17th Karmapa – holder of the oldest and possibly the most revered reincarnate lineage in Tibetan Buddhism – leapt from the balcony of his monastery in Tibet into a waiting landcruiser to begin an epic 900 mile journey. He must have thought he was escaping Chinese control to gain freedom in exile in India. In fact, he was entering a labyrinth even more convoluted then the one he left behind.
The Karmapa had unwittingly become a key player in the complicated political game of Tibetan Buddhism under the Chinese in 1992 when at eight years old he became the first reincarnation to be recognised by both the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government.
He has now been living in extreme confinement for over 10 years. Only once was he allowed to leave India, in 2008 when permission was finally given for him to visit the US. Time, Newsweek and the New York Times, all carried major stories, hailing him as a significant future leader.
But in March 2010, the Indian government, having initially indicated they would allow a five-week European tour, did an abrupt about-turn refusing permission.
Why is this happening?
The Karmapas predate the Dalai Lamas by over 400 years. Unlike the Dalai Lama's dual role of spiritual leader and de facto king, the Karmapas have always been purely religious teachers revered for their enlightened powers. But the escape from Tibet on the eve of the new millennium into the welcoming arms of the Dalai Lama immediately made the 17th Karmapa into a poster boy for the Tibet cause.
The Karmapa's intention had been to receive the oral instructions of his lineage from his spiritual masters in India and to reclaim his monastic seat in Sikkim where his predecessor had settled in 1959 on his escape from Tibet. But on arriving in India he found himself banned from both his teacher's monastery near Dharamsala and Sikkim. The Dalai Lama promptly housed him in temporary quarters in two rooms at the top of Gyuto monastery. The Dalai Lama and the Karmapa belong to different schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It was like housing the archbishop of Canterbury at the Vatican. Confined to a small space, the young boy seemed like a caged lion, as he paced the balcony gazing towards the snow-capped mountains of his homeland.
Because of his close association with the Dalai Lama, he was increasingly hailed as his successor.
Headlines like "The new Dalai Lama" and "The world's next top Lama" sparked intense speculation.
"Clearly a serious and exceptionally intelligent 15-year-old. Few can doubt his credentials as a future Tibetan leader," wrote the Observer in 2001. "He is the only … reincarnation, currently recognised by both the Chinese and the Dalai Lama. He could be the hinge on which relations between Tibetans and China swing in a new direction," claimed Newsweek in 2009.
This speculation put him at the heart of a political game with the Chinese who are determined to wrest control of Tibetan Buddhism after the passing of the Dalai Lama. The situation is further complicated by Indian government suspicions that the Karmapa may have been sent to India to destabilise Sikkim, which borders China, and which China claims as its own. The machinations of the Tibetan exile government to hang onto a charismatic figure capable of uniting the Tibetans after the demise of the aging Dalai Lama, stirs yet more political intrigue into the seething cauldron.
However, in the 900 years of their history the Karmapas have been entirely spiritual, even as gurus to the emperors of China in the 12th century. "For … 900 years," he told the Times of India in March 2009, "the Karmapa has been a very apolitical figure … who has concentrated solely on spiritual leadership, not involved in any way with governmental leadership. So I think it would be very difficult to change that historical pattern overnight and turn the role of the Karmapa into something more than strictly a spiritual teacher."
When I met him in November, he reiterated that his spiritual role required freedom of movement. "Traditionally the Karmapa travelled a lot to different places to meet the people who wanted to see him. Ever since I became the Karmapa I lost my personal freedom and choice but I have gained the opportunity of benefiting others. But sometimes I cannot play the role of Karmapa anymore. I don't have the right environment."
What distresses him is to be caught in the game of politics. The Indian government have offered no explanation for denying him permission to travel. When they cancelled the 2010 Europe tour, word leaked out that the tour was "too big and for too long". Nonetheless, simpler itineraries over shorter periods were also turned down without explanation.
Now for the first time he categorically disclaims any possibility of succession to the Dalai Lama. Clearly the strain was becoming intolerable.
"There is already a system in place for the Dalai Lama's regency. It is not necessary to already be an important public figure in order to become the regent, if one has the capability. I have the responsibility of being the spiritual leader of a lineage and I don't need extra responsibility. I cannot do beyond what a human being can do. The name "Karmapa" means the one who takes responsibility for all the buddhas' activities. This is overwhelming enough. I don't need more."
• A two-day ceremony to mark the 900th anniversary of the Karmapa lineage will be held in Bodh Gaya, India on 8 December
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/01/karmapa-exile-india-political-game