The Karmapa at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, Woodstock, New York, on 26 March 2018. File photo/Kagyu Office
By Shri Puri | TNN
DHARAMSHALA, India, 1 April 2018
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has allowed the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje to visit Sikkim.
It is being seen as a goodwill gesture by the India government. Earlier, Tibetans were upset after the Centre had unofficially conveyed to the Tibet government-in-exile officials to shift the ‘Thank You India’ event from Delhi to Dharamshala. The event was to mark 50 years of Dalai Lama arriving in India.
Dorje will, however, not be able to visit Rumtek Monastery in East Sikkim, which is the official seat of the Karmapa. There is another claimant to the seat who has been asserting his status too. Dorje, however, was backed by the Dalai Lama.
The move has come following a relay hunger strike by monks in Sikkim which has crossed 630 days. Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling had said on March 20 that he too had written to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, seeking permission for the 17th Karmapa to visit the state whose capital Gangtok is home to his exiled seat monastery of Rumtek.
Official spokesperson of the Karmapa, Karma Chungyalpa, stated that they have come to know about this from the reports published online and awaiting official documents. “But if this visit is allowed it is going to benefit numerous followers of the Karmapa, not only in Sikkim but also in the Himalayan region,” he said.
The head of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism Ogyen Trinley Dorje was endorsed as the 17th Karmapa by the Dalai Lama in 1999. The Karmapa had escaped from Tibet in 2000 at the age of 14. The 33-year-old has since been living at Gyuto monastery in Dharamshala.
India’s tactic towards dalai lama and karmapa lama is passive-aggressiveness. Switch between a good deed and a bad deed which keep those lamas perplexed and unable to plan the next steps.
To plan the next steps, dalai lama needs to know what Indian government think of him, how much support he has, etc. But India sends mixed signals which drives dalai lama crazy up the wall.
Tony’s timely statement seemingly rings with a degree of clairvoyance, amidst the chatter and rumour about His Holiness’ possible return to Tibet.
The possibility of such noble ending after decades of dilemma is plausible, as Xi Jinping now holds the rein after demoting or arresting many hardliners for corruption, et al. Should this scenario translates into reality, it will be a win-win feat for President Xi, and ameliorate China’s image, at a time when China is poised to catapult to world super power status.
And then Zhou Enlai will roll in his grave and coocoo “Didn’t I say so?” That the snow lion belonged in the land of the snows, not in the tropical plains of India. That quip is beginning to ring so true.
Karmapa chenno. He’s the man to escort Dalai Lama to Tibet in 2021. They will both go back together.
Xi Jinping got president for life. So, he can afford this political move, despite hardliners. So Xi’s life-time mandate is good for Tibetan cause, not bad.
Tony, are you a seer? I too believe things will rapidly shift in the coming years.
India’s olive branch to the Karmapa to visit Sikkim but not Rumtek (the contest seat of the Karmapa) might encourage China to eventually allow the Dalai Lama to China, but not Tibet.
With Dalai Lama’s advancing age, the Dalai Lama is certainly considering a smooth transition following his demise when the appoint of a regent should be the historically acceptable norm although the Dalai Lama has several mulled over several options including a female candidate to succeed him or eliminate the lineage for good.
However, if the imposition of a regent becomes an unavoidable the present Karmapa could be the only candidate to win the heart and minds of the Tibetan diaspora.
It is something that the all-powerful and majority Gelugpas will accept or fight tool and nail to challenge an outsider, and how will the government of India will deal with.
The Dalai Lama himself has stopped talking about it for a while, but concerned Tibetan thinkers are worried about how things might shake up given the recent upheaval in the management of the Dalai Lama Trust, and the fact that Gaden Phodrang, unlike the times when it was being selectively staffed by CTA, is now open to infighting because of lack of professional team of administrators.
It is also open secret that Dalai Lama and the institution itself has become pretty rich, thanks to the Dalai Lama’s humanitarian deeds. The Dalai has become very charitable, opening his pockets to help international disasters and beyond.
Who would than believe that the Tibetan people in exile are poor any more….
Majority Gelugpas will promote Ling Rinpoche. Remember Gelug and Kagyu are bitter enemies since 5th Dalai Lama snatched leadership position from reigning Kagyus in the 17th century. But his lack of personality and historical prestige will make it hard for Tibetans to swallow.
Again, a new wave of controversity awaits, rememescent of Sharmar-Situpa combat.
But Indian government is unlikely to entertain both alpha monks. India is exerting pressure on Dalai Lama to return to Tibet by snubbing him occassionally, punctuated by acts of kindness, to drive him the point that India is not willing to fund CTA indefinately.
“lack of personality” Whose lack of personality are you talking about? You must be living in a totally different world. Karmapa has a strong, captivating personality and presence yet with a very noble warrior like heart. May he always remain steadfast in his Dharmic path of seeking truth and liberation.
He meant ling lama. Hh karmapa is a very strong visionary charismatic and leading figure no doubt. He would be extremely beneficial to the tibetan cause.
Finally it was high time whatsoever. Truth prevails. Long live his holiness the 17th karmapa ogyen trinley dorje!