The Karmapa in North America in September 2018. File photo/Facebook
By Lobsang Wangyal
McLEOD GANJ, India, 27 November 2019
One of the high-profile Tibetan Buddhist leaders, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, was absent from the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference. He was represented by Gorshe Gyaltsab Rinpoche.
Tibet Sun has reliably learned that the Karmapa requested Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche to attend the conference on his behalf. Karmapa passed on his ideas, opinions, and messages to Gyaltsab Rinpoche to be delivered at the conference.
It has been reported that the Karmapa had been denied a visa by the Indian authorities for him to attend the conference.
He applied for a visa last year to attend the conference, but his request was denied by the Indian authorities. The conference was originally planned for November last year, but was postponed due to the death of Kathok Getse Rinpoche, the 7th head of the Nyingmapa Tradition.
The Karmapa left India in May 2017, and took citizenship and passport of Dominica, a Caribbean island country. He has been living between the US and European countries. He is believed to be in Germany at the moment.
Taking the Dominica citizenship is said to have angered the Indian authorities, and it was this contentious issue that led to the denial of a visa.
The Indian authorities suggest that he use the Identity Certificate (a document issued by the Government of India to Tibetans for travelling purpose) to process the visa, but he reportedly refused the idea.
He was blamed for being a ‘Chinese spy’ by the Indian authorities, a charge that was never lifted from him. In 2011, he got entangled in a cash haul from his temporary residence at the Gyuto Monastery. He was cleared of any charges, but the cash amounting to US$1.6 million was never returned.
He has been seen as one of the Tibetan Buddhist leaders who will play a major role after the current 14th Dalai Lama, who is 84, passes away. The Dalai Lama is considered the supreme religious leader of the Tibetan people.
When he was 14 years old, Ogyen Trinley Dorje hoodwinked the Chinese authorities in Tibet and escaped to India via Nepal in December 1999, arriving in McLeod Ganj, the exile home of the Dalai Lama, on 5 January 2000, becoming his close confidant.
He has lived at the Gyuto Monastery since then, until he left India one and a half years ago.
Edit 28 November 2019 11:35am IST: Information added about Karmapa requesting Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche.
Well, obviously this guy is not all-knowing Karmapa as claimed. Hearing stories about the 16th Karmapa and how amazing he was, I doubt the Tibetans found the right Karmapa incarnate. I mean think about it, if you are the Karmapa with such good karma, and vision, and knower of three times, will you really put yourself in the situation you are in? The 16th Karmapa Rigpe Dorje used to be friends and hang out with Indira Gandhi, The Pope, US Presidents, UN Chief etc, and blow their minds with his power and compassion. Now, that’s more like I would consider the karma that comes with being the Karmapa.
I guess in your world the “right” Karmapa would be Thaye dorjee with a wife and babies and in-laws. One who has to feed and burp and wipe baby butt.
I feel that Karmapa had decided the right thing by leaving India. He was treated badly throughout his stay of 17 years in India. He rejected China, and foiled Chinese designs of turning him against the HH the Dalai Lama, and escaped to India to join him and the Tibetan movement. India branded him a Chinese spy!
It is said that the late Shamarpa manipulated (with benefits?) some high officials of the GoI. The influence of these decision makers led to the situation the Karmapa was in. Since it’s all hear say, it is uncertain how much truth is there in these hear say. If there’s any truth in these, and although these doesn’t reflect the real feelings of the people and the GoI towards the Karmapa, these bad decisions went on for a long time, and the damage is already done.
I feel that the Karmapa should remain in the West, concentrate on his studies, practice and learn language skills. With the growing Tibetan population in the West (the number of Tibetans in India has reduced extensively), he could be useful for the Tibetan Diaspora in the West, the western followers, and teach his global followers online from time to time.
If India wants him back, he should come only if he’s totally free to live a free life, that he’s allowed to travel freely (excluding Rumtek and the border areas) and carry out his activities (dharma, social and environmental) that he likes to serve. And possibly let him build his own monastery at a place according to his own choosing.
May the Indian government recognise its misunderstanding and grant a visa to His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa instead of depriving thousands of local followers of his blessings.
If they do not like the countless numbers of Chinese devotees from the mainland they can deny their visas and he will arrange to meet them elsewhere if possible … such as Malaysia or Thailand.
To the commentator Tibetan Bhu:
You have made malicious accusations against the Karmapa – the prime one being that Karmapa will be selecting PRC’s 15th Dalai Lama. This sounds like one sly mischief making, pot stirring, age old sectarian nonsense. Since you brought up this topic you might seriously want to delve into the fact that the CCP will make use of the current very high (mostly) Gelugpa lamas holding important party positions in TAR to do this job for them.
Mr Claude Arpi has talked about and listed these well known persons. The double jeopardy being that several of these high ranking lamas are or rumoured to belong to the opposition Gelugpa faction. That is Serious.
The Karmapa was recognised by the CCP in 1992, and since then he was groomed to be a counterweight against the Dalai Lama. It all fell apart in 1999 when the Karmapa made his daring escape from Tsurphu monastery to India. However, the CCP hasn’t given up on him and has so far never criticised him even when the Karmapa did venture to criticise the CCP. They have held onto the hope that he will return. The reason is this: Rinpoche himself admitted that he had left a letter when he fled Tibet. In it he had said, “I have made failed efforts to go abroad. Now, having no other option, I am doing this way as a final solution. However, in the future if I could be beneficial to Tibet, I will return soon”.
China has been banking on this and has made concerted efforts to lure the Karmapa away from the Dalai Lama. Whether the Karmapa plays into the Chinese hand or not remains to be seen, but being a Mandarin-speaking Lama and wooed by a powerful patron like China would be great challenge for him.
China’s master plan is to have as many prominent Lamas of high stature to anoint their candidate. There are Geluk Lamas like Gyaltsen Norbu, Phakalha, Reting Tulku, Jamyang Shedpa, and Tsomonling, including two Lamas who returned from exile. However, they don’t have the stature of the Karmapa internationally and that is why the CCP is desperate to rope in the Karmapa for their cause. They are using the rift between the Ganden Phodrang and Kagyudpas in 1648 to their advantage by encouraging the rise of the Kagyudpas to counter the influence of the Dalai Lama in Tibet.
We have to understand the diabolical machinations of the CCP and defend ourselves rather than accuse each other of sectarian bias that is used by our enemy to divide us. I believe that we are all followers of the same Buddha.
Tibet Bhu –
The Karmapa was recognized by three of the four “heart sons” (yap-seys) of the Karmapas. This according to undeniable Tibetan religious tradition in particular to the Karma Kagyu. (Suporting letter with names leading to the yangsi‘s parentage and village were left behind by the 16th Karmapa).
With skillful means (again age-old method employed sometimes in times of turmoil, danger, and stress) Tsurphu Labdrang and the three heart sons followed political protocol and sought stamp of approval from the Chinese authorities of TAR. By your logic you are undermining The Dalai Lama’s approval of Karmapa Ogyen Trinley. (oh wait — according to your convoluted logic — Karmapa undertook this exodus to act as CCP agent — You are entitled to your smug conspiracy theory of course originating from past centuries).
The Gelugpa lamas who returned to Tibet (TAR) are brave indeed, but I would have to certainly question their LOYALTIES.
And the current high Gelugpa lamas in power in TAR are not so weak and clueless as to accept the final say of their 15th Dalai Lama from a non-Gelugpa. All the Tibetan traditions don’t overstep that boundary. In free Tibet each tradition did their own ‘search’ and then sought approval by visiting Gandhen Phodrang Lhasa the ruler or King of Tibet.
The Gelugpa split involving Shugdenpas is recent but you can trace the undercurrent tensions a couple of centuries back. There has not been a Shugden HHDL. The present 14th HHDL contemplated on His studies and researched to His final conclusion. No clinging to blind faith.
I don’t know about ‘Knower of the Three Times’ but I do have certainty that the Karmapa has more clairvoyance and foresight than most of us. I think he chose the best alternatives he could for the benefit of beings within the interdependent circumstances present to him. It’s all open-ended.
Exactly
As a Tibetan born and brought up in India, I was deeply saddened and shocked by the decision taken by Karmapa who has been seen by many, including myself, as someone who will act as the binding factor to the Tibetans when His Holiness the Dalai Lama decides to leave this world for the life thereafter. His Holiness himself seems to be putting a great deal of trust in Karmapa. Thousands of his followers in India may never see him again. This shocking decision has embarrased India which has been the best host for the Tibetans in spite of the political blunders it made to please China – its towering neighbour. I for one feel sad and disappointed by this decision of his.
He probably did not want to be used as some kind of pawn between India and China. With only refugee papaers he had no assurance from being sent back to Tibet for one reason or another. Indian government has suspected him to be a Chinese spy for many years and has not allowed him to open a bank account or acquire his own place to stay. Moreover they have not recognised or accepted him as the incarnation of the 16th Karmapa and not allowed him to even visit Rumtek.
It is understandable that he had not much choice but to take another nationality. By acquiring another nationality his Tibetan refugee paper become automatically invalid and impossible to use to come back to India. This angers the Indian government so much only confirms that they wanted to use him in their own game. HH The Gyalwa Karmapa is as devoted to HH the Dalai Lama as he has always been and a piece of paper does not change his standing up for all Tibetans wherever they are.
Government of India did look at Karmapa with suspicion of being a Chinese spy but slowly things were easing up for him. In spite of the restrictions put on him initially, he was slowly given more and more freedom to move around. He was even allowed to move to restrictive places like Tawang and Sikkim. As far as Rumtek is concerned it is a matter under sub judice caused more by multiple claimants to the throne than government of India. He was slowly allowed visa to visit countries outside India. As for the money laundering case, government of India raided his residents only after foolishness of his staff who carried large sum of money in cash which ultimately got caught at a town in Himachal. We should treat this as a normal reaction as no one is above the law in India. In the case he was completely acquitted of all charges. We should accept the error committed by his staff. He was even allotted a plot of land in Delhi to set up a Centre there. For us he is a high reincarnated lama but for government of India he is another Tibetan refugee like all other high reincarnated lamas of different sects who has no issue in traveling with RC. With His Holiness the Dalai Lama getting older, lamas like Karmapa should have lived in India to guide the Tibetans in the main hub of Tibetan refugees which is India. I am sad than disappointed by his decision to stay abroad just when things were slowly improving for him.
Govts are bogged down by bureaucracy so nothing surprising about India’s decision. Also unrealistic to expect Karmapa to stay put in the Gyuto monastery in Dharamshala. He has followers and centres all over the world. Karmapa did the right thing. Also maybe Karmapa wants to focus more on his religious/ spiritual aspect and not want to get too entangled in the politics. Anyway, many people were worried that Karmapa would take over after HHDL so guys you don’t have to worry. However, Karmapa I’m sure will always be there for the Tibetans when ever we need him.
As for some ppl here saying that China will use Karmapa and that kind of thing. You just don’t know what and who Karmapa is. That is all I can say.
I concur with you – Totally.
The paranoia in Some circles that Karmapa was “getting ambitious”.
And wasting no time to zoom suspiciously onto Karmapa when PRC announced their reincarnation plan of HHDL 15th.
Couldn’t even get their facts straight about the origin of the tiny nation of His current PP. Conspiracy theories started going wild. No courtesy offered by getting facts checked and rechecked.
Unbelievable. At least one important Tibetan site TR corrected their error – I think.
Relax people. Just keep the status quo.
When the very existence of a nation and a race is at stake, it is wrong to presume that the reincarnated lamas born as Tibetans has responsibility only towards preaching the Dharma. Though we have an elected body as political head, mentality of Tibetans are such that we tend to follow our lamas more faithfully than our elected leaders. So a person of his position can play a very important role in acting as the guiding factor for our elected leaders and binding factor for the Tibetans in general. But this role can be played much more actively staying in India where lies majority of the Tibetans in exile and where lies the Central Tibetan Administration. Though his followers may need him worldwide, a race without nation need him more.
Its a measure of dismay that the Karmapa has been absent in this very important meeting of the heads of Tibet’s religious leaders. Its even more concerning that the Karmapa has become an irritant in Tibet-India relations. Despite all the failures of India’s leaders concerning Tibet, no Tibetan can ever be ungrateful to India. After all, we are still surviving only because of the generosity of India and it’s people. Therefore, Karmapa Rinpoche’s adoption of citizenship of Dominica was a slap in the face of India. He was given asylum by India and was welcomed and embraced by the Dalai Lama and was highly respected by all Tibetans despite the emergence of a rival Karmapa. What could have happened is, he had Chinese influencers among his “students” who were proxies of the CCP. They would have “advised” him to get the foreign passport to wean him away from the Dalai Lama and India. He took the bait and landed himself in the present predicament. China’s plan is to use the Karmapa to anoint the next Dalai Lama of their choice. The fact that the Karmapa received the passport of Dominica soon after that country switched allegiance to the PRC from Taiwan after 77 years of diplomatic relation demonstrate the Chinese underhand in Karmapa’s surprise foreign passport debacle. According to my information, the Karmapa is surrounded by “Chinese” and there are only a sprinkling of Tibetan officials in his entourage. The fact that a huge amount of Chinese money was found among the one million dollars worth of cash in his possession illustrate that the Chinese surrounding him are in fact Chinese nationals. The CCP is a cunning beast and they sent their influencers in the guise of “devotees” to many Lamas including the Dalai Lama. Time will tell the true story of the Karmapa.
Tibet Bhu, as a matter of fact, there are millions of Chinese people who’re following Buddhism and it is understandable that the Tibetan Buddhist teachers are much sought and respected by the Chinese Buddhist. Even H.H. the Dalai Lama clearly mentioned he is getting visitors from mainland China. As per your lame logic, even H.H. the Dalai Lama is a Chinese spy, and other Buddhist masters who got huge following among the Chinese masses.
So I think it’s better for you to investigate, gather required evidence and then come out. Otherwise you’re simply making assumption and lies to suit your own small narrow world.
I have NOT SAID, INFERRED, or BELIEVE that Karmapa Rinpoche is a spy. I don’t think any Tibetan does. So, don’t have such fertile imagination on your part. A person or persons who have a fear psychosis sees everything very dark and grim. Owing to their psychotic condition, even when the sun is shining brightly in the sky, they see darkness hovering around them. It’s not the fault of the sun but the mental condition of the individual themselves. I have no reason to disparage the person of the Karmapa. I respect him like any Tibetan and have no malice whatsoever. Why should I? In fact, I was concerned that he was absent during the meeting of the grand Lamas of Tibet in Dharamshala.
However, Karmapa and his entourage should be careful not to cause friction between Tibetans in India and the Government of India. As a prominent Tibetan Lama, he has a responsibility to make sure his actions do not cause any misunderstanding that would in any way contribute to Indian public opinion turning against the Tibetans living in India. I am saying this in the light of the present relationship between Karmapa Rinpoche and the Government of India. It’s in the interest of all Tibetans to be an asset to our host rather than a burden.
HH17K, during His 17 long years in India, did everything in His power to convince both India and the Tibetan govt that He is genuinely for Tibetan Buddhism and Tibet, and did not carry any other dimension. But both chose to ignore Him, and instead relished to keep Him under tight control – for whatever reasons. Any person of His standing and responsibility would of course want to try options. But it definitely doesn’t meant he is abandoning His responsibilities to Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism. And most of all His loyalty and dedication to HH the 14th Dalai Lama cannot be questioned at all. So today If HH has taken His stance while being abroad, the blame should be borne by the people here, squarely.
By the way India is a great democracy. This means there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. If we are fortunate, we will see the sun rising in India to see His Holiness in the land of Buddha once again. Anyway HH can come to other countries surrounding India. His new passport doesn’t necessarily bind him to the USA and Europe alone. Please open up your mind and let sun shine through. Don’t spit at the heaven. Spittle has the knack to fall on your face. With love to all and malice to none.
Exactly, fully agree with your comment and I am sure India will consider its options and receive him in India with all the respect due to him.
He has always been grateful to India, but to do his work he has to be able to reach followers everywhere in the world.
Tukje che i agree, stay positive is true Devotion and Refuge. Karmapakhyennoo!!*!!
The fact is that he was a virtual prisoner in Gyuto Monastery, unable to travel to teach even within India. Some years ago we invited him to visit the UK and Europe but he couldn’t because of Visa refusal. The reasons for this are many and complex, including rivalries and problems within the Tibetan community itself. Yes, the Tibetans will always be grateful to India for welcoming them when they had to flee their homeland, but the Karmapa was unable to fulfil his role as head of the Karma Kagyu Lineage stuck in the Gyuto Monastery so it’s not at all surprising that he escaped – there was a precedent after all, when he dramatically escaped from China!
Karmapa is the supreme leader of the Karma Kagyud tradition and hence there is no one competing against him. The Kagyud lineage is divided into four major and eight minor schools. Among them, the Karma Kagyud is the most prominent. He was at liberty to teach whenever he wanted in Dharamshala, and all the Tibetans residing in Dharamshala and those who have come across the Himalayas would have been at his feet.
New Delhi was circumspect initially in dealing with the Karmapa owing to Shamar Rinpoche’s uncompromising opposition against him and launched a smear campaign against the Karmapa, depicting him as an agent of the CCP to get a footing in Sikkim which was then a bone of contention between India and China. However, the Indian Government was slowly but cautiously allowing him to travel freely to the west and he was in the US during the Dalai Lama’s Kalachakra in Washington DC in 2009.
He made his maiden visit to Arunachal Pradesh in 2016 to a rapturous welcome in Tawang by the local Monpas. In March 2018, PM Narendra Modi’s cabinet gave the nod for Rinpoche to visit Sikkim except Rumtek Monastery because of the simmering controversy around its ownership. The Indian Government was making concerted efforts to mend fences with him. It’s not true that he was holed up in the Gyuto monastery as often claimed by his supporters. The only restriction on the Karmapa was travelling abroad and Sikkim. India’s cautious approach to Karmapa rose from their suspicion of Chinese designs rather than Karmapa himself.
As fate would have it, India’s olive branch to accommodate the Karmapa hit rock bottom when Karmapa acquired a foreign passport without prior consultation with the Indian authorities. The trust between the two is broken and there is no love lost between Karmapa and Delhi.
India’s olive branch was to suspect him to be a Chinese spy and use the controvery to restrict his movement. He was also not allowed to open a bank account or to buy land to create his own place. He had been offered to stay in Gyuto by HH the Dalai Lama as a temporary stay. He probably felt that he had overstayed his welcome and that Gyuto did not offer him the same freedom as having his own place. India also wanted to keep him in that position in order to use him in their China game.His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa has indicated many times that he has left China in order to receive Teachings and benefit beings. Since India has limited his freedom to do so he took the nationality of a Carribean Island that has nothing to do with either India or China. India government anger only shows that they may have had other designs such as possibly sending him back to China or whatever else. He has been trteated with shameless disrespect by the Indian press and government. There has never been any trust and no olive branch either.
Your geography is wrong. It’s the Republic of Dominica which supports the PRC.
The 17th Karmapa has a passport from the Commonwealth of Dominica, which is allied to the Commonwealth of Nations, formerly the British Commonwealth.