I am amazed by His Holiness: Rabjam, Private Sec. of Karmapa
In these columns, over last few weeks, we have come across voices of sympathy, of ignorance and criticism of the Lama tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. How does someone who chose to adopt Buddhism and is in touch of one of the most revered Lama sees it?
Tilak Jha caught up with Rabjam aka Rikki Catty-Hubler, the Austria born private Secretary of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorjee at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute, New Delhi. In a freewheeling interaction, the 50 year old devotee and private secretary of one of the most revered Lama of Tibetan Buddhism talks about her life, Buddhism, how her personal and professional have come together and the mystery called India.
How did your association with His Holiness started?
When I was still living in Austria, in 1992, a friend invited me to join a lecture on Buddhism. She was already a Buddhist, something quite rare in Europe. I went there and it was something that convinced me immediately. I took refuge after that, which is the first step on the Buddhist path. I started practicing Buddhism.
In 1996, I went to France where I met a Tibetan Lama who had established monasteries and retreat centers in France. I felt very connected to this Lama. I moved to France. I spent quite some time in the retreat and then in the monastery.
Karmapa himself came to France in 2000. At that time I was in a closed meditation retreat of a group of women. Nobody is normally allowed in such a retreat but he came there and that was the first time I saw him for the first time. He gave an initiation. Later we had some questions and answers.
Since 2000, he has been going to Europe quite regularly, traveling for 2-4 months usually in the summers. I had an opportunity to meet him again and again on those visits.
How and when did you become the private secretary of His Holiness?
Two years ago, in 2009, his representative in Europe told me that it would be good if I could go to India to help in the office. I immediately agreed for it. At that time His Holiness was in Kalimpong so I went there.
KIBI, New Delhi
Before 1992, you spent more than half of your life till now as a Christian. How do you see yourself before that and now?
Even though I was a Christian on paper in the sense that I was Baptised, went to church every Sunday as a teenager and received 22 instructions in my school days, I was not really a Christian after 17 or 18 years of age. I had lot of doubts about Christian faith though I still have a lot of respect for Jesus Christ. For example I still remember having learnt in school that if you are a sinner you go to hell. That didn’t make much sense since there is this idea of loving God. How can he condemn someone with hell?
Buddhism, to me, from the beginning answered all my questions. Most of the Lamas I met since 1992 embody everything they talk. In Christianity, I met many priests who didn’t personally convince me so much.
What do you think about Hinduism?
I don’t know really know much about Hinduism but when I went to Kathmandu, I found a great deal of tolerance about the different religions that have originated in India. They seem to coexist and there are many places of worship which are common pilgrimage for both people from different religions. There doesn’t seem to be any kind of contradiction and conflict. That is something that really impresses me.
How has been your journey with His Holiness?
From the very beginning I was very touched by him. He is a very authentic master and a great teacher and very pure in terms of being someone who is only interested in dharma. I slowly developed a relationship with him and after his representative in Europe asked me to come to India, I was very happy. I believe I have done my best to serve him.
How often do you get time to interact with him at a professional and personal level?
It depends. At times, it’s on a daily basis. At others, it’s once in a week. As far as personal is concerned, most of the times it’s hard to separate the two. For example if some French comes to interact with him, I am often the interpreter. The same happens during many question and answer sessions. What happens is that lots of my questions also get answered during such interactions.
If you had a son, he would have been the age of His Holiness.
That’s true (laughs). Actually my daughter’s son is almost the same age. But I won’t like to compare it. In the case of His Holiness, I am always amazed.
Tell me something about yourself, your childhood, your family.
My childhood didn’t indicate at any point of time that I am going to end up in India. My parents come from a very simple background but they did everything to give me and my sister a good education and I am very grateful to them.
When I was at the university in Austria, I studied English and French. For a while, I worked as a school teacher. I went back to university to study translation and interpretation with Russian as the second language. I also ran a translation office at the same time.
You have kids?
No, I don’t have any kid. I am married but we got divorced just before 1992. My husband is an English and we are still good friends. He is a translator and journalist and we started the translation office together.
At a time when we are witnessing conflicts world over including the recent incidents in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, do you see Buddhism as something people should think about?
I think if someone thinks about it sincerely, it can help in development of peace and harmony. Buddhism is about developing inner peace and harmony. Naturally this is something that radiates to people around you and gradually becomes broader.
Coming back to the role played by India, we find that it is the country where Buddhism was born and was almost wiped out. But again despite the fact that China, Japan and Taiwan have more Buddhists than India, it is India which became the home of the highest Lamas.
It’s having a comeback, a little bit. In Tibet, India is called a noble country because of the Buddhist roots. Of course India was very generous in taking all the Tibetan refugees when China attacked Tibet. India not only gave refuge, it also let them set up their monasteries and practice their life and culture. India has played incredible role in all of that.
This generosity of India is not visible when it comes to creating amenities and infrastructure when it comes to its own people.
I don’t know much about India. But you have a slogan called incredible India. That is so true but in so many incredible ways.
And bizarre ways…
Yes, in many ways. At the same time you have all these contradictions. I have met so many Indians who have very high level of education.
There is this Indian Institute of Foreign Trade nearby and I used to teach French to some students there for some time. The students work so hard. At times we used to have classes at half past ten in the night. All these contradictions remain a mystery to me.
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Karma Kagyupa
I am really shocked to hear about our fake lama from a foreigner. This is totally an interference among the Tibetan buddhist linage. First and Foremost, I would like to tell you that 99 % of the Karma Kagyu follower are disciples of Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorjey. Why is this lady naming Riki is treating fake lama as real one.
This is a question of legitimacy.
Stay away from this.
TILAK JHA .
Dear Karma,
As the one who has authored this post and has extensively covered issues related to His Holiness Ogyen Trinley Dorje as well, I would like to mention that a larger number of Buddhists have great respect for His Holiness Trinley Thaye Dorje. Both the Karmapa’s have devotees world over. In matters of faith one should not be over assertive and we request you to exercise maximum restraint not to hurt the sentiments of any faithful.
Regards
Tilak Jha
Karma Stopdan
Dear Tilak Jha, don’t distort the fact by writing such article without caring for sentiments other fellow of Karmapa followers. As Karma Kagyu has rightly said that “really shocked to hear about our fake lama from a foreigner. This is totally an interference among the Tibetan buddhist linage. First and Foremost, I would like to tell you that 99 % of the Karma Kagyu follower are disciples of Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorjey. Why is this lady naming Riki is treating fake lama as real one”. Shamarpa is always opposed to Tibetan Govt, when Tibet was Independent or right now in exile. He always have lots of High level Chinese connection and his puppet is and always visiting China frequently. And also he is trying to defame our Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorjee through his some of his high ranking official friend in Indian Intelligence. HH The Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorjee has been approved by Head / High ranking Lamas of all the sects of Tibetan buddhism, all the regents of Karma Kagyu approved him except Shamarpa and moreover, HH The Dalai Lama has approved of his genuineness of Kamarpa..
TILAK JHA .
Dear Karma,
While I agree with your contention and am fully aware about the huge number of supporters that His Holiness Ogyen Trinley Dorje has, it is regrettable that you do not want to acknowledge the very existence of another Karmapa. The very fact that His Holiness Trinely Thaye Dorje is there, has been to various countries of the world (not only China), has centers and devotees across the world and is recognised by no less than Shamarpa himself (Shamarpa has also been recognised by HH the Dalai Lama), means that he too deserves to be heard. We are not trying to create a controversy or hurt sentiments. We are just putting the information and opinion of all.
Regards
Tilak
Dae In
Ogyen Trinely and Thaye Dorje are certainly real monks and as such members of the sangha and owing respect. So the question is not if they are really or not who they are but why the title of “Karmapa” has been granted in accordance with new rules, by political rulers. If China would not approved to bestow such title, Ogyen Trinley would not have it. If Dalaï lama in his position of the head of the Gaden Phodrang (historical governement of Lhassa) would not have given his own commands to grant such title to Ogyen Trinley he would not have it. This is called new rules compared to what happened earlier. So whoever are they, Ogyen Trinley and Thaye dorje are real persons. What is the karma which led to give power to political authorities for them to make use of the title of Karmapa? This is the real issue.
Dawa Chodron
Just want to make one small point. HH Dalai Lama has acknowledged that both Thaye Dorje and Orgyen Trinley are the Karmapa. He did this first almost eight years ago. Since then he has had discussions with Shamar Rinpoche about how to resolve the issue of inheritance.
It is, in my opinion, good to remember that both Karmapas have many students, both in the Tibetan community and the larger international community. To be Karma Kagyu is no longer just for Tibetans, and hasn’t been since 1959 when our teachers were forced into exile.
Wonderful that there are many who teach and share the dharma. Even more wonderful that there are so many serious students of the dharma.
kar
Dear Tilak Jha,
Who are the majority devotees of Karmapa are you speaking of, the Westerners or Tibetan and Himalayan people in India, Nepal, Nepal, Bhutan etc.
Westerners forms tiny minority of the devotees. So just stop propping up fake lama.
Tsiu Marpo
Actually, it is totally inappropriate to demand that someone have faith in one Karmapa vs. another. Beyond that, the interference has arisen due to the fact that the Gelugpa lineage has attempted to insert itself into the Kagyu lineage which is unprecedented. In fact, given the fact that the Kagyu lineage pre-dates the Gelugpa lineage by 300 years it is truly astounding. In any event, it is truly wonderful that Rikki is serving the Karmapa and benefiting others. Too bad the same can’t be said for a number of individuals posting on this site who appear to be “fake” Buddhists.
The Sharmapa on the Karmapa Controversy: Now I will move away from your letter and present you with a question for reflection: if you use the political situation at the time of the 10th Karmapa to prove that the Dalai Lamas have the authority to recognize the Karmapas, you should also consider that from the time of the Great 5th Dalai Lama it has been obligatory that the reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas be approved by the Emperors of China. Setting the precedent that you attempt to do here, how will you prevent in the future, the Chinese government from claiming its historical right to recognize the Dalai Lamas?
http://www.karmapa-issue.org/news/open_letter_thurman.htm
Karma Senge
Shamar Rinpoche and HH Dali Lama, August 2010:
http://bit.ly/gAn6fY
Jacky
The Dalai Lama has only confirmed Orgen Trinley as the Karmapa. The fact the Dalai Lama met with Sharmapa doesn’t mean he supports Sharmapa’s boy – the Dalai Lama meets with all sorts of people, that is his job. Using the picture of the meeting to validate your claims is misleading. The Dalai Lama is the head of all Tibetan Buddhism and as he recognised the Karmapa as Orgen Trinley that pretty much ends the debate. Unlike other tulku lineages where there may be multiple emanations, there is only one Karmapa at one time, like there is only one sun in the sky at any one time.
Tsiu Marpo
The Dalai Lama is the head of all Tibetan Buddhism
The Dalai Lama is the head of the Gelugpa lineage only and, until recently, the government. The Karmapa is the head of the Kagyu ineage and his lineage pre-dates the Dalai Lama’s by 300 years. Maybe this makes certain Buddhas jealous.