*TPI

Dharamshala: In a press conference, held at Gyuto monastery in Dharamshala on Sunday (30 January), Tibetan spiritual leader, the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee underlined five reasons why he had to seek refuge in India. The advisor to Karmapa office and Former Indian Ambassador to Mangolia, the Tibetan Finance Minister, Tsering Dhondup, Indian high court lawyer Naresh Mathur, several members of Tibetan parliament in exile and representatives of five Tibetan NGOs were present in the press meeting.

The statement of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, which was delivered by Karma Topden, Spokesperson of Karmapa Reception Committee in Sikkim was aimed at addressing the allegations leveled against the Karmapa. The press conference attended by major Indian and Tibetan media networks addressed the speculation that the Karmapa is a “Chinese spy” and “possessed money through illegal deals”.

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The five reasons:

1. Chinese wanted the 17th Karmapa to go against HH Dalai Lama and support the Panchen Lama selected by them [Chinese government]. The Karmapa did not want to go against the Dalai Lama. So he decided to leave Tibet.

2. HH the 17th Karmapa wanted to complete his spiritual studies. For the completion of his spiritual studies, he has to receive the oral teachings according to Karma Kagyu tradition from the gurus of his lineage who had also received them directly from the 16th Karmapa directly. All these gurus were in India and they could not come to Tibet to give these teachings.

3. HH the 17th Karmapa wanted to meet HH the Dalai Lama and receive blessings.

4. HH 17th Karmapa had heard a lot about the activities of his illustrious predecessor, the 16th Karmapa, all his activities in India and in Sikkim where he settled in Rumtek Monastery which became his headquarter in India. He wanted to come to India to visit and see these places. His predecessors in India traveled to other countries and spread the words of Dharma and set up various Karma Kagyu centres all around the world. The Karmapa wanted to follow the footsteps of the 16th Karmapa. Believing and knowing that India is a free country unlike Tibet, where there is suppression and religious freedom is not allowed.

5. When HH the Karmapa came to India he was given refuge in India. He is very grateful for the refuge given to him by the government and people of India and for all the courtesies and hospitalities shown to him throughout his stay in India. Throughout his stay in India, he has been conscious of his obligations to India and he has prayed for the welfare of the people of India and continues to do that.

The spokesperson added, “he has not done anything while in India in any way to undermine and harm the interest of India. India is his second home and he is happy here. He looks forward to India becoming a powerful and prosperous nation. He has no intention in any way of undermining anything against the interest of India.”

Following this announcement a number of Tibetan NGOs have also issued statements, fully supporting the Karmapa. “The Tibetan people across the world are deeply hurt by the baselesss allegations of Chinese links on the Karmapa after the police raids at his exile residence on 27 and 28th January, 2011. The media has gone overboard and spread speculations of “Chinese Links” which are totally baseless and do not hold any evidence.”

“His Holiness the 17th Karmapa is not only the leader of Kagyu sect of the Tibetan Buddhism, but Buddhists across the world. He has been recognised by Tibet’s spiritual and political leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as the 17th Karmapa in the tradtion of the Tibetan Buddhist that is more than 900 years old. Moreover, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee has been living in exile receiving his traditional Buddhist educations in Dharamshala.”

The five Tibetan NGOs, TYC, TWA, Guchusum, NDPT and SFT made the statement on behalf of the Tibetan people protesting in absolute terms the allegations of “Chinese Link” with the Karmapa. “We have absolute faith and trust in His Holiness and Tibetan people revere him and hold him in high esteem.”

Related stories:
Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje in controversy
Recognising Urgen Trinley Dorjee as Karmapa a great mistake: Dawa Sangpo Dorjee

The above article has been adapted from Five Reasons on Seeking Refuge in India: His Holiness Karmapa

 

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