On 11th December, it was reported in the Indian and Tibetan exile media, that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama had begun his visit to Sikkim, after 13 years absence to give a teaching there. As of yet, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje (supreme head of the Karma Kagyu lineage) has still not been allowed to visit Sikkim, for reasons which still remain unknown to the vast majority of his followers. Thus, it was also surprising to read that the Dalai Lama will also virtually lay the foundation stones of the Karmapa Park project at Rumtek Monastery, Gangtog Sikkim.
The Dalai Lama’s visit to Sikkim in October had been cancelled due to a flash flood that claimed the lives of scores of people and displaced thousands. On 6th October, the 17th Karmapa personally requested via the Tsurphu monastic centre a donation of a significant amount of money to help those severely affected by the floods. So, although many may welcome the Dalai Lama’s visit to Sikkim, why was the Karmapa not laying those foundation stones at Rumtek himself?
For the background on the 17th Karmapa and Rumtek Monastery and my brief analysis as to why he is still unable to travel or teach there, read this short, new piece published on Teahouse Buddhist Door Global today. I conclude in that:
“The 17th Karmapa is an important and essential figure for the well-being of the Tibetans in Tibet and exile and for Tibetan Buddhist followers globally. A speaker of fluent Chinese, the Karmapa’s family members still live in Tibetan areas governed by China. His connection to the language and people is also crucial in order to progress the Tibet issue within Chinese politics. The Chinese government has consistently made it clear that it will not budge on the issue of the Dalai Lama. Surely now is the time for the Karmapa to have the Rumtek court case dropped against him, and to allow him freely to travel, teach and engage in Buddha Dharma activities not only for the well-being and benefit of Tibetans in Tibet and exile but for the whole planet.
So, the question that remains to be answered is: why is the 14th Dalai Lama visiting Rumtek, when the supreme head of Karma Kagyu, the 17th Karmapa, is still not allowed to go there (and return to India it seems despite his stated wish to do so), with even his sister recently being forbidden from going during her visit to meet 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche there? One can only hope that his many thousands of monastic and lay followers globally get a reasonable answer from the relevant authorities/people to that question soon. .”
Even the State government of Sikkim have publicly stated in 2022 they are willing and happy for the 17th Karmapa to visit there soon, so frankly, it is difficult to imagine what would be a good reason for his still not being able to do that.
May this be of benefit in ensuring that the 17th Karmapa be allowed to travel and teach freely not only in Sikkim, but Asia and globally. Dedicating this to the long-life and good health of the 17th Karmapa too. Music? Long-life prayer for the 17th Karmapa, chanted by Karma Kagyu nuns.
Written by Adele Tomlin, 14th December 2023.