Since the last update to the public petition for the return of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa to Sikkim and India, detailing how Sikyong Penpa Tsering stated publicly in response to a question that the Indian government was the main factor in the return of 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje to Sikkim over the past two decades, it has been revealed by a reliable source in India that the main obstacle is not the Indian government at all, but is, and has been, the ongoing and pending court cases launched (many years ago) by those following the unofficial Karmapa title claimant, Thaye Dorje for control of Rumtek.
It seems that the group refuse to withdraw the legal action unless the actual 17th Karmapa challenges them in court, or does some kind of ‘joint Karmapa’ deal. Yet, the 17th Karmapa is officially recognised by the vast majority of Karma Kagyu in Tibet and exile, in particular by the vast majority of monasteries and nunneries. Any support of Thaye Dorje by other teachers and followers from other traditions, such as Gelugpa, Nyingma, Sakya and so on is actually irrelevant. It is for Tibetans within the Karma Kagyu tradition to decide who the 17th Karmapa is, and they have already clearly done so.
It is not an equal-sided difference of opinion between 12th Tai Situpa and 14th Zhamarpa either, as it is often presented by the Thaye Dorje followers (and also in the 16th Karmapa’s biography by Alexander Gardner). All the main Karma Kagyu Rinpoches, such as 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul and 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche picked and follow the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley, in particular relying on the handwritten letter provided by the 16th Karmapa (and given to the 12th Tai Situpa) before he passed away, clearly indicating where and to whom he would be re-born.
Thus, it is time to urgently email (draft provided below) the following people and kindly request (in the name of Buddhist ethics, genuine harmony and friendship) that all their legal/court cases pending for control of Rumtek by Thaye Dorje and those connected to him be immediately withdrawn:
- Sikyong Penpa Tsering: pstosikyong@tibet.net
- CTA representatives for the departments of religion and culture: religion@tibet.net
- Thaye Dorje and his representatives: https://web.facebook.com/theKarmapa/ and https://www.karmapa.org/contact/
- the Diamond Way Buddhist centres in Europe and representatives of Ole Nydahl: https://www.diamondway-buddhism.org/media/contact-us/ and info@buddhism-foundation.org
- Members of the Bhutanese Royal Family (who also have supported Thaye Dorje for reasons connected to the marriage of one of the Bhutanese princesses to the 14th Zhamarpa’s assistant, Tobge)
- The Honourable Chief Justice of the High Court Sikkim: justice.bsomadder@aij.gov.in
Suggested Draft Email to Key Decision-Makers
“Dear [Name]
A petition has been published which now has over 1000 signatures for the return of the official 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje to Sikkim and Rumtek Monastery who is recognised by the vast majority of Karma Kagyu in Tibet, India, China and globally. This ongoing situation is intolerable for thousands of Karmapa’s followers and monastics in particular.
Please help us put an end to the pending court cases for control of Rumtek Monastery by the unofficial Karmapa claimant, Thaye Dorje and his followers who are mainly based in Europe. These cases are blocking the 17th Karmapa’s legitimate return there for the past two decades since he came from Tibet to India. The decision as to who is the 17th Karmapa, of which historically there has only been one (as confirmed in the authentic handwritten letter by 16th Karmapa, given to the 12th Tai Situpa Rinpoche) has been taken by the vast majority of Tibetan Karma Kagyu lineage holders and monastics, and is supported by the vast majority of Karma Kagyu community, lay and monastic.”
Yours sincerely,
[Your name] “
The public petition can be signed and shared here:
https://www.change.org/p/support-17th-karmapa-ogyen-trinley-dorje-s-visit-to-sikkim