On 14th October 2024, it was announced by Tibetan exile media that the Sikyong, Penpa Tsering and a six-person delegation of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s Standing Committee, led by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel is visiting Ravangla in South Sikkim (see photo). There is only one woman delegate. The announcement states that:
“The delegation will be attending the 600th anniversary since the birth of the first Gyaltsab, the Great Drung Goshri Paljor Dondup, on 17th October 2024 at Ralang Densa Palchen Chosling, Ravangla, South Sikkim.”
One of the the main Karma Kagyu heart sons of the Gyalwang Karmapa, is Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche.
As I wrote here before, it is troubling and odd indeed that Tibetan representatives in Dharamsala and exile have shown little to zero interest in the last two decades in making sure the official 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje is able to visit there and teach and stay at Rumtek Monastery.
However, this delegation visit is a positive movement and shows that the petition I launched a couple of months ago, which now has 1000 plus signatures, from the question raised by MP Dorje Tseten (September 2024) in parliament for Sikyong Penpa Tsering to this delegation visit, is having some effect on the Dharamsala representatives (although it is highly unlikely they would ever publicly acknowledge so!). In fact, a lot more ‘political exile’ movement in two months than the zero ‘movement’ of two decades when Brit-pop style concerts in Europe and the USA, when organisers seemed to be more intent on having their ‘exclusive social clique’ positions protected, and their performances/speeches filmed and publicised while jetting all over the world, than actually progressing the situation of the 17th Karmapa to visit and teach at Rumtek Monastery.
Petitioners have urged me to ask people to take action regarding the visit, which holds the potential for the delegates to 1) raise awareness in Sikkim about the situation with the 17th Karmapa and seek to make sure he can visit there soon, and 2) insist and put pressure on the relevant Sikkimese politicians, lawyers and courts, that the pending court cases in Sikkim started by the unofficial claimant, Thaye Dorje and his mainly white, European followers many years ago, are withdrawn and stopped immediately.
In fact, the Sikyong Penpa Tsering has been spending a lot of time in Europe recently meeting Europeans and advocating on behalf of the Gelug dominated power groups and institutions in exile, yet perhaps it would be good if he, and other Raglan representatives started advocating and supporting more their very own Tibetan Buddhist lineage head of one of the most important teachers and masters in Tibet not only historically but also presently and meeting with people who have the power to change that situation in Sikkim and India?
It is also interesting to note that Jetsun Pema, the Queen of Bhutan (one of the very few ‘token’ females invited), is also attending the event, as one of my recent updates to the petition suggested to petitioners they email the Royal Family of Bhutan (who have actively supported Thaye Dorje and undermined the 17th Karmapa in the process of doing so). The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje has yet to be invited to or even to visit Bhutan, despite the strong connection and relationship of the 16th Karmapa, Rigpe Dorje with the Bhutanese Royal Family and people, (see here). Maybe they have finally realised they supported and backed the wrong man? Hope so.
Take Action and email the delegates:
Please email the following delegates (see contact details and suggested draft email below):
1) Ven. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel: speaker@tibetanparliament.org, tibetanparliament@tibet.net Mobile no: +919816373083,
2) Ven. Tenpa Yarphel (Kagyu): tenpayarphel15@gmail.com, Mobile no: +919882999888
3) Ven. Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen (Sakya): Email:loponthuptengyaltsen@tibetanparliament.org
Mobile no: +918627883245/7018143504
4) Ven. Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten (Gelugpa): Email: atuktsetan@gmail.com, Mobile no: +919857633612
5) Ms. Juchen Kunchok Chodon (Dho-Toe Region) Email: kunchok_juchentsang@yahoo.com, Mobile no: +919418019679
6) Mr. Dhondup Tashi (Dho-Mey region): Email: dhonduptashitibet@tibetanparliament.org, Mobile no: +919418024107
Draft Suggested Email:
“Dear Honourable CTA Delegation members
It is good to hear you will be attending the Anniversary of the 1st Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche in Ravangla, Sikkim on 17th October 2024. I kindly request you to:
1) raise the issue in Sikkim of HH 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje’s two decade long absence from Sikkim, in particular from Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the Gyalwang Karmapas in India, and ensure that:
1) the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa is able to visit Sikkim and stay and teach at Rumtek as soon as possible, and
2) all pending court cases against the 17th Karmapa and the Karma Kamtsang for control of Rumtek are withdrawn by those connected to the unofficial claimant and layperson, Thaye Dorje (who is not recognised by the vast majority of Karma Kagyu Tibetans in exile or in Tibet).
I sincerely hope that your visit is meaningful and beneficial for the Karma Kagyu activities in Ravangla, Sikkim but also is beneficial in removing obstacles of the supreme head of the Karma Kagyu, 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje being able to visit and teach in Sikkim as soon as possible.
With good wishes,
YOUR NAME”
Sources:
Sign The Petition: Support Karmapa’s Return To Sikkim (10th July 2024)