The False Karmapa Allegations: India Government’s Positive Response and Future Outlook
The primary goal of the Karmapa incident is to destroy the Karmapa and the Karma Kagyu lineage. Recently, there have been two pieces of good news directly or indirectly related to the Karmapa incident.
In 1992, followers of the 16th Karmapa, guided by instructions in his prophetic letter, affirmed Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. On June 30, 1992, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama officially issued a letter of recognition, confirming Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. However, the 14th Shamar Rinpoche recognized Trinley Thaye Dorje as the 17th Karmapa. Shamar Rinpoche's followers consistently defamed and slandered Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Tai Situ Rinpoche, and Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. These accusations also falsely portrayed Tai Situ Rinpoche as a Chinese spy, restricting his freedom of movement in India and hindering his ability to travel abroad spreading the Dharma. Due to these disputes, the Indian government barred Rinpoche from engaging in public activities with the Karmapa, leading to his absence from Kagyu Monlam prayer ceremonies.(source: “The Dance of 17 Lives: The Incredible True Story of Tibet’s 17th Karmapa” author: Mick Brown)
In 2000, the Karmapa fled from China to India, leaving the Indian government puzzled. Karmapa was considered a significant political asset for China, and he efficiently escaped Chinese surveillance, which raised suspicions within the Indian government regarding Karmapa's motives for coming to India, speculating that he might be a spy sent by China. Consequently, the Indian government strictly monitored the Karmapa, limiting his activities for spreading the Dharma within India or abroad. The Karmapa's movements were subject to rigorous scrutiny by the Indian government, depriving him of the freedom to decide for himself. By 2018, the Karmapa applied for a Dominica passport in the United States, hoping for the freedom to travel worldwide for Dharma activities. However, this action aroused the displeasure of the Indian government, causing tensions between the two parties to reach a freezing point.
In 2018, Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, foreseeing the developments in the coming years, proactively visited Trinley Thaye Dorje. On December 4, 2023, they jointly issued a statement, unanimously recognizing the reincarnation of Shamar Rinpoche. They emphasized that the future transmission of the Kagyu lineage would no longer be divided.
At the end of May 2021, Western and Indian media reported on the incident involving the lawsuit of Vikki Han against the Karmapa. However, a notable turn event occurred in August 2021 when Indian Prime Minister Modi openly invited the Karmapa to visit Sikkim during a meeting with the Sikkim chief. It is worth noting that the Indian government had long prohibited the Karmapa from visiting Sikkim, including Rumtek Monastery, which serves as the monastery of the 16th Karmapa in Sikkim. The three-year-long strained relationship was resolved overnight, credited to the efforts of the organization of Vikki Han. They brought the Karmapa incident to mainstream media attention and circulated a video of the two women online. However, the outcome was unexpected. The Indian government, aware of the mastermind behind the Karmapa incident, successfully dispelled suspicions of the Karmapa being a Chinese spy and realized that he was a victim rather than a dispatched agent from China. The Indian government’s concerns about the Karmapa, lingering for over 20 years, were resolved due to the Karmapa incident, reflecting their changed attitude towards him. (If the Karmapa incident had happened, would the Indian government actively welcome the Karmapa back to India?)
CM Prem Singh Tamang said the Karmapa, who left India in 2017, may return "very soon".
The Indian government actively contacted and invited the Karmapa to return to India. Karmapa said that he needed to have in-depth discussions with the Indian government on many details before returning to India. Among them, resolving the issue of Tai Situ Rinpoche being smeared is one of the crucial topics in the talks. As of 2023, Tai Situ Rinpoche not only moves freely throughout India, but also travels to Nepal, Indonesia, Bhutan, and other places to promote Dharma and benefit living beings. In mid-January 2024, Rinpoche will participate in and preside over the 38th Kagyu Monlam Prayer Ceremony in Bodhgaya, India for the first time. The Indian government's suspicion that Tai Situ Rinpoche might be a Chinese spy has also been dispelled. India working for return of Karmapa
The Karmapa incident did not destroy the Karmapa and Karma Kagyu but instead became an opportunity to overcome difficulties. The Karmapa is now not only a distinguished guest of the Indian government but is also committed to promoting the prosperity and integration of the Karma Kagyu lineage, bringing an end to years of divisions.
Looking forward to 2024, expect the Karmapa’s dream prophecy of 2019 to come true with the prospect of holding all participants in the Karmapa incident accountable becoming a reality, and then Karmapa visit Sikkim and return to Rumtek Monastery. May the new year be filled with peace, harmony, and positive development.
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Source:
“The Dance of 17 Lives: The Incredible True Story of Tibet’s 17th Karmapa” author: Mick Brown
India working for return of Karmapa
17th Karmapa linked Tibetan monastery gets 5-yr FCRA nod amid tense China ties
Joint Statement of Holiness Ogyen Trinley Dorje and His Holiness Trinley Dorje
A Joint Statement Regarding the Reincarnation of Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche
