The False Karmapa Allegations: The Stance of His Holiness Dalai Lama and Tibetan Government-in-Exile
Since the eruption of the Karmapa incident in early 2019, many people have been puzzled as to why Karmapa did not come forward to clarify. However, Karmapa stated early on, "I think we shouldn't respond officially; it would help them." Karmapa's silence has led to misunderstandings among many. However, this is a complex political issue. Karmapa must face this dangerous situation with wisdom, composure, and rationality to avoid falling into traps and causing irreparable harm.
In addition, some people think His Holiness the Dalai Lama should express his views on this incident. However, His Holiness Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile have issued important statements supporting the Karmapa in 2022. (Note: We overlooked such an important statement at the time.)
The following is the original text
July 2, 2022
New York: Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, along with parliamentarians of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, attended the 38th birthday celebration of Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche, Head of Karma Kagyu of Tibetan Buddhism, organised by the Karmapa Service Society of the USA in New York on 26 June 2022.
Followed by a video message from the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang gave their public addresses.
In his public address, in recollecting the noble deeds of Gyalwang Karmapa, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel emphasised the need to practice what Gyalwang Karmapa preaches while supplicating his kind guidance from time to time for the wellbeing of all the sentient beings.
Sacrificing a lot in his life, Gyalwang Karmapa has also endured a fair share of challenges and has taken the painful decision of coming into exile. Nevertheless, Gyalwang Karmapa is shouldered with great hope and trust from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in continuing his endeavor to protect Tibet’s distinct religion and culture.
He further said that the gist of Buddhism could only be apprehended by studying the Kagyur (110 volumes of Buddha’s teaching translated in Tibetan) and the Tengyur (225 volumes of commentaries of Buddha’s teaching translated in Tibetan) by both clergy and laypeople.
Reiterating what His Holiness the Dalai Lama has emphasised in his video address at the 8th World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, in her address, stressed embracing the fundamental distinctive features of Tibetan culture pertaining to the practice of Buddhism, which are compassion, cooperation, and kind-heartedness.
As Gyalwang Karmapa has always been vocal in urging unity and harmony among Tibetans for the common cause of Tibet, to which she expressed her gratitude and assured doing her best to bring unity into the community. At the same time, the Deputy Speaker asked individual Tibetans to do their bit and prayed for the long life of Gyalwang Karmapa and the fulfilment of all his noble wishes and aspirations.
There were also cultural presentations and speeches from other guests at the event.
-Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat-』
These statements demonstrate the support and affirmation of His Holiness Dalai Lama and the Tibetan exile government for Karmapa. Recently, both Tai Situ Rinpoche and Karmapa's sister have successively met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, further indicating His Holiness's understanding of the incident and support for the Karmapa.
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| Karmapa’s sister |
The support and affirmation of the Karmapa by not only the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan exile government but also the Indian and Taiwan governments post-allegations indicate that this incident is more complex than superficially perceived.
The celebration event for Karmapa's 38th birthday was meticulously planned by a certain country, aiming to demonstrate to those who slander Karmapa that their wrongdoing is known, while also expressing support and affirmation for Karmapa. We detailed the purpose and details of this celebration event in our article "The Political Dimension of the False Karmapa Allegations-Latest Updates" , so we won't repeat it here.
