His Holiness the Karmapa being received by officials and devotees in Arunachal Pradesh
Photo: Karmapa Official Website
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje visited Tawang, the capital of the north eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, on a four-day visit from November 28. This was a particularly significant visit as it was the first time the Karmapa Lama in his current lifetime has been able to go to Tawang and the first visit by a Karmapa for 400 years. The Karmapa first visited this region in a previous lifetime, 1,100 years ago, when he formed a special connection with the area, founding several monasteries there.
The visit was also significant due to the border dispute between India and China. Arunachal, which is on the India-Tibet border, has strong cultural and historical ties to Tibet and is claimed by China who calls it “Little Tibet”. It was one of the flashpoints of the India-China war of 1962. China has advised India not to “complicate the boundary question’, and always protests when Indian leaders visit the state.
However, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Sri Pema Khandu supported the visit and welcomed the Karmapa on his arrival saying that His Holiness is an “honoured guest” and that his presence in India is an “internal matter” that should not be interfered with by China.
Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs of India at Karmapa’s reception in Arunachal
Photo: Kiren Rijiju’s Twitter
During his time there, the Karmapa Lama spoke to audiences at the Sera Jay Jamyang Choekorling Monastery and Ganden Namgyal Lhatse – or Tawang – Monastery, one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. He talked about the importance of a strong faith in Buddhist teachings as well as devotion to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, saying that these values allow for a fulfilled daily life. He said these things are important in continuing the traditions of Buddhist philosophy and science. He spoke of the need for discipline and harmony amongst the varied sanghas so that Buddhism itself can continue in the region. The Karmapa later gave a teaching to 20,000 people at the High Altitude Stadium in Tawang as well as reaching thousands of other people during his stay.
The Karmapa Lama is the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and the third highest Rinpoche, or precious one, in Tibetan Buddhism – His Holiness the Dalai Lama being the highest Rinpoche and the Panchen Lama the second– Gendun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama has been held in Chinese custody since 1995.
The 17th Karmapa incarnation is the subject of an ongoing dispute. The position is also claimed by Trinley Thaye Dorje but 31 year old Ogyen Trinley Dorje is commonly accepted as the true incarnation.
Print
Email