New Delhi, Aug 8 : Stating that India is like “second Tibet” for the Tibetan refugees, the 33-year-old Karmapa Lama, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, has said he will return to India soon.
The visit may take place around November this year though the final date of his “return” is yet to be worked out by both sides, sources said.
“It is definite that I will return to India. There is no doubt about that. India has been a second home for all of us Tibetan refugees, especially His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It is like a second Tibet for us,” Dorje’s office said in a statement.
According to sources in the ruling BJP, the central government has taken cognizance of the development and hence have reportedly alerted all stake holders, state governments and the security agencies concerned.
The head of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, a branch of one of the multiple traditions of the Tibetan Buddhist religion, is in “talks” with the Government of India emissaries as well over his return.
“As everyone knows, there have been a lot of problems for me since I came to India, caused by various rumors and doubts, such as the suspicions of some of the members of the security services that I was sent by China, and so forth. This is one reason why I sought the opportunity for a face-to-face meeting with representatives of the Indian Government,” 17th Gyalwang Karmapa said in a recent interview.
In another interview to Radio Free Asia, online broadcaster based in Washington, he gave broad hints about visit later this year. “In November of this year, there will be an important meeting of the heads of the major Tibetan Buddhist traditions in Dharamsala, India,” the Karmapa said.
“I rise at 7 or 8. I wash my face, then have breakfast — tsampa (roasted barley porridge). I have been vegetarian for 10 years, and other than not eating meat I don’t pay much attention to food — I take what is offered to me,” the 32-year-old monk was quoted in media reports.
Born to a nomadic family in Tibet, Dorje — aka Apo Gaga was identified at the age of seven as the reincarnated 17th Karmapa and sent to live at Tsurphu monastery, seat of the Karmapa lamas since the 12th century.
In 1999 he ‘defied’ Chinese authorities by fleeing Tibet across the Himalayas to Dharamsala in India.
In interview to CBC Radio, the Karmapa says his dreams for Tibet and its people are simple.
“Tibetan people need more freedom … maybe you can say freedom of speech and freedom of faith.
Maybe we can really make friendships … not just for show … more personal affection and mutual understanding,” he said.
UNI
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