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His Holiness Karmapa's news conference of April 27, 2001

  Statement    Transcript      Photographs    Initial press reaction

Press conference follow-up

Irish Times photo

Irish Times

Time Magazine

Photo at Time Magazine site

Second article on Karmapa by Michael Fathers

A new photo of His Holiness Karmapa, in profile with His Holiness Dalai Lama in the background, has been published in conjunction with an article in the Irish Times by Rahul Bedi, who reports elsewhere for the Telegraph (London) .

In a 30 minute interview with Bedi, the Karmapa states that "I feel slightly better here than I did in Tibet, although I am still waiting for the main transformation of my situation . . . . I consider this a critical time in human history, when a lot is going on and people's emotions are heightened." Bedi also describes the still significant restrictions on the Karmapa put in place by the government of India.

Time Magazine (Asia) in its May 14 issue reports from Gyuto on its interview with the fifteen-year-old Seventeenth Karmapa that "the teenager's press conference on April 27 lifted the veil on his personality. Two days later, he sat down with TIME's South Asia bureau chief Michael Fathers and discussed growing up, missing his parents and his love of painting and music." Father's questions about the Karmapa's personal feelings elicit breathtakingly moving and honest responses from this young Karmapa. Reading the text of the interview in Time is highly recommended.

His Holiness emphasized that he will work with the Dalai Lama as much as he can to preserve what is unique about Tibet: "its religious traditions and culture."  Asked what he hoped to see in Tibet's future, the Karmapa replied "I'd like to see a non-violent Tibet where our spiritual and traditional values are respected. My great aspiration is that Tibet and its peoples will live in a state of peace. "

New in Fathers' report is the Karmapa's statement about his worries for his parents and the people in his region of Tibet and his description of his feelings in living at Gyuto monastery, which he described as "a sense of restriction living here, but it has been ameliorated by the Indian Government's decision to give me refugee status and to allow me to go on a pilgrimage to the Buddhist holy places. If the trend in this direction continues, my wishes will be fully met. So I regard this as a temporary place. It is a little bit inconvenient; it is like being in a guesthouse. After all this is not a monastery of my own (Kagyupa) tradition. (The monastery is a "tantric university" of the Dalai Lama's Gelupa tradition, or sect of Tibetan Buddhism.)" Also, the Karmapa noted that he equally enjoyed painting poetry and music. "I paint people. My paintings don't have any particular symbolism. I just draw and paint what comes to me."

His Holiness's comment in reply to a question to Father's final question in the published interview as to the Karmapa's happiest moment is the most striking: "It was probably my childhood, when I was still living in my birthplace, because at that time I was free and did not have the title of being a great lama. In contrast to now, I am living with the responsibility that comes with a title. It is a great blessing and a great honor, but it is somewhat restrictive."

InTime's separate analysis of the Karmapa's interview, Fathers provides a reflective and insightful look at the conflicting forces acting on this 15 year old boy who carries the hopes of 900 years of Tibetan incarnations, 1200 years of Tibetan national identity and 2500 years of Buddhist history on his shoulders. We recommend reading the article in its entirety, a small part of which follows:

"The almost father-son relationship that has developed between the 65-year-old Dalai Lama and the Karmapa has given rise to speculation that over time the barriers that divide Tibet's four main Buddhist sects might disappear—and that the Karmapa might succeed the Dalai Lama as leader of the Tibet freedom movement when he dies. This would be a radical departure from the past, but Tibetans may need to adopt dramatically new approaches to their political lives with China bent on subjugation and, some would argue, cultural genocide. 'Tibetan leaders are capable of reinventing themselves when necessary with quite astonishing success,' says Tibet expert Robbie Barnett of Columbia University."

"The boy has gravitas, wisdom and a spiritual maturity that impresses people who meet him—plus a laptop, which he hopes one day to use for e-mail. But the happiest moments of his life, he says, were in childhood before he was "recognized." And what he misses most, he says, is his mother and father. He may be the world's oldest incarnate lama, he may be the embodied hope of a whole people. But at 16 he is also still just a kid."

The interview is available at the Time Magazine Asia website. Father's analysis is available in the same place.

Press conference follow-up

The Times of London

The Statesman

Continuing Nalandabodhi's survey of coverage of the press conference, we note Stephen Farrell's report from Sidbhari for The Times of London. Farrell's report does not contain much new information, but is notable for its perspective that the Karmapa's news conference was to "counter accusations of critics that he is a Chinese stooge." The article is generally sympathetic to His Holiness's explanations, and ends with a poignent quote from one of the Karmapa's personal assistants.

The Times of London article is at the Times website, and also was reprinted at the Indian daily The Statesman. .

May 13 - Press conference follow-up

Rashmi Saksena reports  from Dharamsala in this week's issue for The Week of his interview with His Holiness Karmapa. The magazine also prints a new photo of His Holiness standing on the roof of Gyuto Monastery.

 In the interview, the Karmapa raises troubling questions about the impediments to his travel within India raised by segments of the government of India. Although Delhi has granted Karmapa legal refuge in India, it still bars him from traveling without obtaining advance permission, and has indicated he may not visit Sikkim, where the seat of the Karmapas in India at Rumtek Monastery is located, nor may he visit the monastic seat of Situ Rinpoche in India, which is located near to the Karmapa's current residence. Current reports in the media inevitably cite one of two theories for the resistance to the Karmapa's travels: 1) that he is a 15 year-old secret agent for China who may make trouble for India in the "sensitive" though predominately Buddhist state of Sikkim, or 2) that he is a political ally for the Dalai Lama, who will make trouble for China, and thus harm India's relations to China. The Karmapa's comments highlight the ludicrous reasoning behind the government ban.

His Holiness indicates that a segment of Indian officialdom seems unwilling or unable to look at the evidence of his escape from Tibet. He frankly tells Saksena that  "it seems there are some in the (Indian) government who wonder if I might be an agent of the Chinese government and if I might wish to move to Sikkim to somehow bring it under the power of China. In order to make it absolutely clear that this is not the case, I have tried to explain as clearly as possible how I escaped and that it was my own idea and that I was not sent by anyone. . . .  I have attempted to make this clear and explain this again and again to the Indian government but my explanations don't seem to have allayed their suspicions."

His Holiness also bluntly replies to the alternative theory, replying to Saksena's question that he will continue to assist the Dalai Lama by "upholding the spiritual and cultural traditions of Tibet," but that in so doing he is not acting with political intent:  "I support and will continue to support His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his exposition of non-violence and peaceful negotiations. But I don't consider that purely political because non-violence and fostering of peace and tranquillity are fundamentally a spiritual endeavour."

The Karmapa further noted that he did not understand the logic of prohibiting him from visiting the residence of Situ Rinpoche at Sherab Ling monastery, located about 40 miles from the Karmapa's current location. "Situ Rinpoche is allowed to visit me frequently and my teaching is not obstructed. But I cannot comprehend why I cannot enter Sherabling when I am allowed to meet him. It raises the question why I am not allowed to enter a building and what will be the political consequences of being permitted to do so."

At this time the Karmapa has not specifically applied for permission to travel abroad. Although he indicates that he wishes to travel abroad, he believes that given the impediments to his ability to travel to Sikkim, which is a state of India, the government of India is unlikely to easily grant him the right to travel overseas.

Despite these obstacles, the Karmapa indicated they were temporary; he told The Week that "over time the situation will get better."

The Week also quotes other statements by the Karmapa, including comments over his happiness to be receiving teachings from HE Situ Rinpoche. Situ Rinpoche is also interviewed by the magazine, which is available online at the same address.

Press conference follow-up

Sydney Morning Herald (Daily Telegraph London)

Raul Behi's followup article for the Daily Telegraph, published online by the Sydney Morning Herald, reports that the Karmapa told him that "I consider this a critical time in human history, when a lot is going on and people's emotions are heightened." But Behi concentrates primarily on the fact that His Holiness still remains severely hampered by restrictions set by the government of India.

"Having spent the first 14 years of his life as a virtual Chinese prisoner, the Karmapa is guarded round the clock by about 60 Indian commandos and security personnel, who severely restrict his movements and frisk all his guests. The teenage monk is confined mostly to the sparsely furnished room on the monastery's third floor. He rises daily at dawn to attend lectures on Buddhist scriptures and philosophy. He cannot walk down the monastery steps for even a stroll in its grounds without permission from his minders, who refer all his requests to the federal authorities in New Delhi. The only exercise he gets is walking on the terrace outside his room or pacing the long corridor outside it. And although the Karmapa was granted refugee status by India two months ago, following extensive political and diplomatic activity, and escorted to holy Buddhist spots across northern and eastern India, he still needs clearance from police to visit the Dalai Lama, 16 kilometres away."

Behi also notes the Karmapa's wish to return to the monastery of the Karmapas in Sikkim, India, remarking that the government of India "sensitive to Beijing's anger over the monk's escape from his monastery at Tsurphu, Tibet." The Karmapa's response to this difficulty: "Still, the Karmapa is confident of being able to take up residence in Sikkim. "To doubt this is pointless," he declared."

The Telegraph article is reprinted and published at the Sydney Morning Herald website.

Press conference follow-up

Guardian (London)

Observer (London)

Luke Harding, writing for the Guardian and the Observer, follows his initial report of the press conference, cited earlier by Karmpa News, with more detail and analysis of the Karmapa's situation in India.

In his Guardian article entitled "Tibetan Leader at the Crossroads," Harding focuses on the Indian government's odd delay and seeming unwillingness to allow the Karmapa to fully perform his religious offices. Harding writes that "The unanswered question now, is what will the Indian government do next?"

Harding notes that there are two theories about why the government of India is so hesitant to act decisively regarding His Holiness. Oddly, the theories seem completely antagonistic to each other. The one theory is that the Karmapa was deliberately allowed to escape by China in order to help them gain some sway over Sikkim. The second is that allowing the Karmapa to go to Sikkim will antagonize China because it will be an assertion of India's right to Sikkim, despite China's objections to the 1975 annexation of the country by India.

Harding concludes as follows: "By allowing the Karmapa to take up residence in Sikkim, so the argument goes, New Delhi will further offend the Chinese, for whom the Karmapa's flight was a profound and avoidable humiliation.  But one suspects the Indian government is also reluctant to provoke political tension in the region. Not everyone welcomed India's annexation of Sikkim in 1975, and much of the state's unique Buddhist culture has now been subsumed by immigration from the rest of India."

"The claim that the Karmapa is a Chinese stooge, though, strikes me as unreasonable and ill-founded. Having conducted the first face-to-face interview with him on Saturday, there seems little doubt of his sincerity, his resentment at Beijing's interference in his activities, and his desire to fulfil the role destiny has carved out for him."

"Until the Indian government makes up its mind, he remains confined in the fourth floor of Gyuto monastery, with only his sister, who fled Tibet with him, and a pet Pekinese dog for company. It would be nice if New Delhi gave this serious and exceptionally gifted 15-year-old the benefit of the doubt, and allowed him to take up residence at Rumtek monastery in the coming months. "

In his Observer article, so far published only at the Financial Times site (access restricted), Harding provides one of the most detailed accounts to date of the motivations behind His Holiness escape from China. The Karmapa tells a little of when the search party found him in Tibet, as "three sun appeared in the sky," saying that he had not said anything to that time because "'it would have seemed extremely disrespectful to have imagined I might be the Karmapa.'" Harding asked him if he "had he as a young child had any idea who he was?" to which the Karmapa replied: "'Very simply a human being. I never thought of myself as the Karmapa.'"

Talking about his nomadic childhood, His Holiness recounts that "'We lived like native Americans,' he recalled. 'We survived on animal products such as butter, meat and milk. It was an extremely isolated and natural environment. Because of that in the region there was a great degree of faith in Buddhism. My family was neither wealthy nor impoverished,' he added. The only drawback to this romantically bleak and 'undisturbed' place was winter. 'The winters were very cold, with biting wind,' the Karmapa said."

Deciding to escape at the end of 1999, the Karmapa said he did not know what would have happened had he been caught, as such a decision was in China's hands. However, he was disappointed at the circumstances in which he found himself upon his arrival in Dharamsala, which, as Harding says, plunged him into a "a political chess game." The Karmapa told Harding: "'I sometimes wondered who had taken my freedom away,' he said. 'It wasn't that much different from my previous state in Tibet, where I was constantly watched.'"

Harding's Observer article contains a number of other interesting quotations from his interview with the Karmapa. The Observer article is reprinted at the Financial Times website, which often requires membership (free) to access. The Guardian article is at the Guardian's website.

Press conference follow-up

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

New York Times

San Francisco Chronicle

Washington Post

In a follow-up to the AP's story on His Holiness's press conference, AP reporter Angus McDonald reports on his interview with the Karmapa in an article entitled "For high-ranking lama who fled to India, 'sun of freedom rises.'" As usual, the wire-service report was widely carried at various media outlets throughout the world, a sample of which are reprinted in the margin. We lead with a link to the article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which is accompanied by the AP photograph of His Holiness at his computer.

McDonald writes that though the scenery outside Gyuto Monastery is breathtaking, the Karmapa's confinement there until "winning refugee status there recently" "was like a prison. Now 'it's as though the sun of my freedom is starting to rise,' says Ugyen Thinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa."

The Karmapa also stated to the AP that "I think that nowadays in this world the study of languages is very important and also the study of the technology that we employ in our daily lives, so these are two interests of mine.""I know a little bit about how to use a computer, although not that much, and I don't yet have Internet access." Dismissing speculation that he is a possible successor to the Dalai Lama, the Karmapa replied "I'm fairly young now and I must complete my studies, my education in Buddhism."

The Karmapa reiterated that his greatest desire was to take his seat at Rumtek Monastery. The AP story is available at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer website, as well as other numerous media websites.

May 1, 2001

VOA article (text)

VOA article (streaming audio)

VOA News release on HH statement

The VOA 's Jim Teeple reports on the Karmapa's press conference. The VOA report is also available as a streaming audio report (a Real Audio Player is required), which is notable for containing a second of two of what appears to be His Holiness's words in the background at approximately 37 seconds into audio segment. Teeple provides some additional background information on the discovery of His Holiness Karmapa, including details of unusual incidents at the time of his birth.

The VOA text report and streaming audio report report is available at the Voice of America website. Teeple's RealAudio report may also be downloaded before playing, for more precise replay.

April 27-30, 2001 Recent photographs of His Holiness

AP photo of Karmapa at work on a PC

AP artistic photo of Karmapa at press conference

AP photo of His Holiness at the April 27 press conference

AP photo of His Holiness at the press conference

Reuters' photo at Telegraph website

Some new photographs have been released of His Holiness at the press conference and on shot of His Holiness at work.The new photos are from the AP, shot by Angus McDonald. The list below includes also photos released on April 27 and 28, immediately after the press conference. The links to the photos are listed below, and in the margin at left.

AP photo of Karmapa at work on a PC

AP artistic photo of Karmapa at press conference

AP photo of His Holiness at the April 27 press conference

AP photo of His Holiness at the press conference

Reuters' photo at Telegraph website

April 27-29, 2001

Transcript of the press conference held by His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa on April 27, 2001 in Sidbhari, India

Transcript of Questions and Answers From the Press Meeting
 with HH Gyalwa Karmapa
held April 27, 2001 at Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University

Q NHK How long are you going to Stay in India?  Will you go back to China?

His Holiness Karmapa ("HHK") Having come here to India from Tibet as a refugee and in accordance with that having received the status of a refugee, I do not plan to return to Tibet until HH the Dalai Lama returns.  I will go back with him.

Q Ajit Jagra I would like to know what actually inspired you to come to India since you have lots of followers all over the world?

HHK One of the most important reasons why I was inspired to come to India was so that I would be able to see or visit the sacred places of this country [India].

Q Norway Radio of Tibet Your Holiness, since you have come to India, the government of China has asserted that you did not come to take up residence in this country, but only to reclaim the Black Hat and other possessions of your predecessor; that you would be returning to China, and that you left a letter behind you in Tibet that stated that?

HHK It is true that I left a letter behind me, but as I wrote the letter myself,  I'm perfectly aware of what was in it and what wasn't.  I said in the letter that I left because, although I had for a long time, persistently and repeatedly, requested permission to travel internationally, I had never received it and so I had to leave.  I did not in the letter mention the Black Crown, the Black Hat.  Why  would I want to retrieve that from India and bring it back to China anyway?  The only thing that would be served or accomplished by doing so that would be to place that Hat on Jiang Zemin's head.

Q Italian News Service Your Holiness in your statement you never mentioned the Shamarpa who is the second highest Kagyu lama and has accused you of being a Chinese agent.  What is your opinion of this?

HHK Up to this point, I have done my best to deal with the situation in an appropriate way and therefore I saw no reason to it speculate about it or write about it in my statement as that would only make things worse.

Q The Week I just wanted to ask the Karmapa  whether  while he was in Tibet there was any pressure placed upon him by the Chinese to recognize the Panchen Lama that they selected?

A There was no particular pressure placed on me to support the Chinese government's recognition of their Panchen Lama, but I was invited to his hair cutting and ordination.

HHK PTI Sir, It took you only thirty hours to come out of Tibet into Nepal and yet it took you more than five days to reach Dharamsala  within a free country.  Why so? [Question repeated] Why did a journey of 1500 kilometers take 30 hours and yet it took 5 days to reach here [Dharamsala] form Nepal. It's been said that [inaudible] helped you reach Nepal.  Is Situ Rinpoche an agent of the Chinese?

A The reason why parts of the journey took longer than others was because of the distance to be traveled and the difficulty of traveling in that region.  The whole journey took 8 days and I think I have explained the times pretty clearly in my statement.  I don't think I can say anything clearer than that.  As far as his Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche is concerned, while I was in Tibet, I repeatedly asked the government of China for permission to invite him to Tsurphu so that I could receive the empowerments, transmissions, and instructions that I wished to received from him.  But they refused to allow Tai Situ Rinpoche to enter China, saying that he could not come because he had too close a connection to HH the Dalai Lama and was, therefore, inadmissible to the country of China.  I think that if what you said  were true, that they would have been delighted to let him in.

HHK Australian newspaper Do you intend to work with the Dalai Lama in the cause of promoting world awareness of Tibet and in the cause of Tibetan independence or autonomy?

A As I mentioned in my statement earlier, what has made Tibet so famous throughout the world is its religious tradition and culture.  So I regard it as my duty and responsibility to support the religion and culture of Tibet as much and as vigorously as I can.  I think that by doing this I will benefit Tibetans and the people in Tibet and benefit the situation in Tibet as well.  In that sense, in the sense of supporting Tibetan  religion and culture I will assist His Holiness the Dalai Lama as much as I can.

Q The Daily Telegraph Your Holiness, you are one of the most famous lamas of Tibet and are regarded as someone who can know the past and future. Would you, therefore, care to comment on where you will be in 15 years?

HHK Never mind the future, I will forget tomorrow what I said today.

Q Are you worried about Tibetan culture becoming extinct because of the state of affairs in China?

HHK [As a Dharma practitioner not involved in politics], all I can say is that every nation has its own distinct spiritual tradition and culture.  If any of these are in danger of becoming extinct, I would hope that that would not happen.

Q Newsweek Are the Chinese waiting for the Dalai Lama to pass away in the hopes that that will be the end of the Tibetan independence movement and that they will thereafter be able to fully absorb Tibetan culture within Han Chinese culture?

HHK His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not that old and is in very good health. 

In addition, I constantly pray for his longevity and I am confident that the situation of his passing  will  not occur for a long time.  It is quite possible that before then the political situation in China  will change considerably.  In addition, the power of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's aspirations and compassion is inconceivable.  With regard to the youth of Tibet, I think the most important thing is for them to concentrate on the preservation of the spiritual and cultural traditions of Tibet.  And His Holiness the Dalai Lama regularly gives them the same advice.

Q BBC What future would you like to see for Tibet?

HHK Since the foundation of the spiritual tradition of Tibet is non-violence and peace, my greatest aspiration is that Tibet abide in the future in a state of non-violence and peace or tranquillity.

Q The Times I understand that you have recently spoken about your parents.  Do you have any concern about your parents being ill-treated or your followers?  And do you know  where your parents are?

HHK Of course, one's  parents are extremely important to anyone, because in a sense our parents are of the greatest kindness to us of anyone.  And therefore, for me as well,  the situation and circumstances of my parents are very important. Nevertheless, for the reasons I explained in my statement, I felt it was necessary for me to leave them behind.  In this situation, I do not know the precise details of my parents' circumstances.  

However, I continually pray for the welfare of my parents and everyone in Tibet.

Q Star News What sort of cooperation have you received from the Indian government?  What restrictions, if any, have they placed on your travel?

A In general the Government of India  has been extremely helpful and generous to me.  In particular I have been given permission to reside in the country and  was also given permission to go on pilgrimage.

Q Hindustan Times Karmapa, it is said that you  were being reared by China for a political purpose.  If so, what was that purpose, particularly in regard to Tibetan independence?

A I have heard it said that in a sense the Government of China was planning to make use of me.  I was certainly treated as someone very special.  For example, when I was taken on tour in China to Beijing, I was well-treated. 

But I came to suspect that there might be a plan to use me to separate the people within Tibet from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Q  Asahi Shimbun  Your Holiness, do you plan on learning English and other foreign languages to communicate with other cultures as has His Holiness the Dalai Lama?

HHK Having been born in Tibet, in addition to Tibetan, I speak what I would call slightly broken Chinese, and I am acquiring a little bit of English and have the intention of learning Japanese some day.

Q Times of India Why did it take you such a long time to interact  with the media?  And don't you think that the interest the Western media has shown in you is a ploy to [?discredit, tape not clear] China?

HHK I agree that it took a long time for me to meet  with the media.  I wanted to straightforwardly present the true story of my coming here, but my situation did not allow me to have this kind of press meeting until now.  In answer to your second question, I think it is not only the Western media but also the Asian media that are interested in my situation, and as they are all free to take interest in whatever they wish, I cannot guess and do not know the motivation behind their interest.

Q Reuters I think we got only half  the answer to a question posed by my colleague.  What specific restrictions have been placed upon your travel in India?

HHK Having been given permission or status to reside in India, I am free to travel within this country.  The restrictions on this or exceptions to this are that I may not go to Sikkim and I may not go to Sherab Ling, which I find confusing.

Q Reuters How do you react to the assertion of some Karma Kagyu followers that Thaye Dorje is the real Karmapa?

HHK The identify of the Karmapa is not decided by a popular vote or a debate between groups.  It is decided only by the prediction of the previous Karmapa.

Q London Times What do you do on an average day?

HHK I study and practice Buddhism.

April 27-28, 2001

The 17th Karmapa's Statement to the Press, April 27, 2001 at Gyuto Ramoche Temple, Sidbhari, India

The Karmapa's First Official Statement to the International Press
His Holiness Ugyen Trinley Dorje's Statement to the World

From the auspicious location of Sidbhari, India (literally, Sidbhari means "field of siddhas") His Holiness Karmapa held his first press conference on April 27, 2001, hosting some 100 members of the international press. Below we reprint the Seventeenth Karmapa's statement in full. His Holiness also answered questions from the press. Since he arrived in Dharamsala in January 2000, His Holiness remained silent, out of deference to the situation and at the request of the government of India. His Holiness was granted official permission to reside in India in February, 2001. This is the first time His Holiness has been officially permitted to provide details of his departure from Tibet.

Press Statement from His Holiness
the 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje

April 27, 2001, Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University, Sidbhari, Distt. Kangra, HP, India

"On December 28, 1999, under the cover of a dark night, my senior attendant and I escaped from my monastery in Tibet and fled to India to seek refuge. The decision to leave my homeland, monastery, monks, parents, family, and the Tibetan people was entirely my own--no one told me to go and no one asked me to come. I left my country to impart the Buddha's teachings in general and, in particular, to receive the excellent empowerments, transmissions, and instructions of my own Karma Kagyu tradition. These I could only receive from the main disciples of the previous Karmapa, Situ Rinpoche and Gyaltsap Rinpoche, who were predicted to be my teachers and who reside in India.

"There have been various reports in the press about my escape, and so I will simply and briefly tell the truth about my journey. In great secrecy, my companions and I made our plans, using various stories to cover our true activities. For example, when the preparations were complete, I announced that I was entering a traditional, strict retreat and would not come out for some days. This story worked and prevented us from being pursued right away.

"On December 28, around 10:30 at night, my attendant and I slowly climbed down from my room and jumped onto the roof of the Protector Mahakala's shrine room. From this building, we leapt to the ground where a jeep was waiting nearby with Lama Tsultrim and a driver. We left immediately. The story had been given out that Lama Tsultrim and his companions were going on a journey. As if preparing for this, they had driven in and out of the monastery several times during the day, and, therefore, everyone knew about this trip and we could easily leave. Usually, the monastery was strictly guarded, but no twenty-four hour guards were posted and we also left through a side road.

"After a while, Lama Tsewang and another driver joined us at a designated place. We decided to head directly towards western Tibet since few travelers used this road and the check posts were not so strictly guarded. Driving day and night, we stopped only to change drivers. By taking back roads through the hills and valleys, we evaded check posts and two army camps. Through the power of my prayers to the Buddha and through his compassion, we were not discovered and arrived in Mustang, Nepal, on the morning of December 30, 1999. Continuing the journey on foot and horseback, we crossed over several passes and finally reached Manang as I had planned. This part was extremely difficult and exhausting due to the poor and often dangerous condition of the paths and the freezing cold weather. During this time, I was tired and not very well physically, yet despite the difficulties, I was completely determined to reach my goal.

"Once in Manang, a close friend of Lama Tsewang Tashi helped us hire a helicopter. We landed in a place of Nepal known as Nagarkot and then went by car to Rauxal. From there, we traveled by train to Lucknow and continued with a rented car to Delhi, arriving at last in Dharamsala early on the morning of January 5, 2000. I went straight to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the very embodiment of compassion, and he received me with his great love and affection. My joy knew no bounds..

"Ever since my arrival, the Dalai Lama has given his continual and generous assistance. Following his wishes, the Office of Religion and Culture from the Tibetan Government in Exile has made arrangements for my temporary stay at Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University. Situ Rinpoche, Gyaltsap Rinpoche, and other major Kagyu lamas, in addition to reincarnate lamas and followers from all the other traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, have come to visit and kindly shown their concern for my well being. This was a source of great happiness for me.

"Pursuing my aim in fleeing Tibet, I am now receiving from Situ Rinpoche and Gyaltsap Rinpoche all the empowerments and transmissions of the Kagyu lineage that are possible under these present circumstances. Kyabje Thrangu Rinpoche and other Kagyu masters are teaching me the treatises of the Buddhist philosophical tradition. In this way, I am preparing for my life's work to teach and study Buddhism and to encourage compassion and wisdom within the hearts of all beings.

"In 1959, my previous incarnation, HH the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, was also forced to flee Tibet and come to India as a refugee. He settled in Sikkim and, with the assistance of the Central Government and the State Government of Sikkim, he was able to build the Dharmachakra Center, Rumtek Monastery, which became the basis for his worldwide activity. It was venerated and famous everywhere as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage. Therefore, HH the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Government in Exile, Tibetan people from all over the world, and the Buddhist community of India, in addition to almost all Kagyu lamas and members of their Dharma centers, consider it extremely important that I go to my main seat in Rumtek. They have made repeated requests that I be able to do so. From my point of view, going to Rumtek Monastery would be like returning home to continue the activity of my predecessor. This is why I consider it so important.

"I am fully confident that I will be able to go there since Sikkim is a state of India. I am also confident that just as my predecessor did, I will be able to travel abroad to meet my numerous disciples and fulfill their spiritual needs. With this end in mind, I have submitted an application to the proper authorities.

"I am especially grateful to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Government in Exile, and the people and Government of India, all of whom have shown great kindness and generosity in providing for my stay in India. With great appreciation and respect, I offer them my thanks.

"In the past, the Gyalwa Karmapas did not engage in political activity and I can do nothing but follow in their footsteps. Concerning the future path of Tibet and the Tibetan people, I endorse and fully support everything that His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama stands for. Embodying universal love, compassion, and nonviolence, he is the supreme leader of Tibet and the champion of world peace and human rights.

"Recently, HH the Dalai Lama and my disciples in Sikkim and the rest of India, in addition to disciples and centers abroad, made earnest and repeated requests to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Foreign Minister to grant refugee status to myself and those with me. After due consideration, the Indian Government decided to grant us refugee status.

"With this new status, I was able to go on pilgrimage for five weeks, visiting major sites of Buddhism in the sacred land of India. In these places, I gave blessings and initiations according to the wishes of numerous disciples who came from near and far.

"Today, many people from the media in the East and West have come here for this press meeting. I consider it a precious occasion and give my thanks to each and every one of you. I thought it was important that the world know the true story and my true purpose in coming here. This was not possible until now, however, due to circumstances beyond my control. I hope that after this press meeting today, you will sincerely help everyone to know the truth. Tashi Delek."

April 27, 2001

AFP

BBC

BBC streaming audio

AP-Washington Post

Reuters

Indian Express

Telegraph (London)

Telegraph background story

The Times of India

The Tribune of India

The Guardian

Rediff.net

The New York Times-AP

The Independent (London)

All major news services are reporting on His Holiness' press conference, including the AFP, BBC AP, and Reuters. Due to the blizzard of press reports, we will merely list a sampling of references to articles and extract salient points.

His Holiness is only 15 years old, and for fourteen years of his life lived in a country where international media coverage is not permitted; he has never before been the focus of an international press conference. Nevertheless, according to reports from Sidbhari, the Karmapa conducted himself with the skill of a seasoned veteran of press conferences. Rahul Bedi, reporting  from Sidbhari for the Telegraph (London), writes that the 15-year old Karmapa "completely dominated" the estimated 100 reporters of the world's press." The Indian Express reports that "The Karmapa surprised members of international media by thanking them all in English. The media's first meeting with the young monk ended with an standing ovation for him."

Perhaps some day this feat will be listed alongside the other Karmapa legends such as leaving footprints in rock. (See the Telegraph background story for some information on these traditional feats of the Karmapa legend.)

One of the Karmapa's main points at the news conference was his pending request to be permitted to take up residence in his traditional seat in India at Rumtek Monastery. Mike Woolridge of the BBC reports that "He appealed to be allowed to go to Sikkim, the sensitive state in the north east of India, where the last Karmapa had established his seat in exile. . . .  [and he] said that for him going to Rumtek would be like returning home to continue the activities of his predecessor. He considered it extremely important." 

The report from Reuters sets the stage for the historic press conference:
"Clad in traditional maroon robes, the [Karmapa], the only senior lama recognized both by Beijing and the Dalai Lama, was speaking to 100 journalists from around the world in Dharamsala." The AFP described His Holiness as "confident and smiling," noting that he "spoke through an interpreter during the press conference in Gyuto Ramoche Tantric Monastery in Sidbhari, some 40 kilometers (27 miles) south of Dharamsala."

The most detailed coverage description of the atmosphere is from Rahul Bedi of the Telegraph (London): "The 15-year-old Karmapa produced an impressive mixture of acumen and dexterity during the press conference, dealing with a range of sensitive diplomatic, political and religious issues concerning his homeland. Urgan Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, sat on a chair draped with colourful woven brocades in a huge hall hung with elaborate Tankha paintings portraying stories of Buddhist folklore."

"Facing the world's press, he deftly parried questions on the Byzantine complexities of China's designs to destroy Tibet's religious, cultural and political future. In a subtle dig at China's attempts to weaken Buddhism's influence he declared through an interpreter: 'I hope Tibet abides in a state of non-violence.'"

"In the two-hour meeting with reporters, which he completely dominated, the Karmapa, considered the second most powerful man amongst Buddhists after the Dalai Lama, smilingly sidestepped delicate questions on India's role in granting him refugee status two months ago. He has not been allowed to travel to the Rumtek monastery in the north-eastern state of Sikkim and install himself there, which would officially confirm his position."

Another reporter from the Telegraph, Mick Brown, who has previously reported on the Seventeenth, Karmapa provides some background on His Holiness:

"His court at Gyuto is a miniature of the system that has served successive Karmapas for centuries. His inner circle is made up of his monk tutors and personal attendants, including members of the party who escaped with him from Tibet. Among these are one of the lamas who planned the escape (another remained behind), and the Karmapa's elderly chamberlain, who serves his meals, prepares his clothes and ministers to his daily needs, and who fulfilled the same functions for his predecessor.

"His closest confidants are two middle-aged lamas, one of whom he refers to as "uncle", both highly educated in Buddhist philosophy, fluent in English, well-travelled and politically astute. Then there is the outer circle, or labrang, made up of a handful of lay people who administer the Karmapa's affairs."

"While only 15, the Karmapa is a tall, powerfully built figure, whose presence seems to fill the room. His smile can change in an instant to an expression of fierce intensity which devotees call "wrathful". Even his closest attendants confess that they feel uncomfortable holding his gaze for too long."

"Conversing with him, one is left in no doubt that he has a strong mind of his own; his comments yesterday about China's President Jiang suggest he also possesses sharply ironic sense of humour."

The comment to which Brown refers is reported by the AFP:

"When the news of his escape broke, the Chinese authorities said he had left a note, saying he had only left temporarily to collect the "black hat" -- the 'crown' of the Kagyu sect -- and various sacred musical instruments." The Karmapa responded at Friday's press conference that "'I said in the letter that I had asked for permission to travel internationally and not received it,' he said. 'I did not mention the black hat and musical instruments. Why would I want to bring them back from India to China? The only reason I would want to do that would be to place the hat on (Chinese President) Jiang Zemin's head.'"

Nevertheless, Pratibha Chauhan of The Tribune of India that His Holiness was careful to refrain from "making any political statement against China, which could reflect adversely on Indo-China relations."

Luke Harding of The Guardian writes dramatically from Dharamsala of the Karmapa's answers to press inquiries about dissidents with the Kagyu order, noting that His Holiness has been publicly "accused by at least one dissident regent within his sect of being a Chinese stooge. He also faces competition from a rival Karmapa, who maintains he is the true reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa who died in 1981. `The identity of the Karmapa is not decided by popular vote or by a debate between groups. He is decided by the prediction of the previous Karmapa,' he declared, as the monastery at the foothill of the Himalayas resounded with thunder."

The Independent of London's Peter Popham was even more emphatic in his description of the Karmapa's rejection of the views of the dissidents. "Extraordinarily composed for his tender years, the Buddhist priest ­ whose full title is His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje ­ has stayed in a monastic university near the base of Tibet's government-in-exile in a state of virtual purdah since his arrival in Dharamsala on 5 January 2000. The reason was that although he promptly applied for political asylum, it took India 13 months to decide to grant it. He was given refugee status in February, and allowed ­ within limits ­ to travel. After a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Buddhism in India, including the site of Buddha's enlightenment, he invited the world's press to his "temporary home" to have a look at him."

"What we saw yesterday was not merely the incarnation of an august lama but an impressively intelligent and self- assured young man, whose departure from Tibet must have plunged the Chinese authorities into profound gloom about the prospects of killing off the Tibetan freedom movement any moment now. Since his arrival in India, the media here has repeatedly sniped at him, accusing him of being a stooge of the Chinese--he is the sole high lama to have been recognised both by the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government--a fake Karmapa, and a puppet in a Byzantine diplomatic game. The Karmapa will have silenced most of those critics yesterday."

The Karmapa noted that he planned to return to Tibet, but only after His Holiness the Dalai Lama had returned there. He further voiced his support for everything that the Dalai Lama stands for, but explained that he himself would follow the example of prior Karmapas and refrain from political activity. AP-Washington Post

The Karmapa emphasized that his mission was to minister to his disciples and as such, he could do so most effectively by returning to the traditional seat of the Karmapas in India, and by travelling to visit students throughout the world: The PTI reports at Rediff.net: "Hoping the Indian government would soon accede his request to allow him to go to Rumtek monastery, the Karmapa said his predecessor Rangjung Rigpe Dorjee after fleeing from Tibet had settled there establishing the Dharam Chakra centre, the important place for Kagyu sect outside Tibet. He also appealed to the government to permit him to visit other countries to meet his disciples and fulfil their spiritual needs. He said an application in this regard had been submitted to proper authorities."

Karma Triyana Dharmachakra

April 27 at Gyuto Ramoche Temple
Karmapa to Hold First Press Conference

Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, the Karmapa's seat in North America, has announced that "A historic, first press conference will be held by His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorje, on April 27 at Gyuto Ramoche Temple, his temporary residence near Dharamsala, India. This will be the first opportunity for the international media to hear directly from His Holiness."

March 23, 2001

AP Photo of His Holiness in Dharmasala

AP Photo of His Holiness and entourage leaving the residence of HH Dalai Lama

The Tribune

The Tribune

The Karmapa Returns From Pilgrimage
Karmapa Back in Dharamsala

The Karmapa returned to his temporary residence at Gyuto Monastery this week after his pilgrimage to the holiest spots for Buddhists in India. On Thursday, March 22, he attended teachings given by the Dalai Lama. The AP has published photographs of His Holiness at the teachings and leaving the residence of HH Dalai Lama . (Note for the latter photo that the IndiaTimes site rotates its photos regularly so the link will likely become stale quickly, though the photo remains available at the site under a different link name.)

The Tribune reported that after his return from New Delhi, the last stop on the Karmapa's pilgrimage, "the Karmapa drove straight to the Dal lake in McLeodganj to offer prayers. He was received by the Minister for Religion and Culture in the Tibetan Government, Mr Tashi Wangdi, at the Gyuto monastery along with other officials. Mr Wangdi said after this the Karmapa would be visiting Rewalsar in Mandi district. He was likely to leave for Rewalsar on March 24 and spend five days there."

Since the Indian government has relaxed restrictions on His Holiness's communications, he is expected to travel more extensively and to meet more freely with visitors. Security has accordingly been tightened, and a team from India's Intelligence Bureau has been at Gyuto Monastery since early March putting finishing touches on enhance precautions. "A high-level team of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) arrived here today to review the existing security of the 17th Karmapa, who gave the slip to Chinese security men, to arrive here in McLeodganj, on January, 5, last year. It was after almost one year that India, took a final decision on the status of the Karmapa, when they accorded him refugee status. The IB team accompanied by the SSP, Mr Prithvi Raj, and the local CID officials visited the Gyuto Monastery in Sidhbari, where the Karmapa has been residing for the past one year. 'In view of the changed scenario, when the movement of the Karmapa, will be much more, it was a review of the security of the religious head', remarked Mr Prithvi Raj."

Spokesmen for the Tibetan Government in Exile have indicated that they are inquiring with the government of India as to when permission will be granted for His Holiness to return to his seat in Rumtek. More on that to come.

March 15, 2001

AP photo of Karmapa arriving at Patna airport

Indiatimes photo of Karmapa in Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya

AP photo of Karmapa during opening ceremonies in Sarnath

AP photo of Karmapa at opening ceremonies in Sarnath

ANI newsvideo of Karmapa's arrival in New Delhi (streaming Realmedia)

AP photo of Karmapa on arrival in New Delhi

KTD

His Holiness now in Delhi
Karmapa Returns from Bodhgaya

His Holiness Karmapa has arrived in New Delhi, the capital of India, after a pilgrimage to Sarnath and Bodhgaya. Although the Karmapa has been in India for 13 months, this was his first opportunity to visit the holiest spots in Buddhism. While in China, he was not permitted to travel to India. While in India, he was not permitted to leave Dharamsala, until February, when the government finally granted him Tibetan refugee status. 

The Gyalwa Karmapa is now reported to be in Delhi, where he will spend a few days visiting various some famous landmarks and leading services. His Holiness is currently scheduled to leave Delhi to return to the his temporary rented quarters at Gyuto Monastery in Sidbhari, near Dharamsala, on March 18.

His Holiness began his pilgrimage with a stopover in Delhi on February 21st. The next day he flew to Sarnath, the place where the Buddha gave his first teachings. He next departed for Bodhgaya, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. These two spots are some of the holiest in Buddhism. He also visited nearby locations that are renowned in Buddhist history, such as the riverbank where Buddha practiced asceticism prior to adopting the middle path, the archeological site for Nalanda University, the great Buddhist University that flourished a millenia ago, and Rajgir, where Buddha gave the teachings on the Prajnaparamita, known as The Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.

The media has covered all the stages of His Holiness's pilgrimage so far. We have uncovered a few new photos and videos, and combined them with some photos we have already referenced here, to provide a retrospective of sorts of the pilgrimage.

AP photo of Karmapa arriving at Patna airport on departing from Bodhgaya

Indiatimes photo of Karmapa in Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya

AP photo of Karmapa during opening ceremonies in Sarnath

AP photo of Karmapa at opening ceremonies in Sarnath

ANI newsvideo of Karmapa's arrival in New Delhi (streaming Realmedia)

AP photo of Karmapa on arrival in New Delhi