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His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa
News Archive for March 13-15, 2000
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His Holiness the XVIIth Gyalwa Karmapa, In India
   Links to breaking news reports  

March 15

-Deccan Herald

The Hindu

Times of India

At an informal press conference given by the Dalai Lama as he passed through an airport on his way to Mundgod in Uttara Kannada district, His Holiness explained that the Karmapa wished to stay in India, because India was a second home for Buddhists like himself and the Karmapa. As the location where the Buddha and so many Buddhist masters have taught through the centuries, and where many current masters from Tibet live, India is a natural place to study, and to receive oral lineage teachings, of Buddhism.

The Dalai Lama also repeated prior statements to the effect that while there was no formal decision from New Delhi on the Karmapa's status in India, he had received informal indications that prospects looked very favorable.

The Times of India features a long article on a speech by Yeshe Togden, founder-president of the Gu-Chu-Sum, "a movement by  ex-political prisoners of Tibet." A former political prisoner who after release from prison escaped from Tibet to Dharamsala, Togden argued in the speech that Tibet would be granted autonomy within a decade because of growing dissatisfaction with the current situation in China itself, among younger Chinese. Asked why the Karmapa had felt it necessary to escape, he said: "It's a matter of self-respect, of personal liberty. The boy asked the Chinese government several times for permission to do his further studies in India, but they refused. So he decided to escape to freedom."

One wonders why reasoning about the importance to Buddhists of studying in India, quite straightforward to those with any familiarity with Tibetan culture, seems to be an alien concept to officialdom in China, according to recently expressed sentiments by Chinese officials. Perhaps it has more to do with cultural arrogance about China's superiority to India than it does with political agendas, such as communism or democracy.

His Holiness at the press conference also stated that the Tibet government in exile had been unable to verify the arrest status of the Karmapa's parents.

On another note, we have been hoping a blooper in a caption on an AP photo will go away, but it seems instead to be multiplying to other captions. The errant information states that the Karmapa is among "two billion" Tibetans who have fled Tibet and become refugees. It is true that the Karmapa has become a refugee, but the "two billion" figure is of course incorrect by many orders of magnitude.

Reports of the press conference are available at the websites for the  Deccan Herald and The Hindu. The Times of India carries the story about Yeshe Togden.

March 13-14

The Dalai Lama and China

There have been many news stories in the past few days surrounding a number of converging events.  The Karmapa was regularly mentioned by the Dalai Lama and various news commentators in connection with the Tibetan Independence Day celebrations. In response, a number of Chinese officials held a flurry of press conferences and answered numerous questions about the Karmapa. We have waited for these stories to settle, and present them grouped into the following themes:

• The Dalai Lama's statements concerning the refugee Karmapa's status in India;
• The Dalai Lama's other statements concerning the Karmapa, in connection with the anniversary of Tibet, and elsewhere;
• Beijing's statements about the reported detention  of the Karmapa's parents; 
• Beijing's statements of concern about the developing friendship between the Karmapa and the Dalai Lama.

Pulling these themes out of a myriad of news stories is somewhat artificial, and designed for clarity of commentary only. Many of these stories include references to a number of different themes. Please note that in those cases in which the references commented upon are included in a story whose URL has already been listed, we will not repeat the URL in the margin.

-The Indian Express

The Hindu

Asian Age

AFP

The Deccan Herald

Tribune (India)

The Dalai Lama is out of retreat and speaking publicly, and many people are asking him about the Karmapa. In an interview with Karan Thapar for the BBC program HardTalk - India, His Holiness said that he thought it would be "morally wrong" to deny the Karmapa refuge in India. He also said that "The formal response has not yet come but informally, unofficially, some of my old friends in the ministry of external affairs have indicated that the Karmapa will most probably be allowed to remain in this country."  Finally, His Holiness stated that it was his wish that "the government were less concerned with annoying China. 'Their position or attitude is a little over-cautious. There's too much sensitivity or caution but, okay, that's understandable.'" The remarks were first carried by the Indian PTI news service and reported in various outlets such as The Indian Express, The Hindu and Asian Age and later were picked up by international wire services such as the AFP.

When asked what he thought of the claims that the Karmapa was simply a "Chinese stooge," His Holiness the Dalai Lama rejected the idea, citing not only his own observations, but reports from observers of the Karmapa in Tibet: "My judgement is based on his behaviour or mental attitude in the last few years in Tibet. The Tibetan public, particularly in the Lhasa area, have witnessed the young Karmapa as very tough and very spiritual-minded." The Deccan Herald.

At this year's performance of annual Tibetan Opera known as the Shoton festival, on March 7th, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama watched the opera with His Holiness the 17th Karmapa. The Tribune (India) reported that "The Dalai Lama said the 17th Karmapa's main aim was to serve the Buddha 'dharma,' which would not have been possible under the Chinese regime in Tibet. He further said the Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, had taken a big risk by fleeing from Tibet. Making the Karmapa stand beside him while addressing the gathering, he said it was a matter of great pride that the head of the Kagyu sect was able to reach here safely. The Dalai Lama said it was important for the Karmapa to concentrate on his studies for the next 10 to 15 years."

-Text of the speech by the Dalai Lama

CNN/AP

Tribune (India)

Financial Times of London /Reuters

AP photo

Times of India

AFP

On March 10th, the 41st Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a speech. We limit ourselves here to the reference in the speech to His Holiness Karmapa:

"Because of lack of understanding, appreciation and respect for Tibet's distinct culture, history and identity, China's Tibet policies have been consistently misguided. In occupied Tibet there is little room for truth. The use of force and coercion as the principal means to rule and administer Tibet compel Tibetans to lie out of fear and local officials to hide the truth and create false facts in order to suit and to please Beijing and its stewards in Tibet. As a result China's treatment of Tibet continues to evade the realities in Tibet. This approach is shortsighted and counter-productive. These policies are narrow-minded and reveal the ugly face of racial and cultural arrogance and a deep sense of political insecurity. The development concerning the flights of Agya Rinpoche, the Abbot of Kumbum Monastery, and more recently Karmapa Rinpoche are cases in point. However, the time has passed when in the name of national sovereignty and integrity a state can continue to apply such ruthless policies with impunity and escape international condemnation. Moreover, the Chinese people themselves will deeply regret the destruction of Tibet's ancient and rich cultural heritage. I sincerely believe that our rich culture and spirituality not only can benefit millions of Chinese but can also enrich China itself."

The full text of the speech is available at the website of the office of the Tibetan government in exile. A number of wire services and press outlets reported on the speech and mentioned the Karmapa. E.g., the CNN/AP ("Karmapa fled Tibet);  Tribune (India) (developments with Karmapa point to misguided policy).

On the day of the anniversary, many Tibet supporters took to the streets to protest China's rule. A number of stories in the press mentioned the Karmapa as background, such as the Reuters wire report in the Financial Times of London /Reuters stating that "Refugees say that the escape from Tibet to India in January of the 14-year old Karmapa Lama, the highest Tibetan lama recognised by both the Dalai Lama and Beijing, exposes the lack of human rights in Tibet."

Protestors typically carried placards asking China to free the Panchen Lama, but on occasion also asked for the release of the Karmapa's parents. AP photo. In a similar vein, news outlets connected the Panchen Lama's recent appearance with the Karmapa's recent disappearance (from Tibet). In the Times of India: "Ever since the 14-year-old 17th Karmapa Lama escaped to India early this year, Chinese officials have been urging Tibet's living Buddhas and Lamas to be patriotic." The AFP, in an article on the Panchen Lama's appearance, concludes that "December's flight to Dharamsala of the 14-year old Karmapa Lama, another high ranking Tibetan Lama, reflects widespread disenchantment among Tibetans over Chinese rule, observers say."

-Asian Wall Street Journal

South China Morning Post

Allindia News/PTI

The Dalai Lama had appeared with the Karmapa on the same day at the opera festival, and the following day his remarks made in the pre-taped interview show were released. The anniversary of the Tibet uprising was scheduled for the 10th. On the 9th, Beijing representatives held  the first of a series of press conferences dedicated in great part to providing their official position to the press regarding the Karmapa.

Another impetus may have been a March 7th column in the Asian Wall Street Journal in which Jonathan Mirsky, "a London based China specialist," blasted China's actions regarding "The detention of the 14-year-old Karmapa's parents, the humblest of yak-herders, [a]s proof of China's rage at the boy's decision to flee and a warning to other Tibetans. Moreover, it is a vivid reminder that on certain matters that it deems 'Chinese concerns,' Beijing still ignores world opinion."

After knocking down a series of Chinese statements about the whereabouts of the Karmapa's parents, Mirsky wrote: "Now his parents, Dhondup and Loga, herdsmen from a community of 70 yak-herding families until their son was discovered, have been taken from their Lhasa residence back to their rural home where, according to an official statement, they have been 'detained for their own safety.' This is as likely as the hat story. Until shown to be otherwise, we must assume that what has happened is a replay of the kidnapping of the Panchen Lama and his family in 1995, except that this time the incarnation himself has escaped the net. The fate of the rest of the Karmapa's family is not known."

Mr. Raidi, the head of China's Tibetan Autonomous Region and Communist Party vice-secretary, flatly denied that Beijing had detained the Karmapa's parents. The South China Morning Post reported Raidi as saying that "the reports [of their detention] were groundless. The parents had lived comfortably in Lhasa earlier. They returned to their hometown when spring came to look after their livestock." All India News/PTI added that Raidi said that "spring has come and they have to take care of their farmland and livestock." Raidi was in Beijing to attend the meeting of the People National Congress.

-The Times of India

AFP

 The Hindustan Times

The Hindu

The Tribune

BBC

The Straight Times

 The Hong Kong Standard

China Daily

ABC/Reuters

AFP

From the point of view of the Chinese authorities, the accusations against Chinese policy in Tibet stem from the splittist activities of the Dalai Lama. The Times of India noted that the "news conference Raidi held for foreign reporters was consumed by contentious exchanges over two important and controversial young clerics - the Karmapa and the boy who disappeared after being named Panchen Lama. In both cases, Raidi painted the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, as the enemy."

The Times noted that Raidi revealed a "sense of betrayal" in the Karmapa's departure, arguing that the state had made great efforts to educate and care for the Karmapa, and that he had complete religious freedom at Tsurphu Monastery. Raidi explained that he believed that the statements the Karmapa has made about lack of freedom were due to the influence of the Dalai Lama.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao held his own conference to warn the Karmapa against the "Dalai clique." Zhu appeared to be responding to the Dalai Lama's comments to the BBC. He also said that while he had not heard from India about the Karmapa's status, he believed India should be cautious in granting asylum and consider the according to the principles of Panchsheel. The comments were widely reported in India. E.g., The Hindustan Times, The Hindu, The Tribune .

Different reporters had different takes on the significance of the various official statements. The AFP concluded that "Chinese officials at first were reluctant to speak about the escape of the monk viewed by Beijing as the head of a 'patriotic' school of Tibetan Buddhism loyal to China. But now they say the Dalai Lama is using him to promote Tibet's independence." Citing unspecified analysts, the BBC interpreted the comments as "wooing" the Karmapa, suggesting "that China was prepared to see the Karmapa return but was wary of appearing too enthusiastic in order to avoid a loss of face if the lama decided to remain in India." The SCMP and The Straight Times focused on the fact that the commentators played down the importance of the Karmapa in the Tibetan hierarchy, claiming that other than the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, there was no leader of significance. To claim otherwise, a spokesman contended, shows a lack of "understanding of Tibetan history." The Hong Kong Standard stated that officials had "declined" to say whether the Karmapa could return without punishment.

Still other commentators, such as the AFP, interpreted Beijing to be making a veiled hint to the Karmapa not to betray the motherland by becoming to close to the Dalai Lama. "China opposes the use of any force, under any guise, aimed at violating the unity of the motherland." China Daily.Thus the AFP opined that "His statements appeared to indicate that the Chinese government was ready to allow the Karmapa back into the country if he refrained from any splittist activities." ABC/Reuters was also ambivalent, explaining that analysts believed the door was open to return, but that the Karmapa might not be welcome.

Unfortunately, China itself appears no less ambivalent. On March 12, the Press Trust of India reported that the Chinese ambassador to India, Zhou Gang, warned Sunday that the 17th Karmapa Lama should not be "utilised to obstruct friendly relations between India and China," but refused to comment as to whether Beijing had any reservations on the Karmapa staying in India because "It is quite early at this stage to comment." AFP.

March 10-12

Click here to go to the news archive containing references to articles on His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa dated March 10-12, 2000

Click here to go to the news archive containing references to articles on His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa dated March 7-9, 2000

March 4-6

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February 20-27

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February 17-19

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February 8-16

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February 4-7

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January 28-February 4

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January 24-27

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January 22-23

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January 20-22

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January 18-19

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January 15-17

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January 12-14

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January 11

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January 10

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January 9

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January 8

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January 7

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