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Return to Tsurphu (June 1992)
On June 15, 1992, His Holiness arrived in an entourage of seven jeeps followed by two trucks along the main road to Tsurphu, which was adorned with greetings and filled with the aroma of burning incense. The motorcade was flanked by riders on horseback, with each horse and rider fully arrayed the noblest attire. As the motorcade moved slowly up the winding road towards the Monastery, the melody of the religious mescal trumpets called gyalings (rgya gling) welcomed the Karmapa back to his main seat, established so many centuries earlier by the 1st Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa.
After tea, His Holiness was driven to the main entrance of the monastery, where he mounted a white horse. The 17th Karmapa was escorted on horseback through the front gate in a traditional grand procession, surrounded by monks holding a huge canopy overhead, with other carrying colorful banners and flags. As he entered the main gate, monastic dancers arrayed in traditional costumes and masks as snow lions and other figures performed around him. His Holiness was seated in a special throne prepared for him in front of the main temple, where he was offered symbolic Snow Lion's milk, amidst the magnificent and sacred spectacle of the performance of the Mahakala Bernakchen dance. 
His Holiness was then escorted into the main Lhakhang, where he took his seat on the throne of the Karmapas. He was presented with elaborate offerings of Buddha statues, Dharma texts and precious objects. A blessing ceremony was held for the thousands of devotees eagerly waiting to be close to His Holiness, which went on for many hours. As dancing and singing in the courtyard continued for many hours into the late evening, opera singers resplendent in their colorful costumes and masks together with some other singers celebrated this historic arrival of the XVIIth Karmapa to Tsurphu Monastery--home and original seat of all the glorious Karmapas.
[1] From The Song Whose Time Has Come: The Melodious Hum of the Bee (1944) by The Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa |
HH Gyalwa Karmapa
Detailed biographical information about His Holiness the 17th Karmapa is available from the drop down menus above. The materials are divided into: 17th Karmapa (His Holiness's current activities and schedule) Background (Kagyu history regarding predictions about the 17th Karmapa) In Tibet (His Holiness's early years, enthronement in Tibet and activity at Tsurphu Monastery) In India (The Karmapa's escape to India and activities in India) Reference (Official releases from the Kagyu Office and historical background documents referenced in other sections) When not traveling, His Holiness holds regular public audiences at his temporary camp at the Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University in Dharamsala, HP, India |
Kagyu Office of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (about the Kagyu Office) Web pages © Kagyu Office except as noted in the text of the page or on the copyright notice page (click link for copyright information); photographs, drawings and images © Kagyu Office except as noted in the text of the page or on the copyright notice page (click link for copyright information) Web design by His Holiness Karmapa's Office of Administration |
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His
Holiness the 16th Karmapa fled Tibet
in 1959 and since that time Tsurphu
Monastery had been without a Karmapa
in residence. Thus the arrival of
the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa
was greeted with great anticipation.
When word reached the Tibetans that
the reincarnation of the Karmapa had
been found and hat he was being brought
to Tsurphu Monastery, thousands of
his followers gathered in great joy.
The
Karmapa first stepped out of the vehicles
at his Summer Palace, about 15 minutes
from the main entrance to the monastery.
Accompanied by his parents and members
of the search party, His Holiness
the Gyalwang Karmapa received monks
from Tsurphu and Chinese and Tibetan
officials who had come to pay their
respects. 
