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Index
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Background
Information about His Holiness the Seventeenth
Gyalwang Karmapa
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Description |
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The
Karmapas have incarnated in this form of nirmanakaya,
or manifestation body, for seventeen lifetimes,
as of the present, and all have played the
most important role in preserving and propagating
the Buddhist teachings of Tibet.
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In
1985, a boy named "Apo Gaga" was
born into a nomadic family in eastern Tibet.
In 1992 that boy was recognized as the Seventeenth
Karmapa. His biography can nevertheless properly
be said to start some eight centuries earlier.
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| Prophecies |
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Details
of the Seventeenth Karmapa's life were foretold
with startling insight in the vision of Chogyur
Dechen Lingpa (1829-1870), a great nonsectarian
master and one of the most renowned discoverers
of sacred hidden texts ("tertöns")
of the last few centuries. |
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The
songs of His Holiness Rangjung Rigpe Dorje,
the Sixteenth Karmapa, who was born in Tibet
in 1924 and left permanently in 1959, reveal
his prophetic foresight that his reincarnation,
the 17th Karmapa, would be enthroned in Tsurphu,
and in this way the Karmapa would see that
the main seat of the Karmapas would be restored.
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Many
see in the growing activity of the 17th Karmapa
the dispelling of obstacles in Tibet, India
and throughout the world, and the increasingly
vivid manifestation of the heart-fulfillment
of vision of the Karmapas. |
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After
the passing of the sixteenth Karmapa, it became
the responsibility of his disciples to carry
out His Holiness' wishes, to continue his
activities and to find and enthrone the 17th
Karmapa. |
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In
January of 1981, the XVlth Gyalwang Karmapa,
gave to his heart son, the Xllth Tai Situpa,
a protection amulet with a brocade cover,
and said, "This is your protection
amulet. In the future, it will confer great
benefit." Many years later, the amulet
was discovered to contain the prediction
letter for the rebirth of His Holiness.
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His
Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa In Tibet
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Description |
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The
identity of a Karmapa is not decided by a popular vote
or a debate between groups. It is decided only by the
prediction of the previous Karmapa. The 16th Karmapa's
sacred letter of prediction stated that he would be reborn
"to the north in the east of the land of snow."
This was interpreted at the March 1992 meeting of the
council of the four seat holders to mean that he would
be reborn in eastern Tibet (north of Rumtek). In May,
the Karmapa was officially located in the Lhotak region
of Tibet. |
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As
predicted in the 16th Karmapa's letter, the Seventeenth
Gyalwang Karmapa was born in the nomad community of Bakor,
eastern Tibet, on the eighth day of the fifth Tibetan
month, year of the Wood Ox (June 26, 1985). His father
is Karma Döndrub and mother is Loga. He has six sisters
and three brothers. The village in which he was born had
about 72 nomadic families, comprising about 430 people. |
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After
consideration of the evidence and additional meetings
with Their Eminences Tai Situ Rinpoche, Tsurphu Gyaltsab
Rinpoche and Shamar Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama
granted the Buktham Rinpoche, the official notification
of the Dalai Lama's approval of the identity of His Holiness
the Seventeenth Karmapa. |
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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 the historic arrival of the XVIIth
Karmapa to Tsurphu Monastery--home and original seat of
all the glorious Karmapas on June 15, 1992. |
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In
the traditional Ngasol ceremony, the Karmapa was consecrated
the seven year old Karmapa with the eight precious ingredients,
the eight auspicious symbols and the seven possessions
of universal monarchs. His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa
had fulfilled the prediction of the Sixteenth, returning
to the seat of the Karmapas. |
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Though
isolated parts of Tsurphu Monastery had been repaired
after the destruction of the 1960s, the return of the
Seventeenth Karmapa brought reconstruction of Tsurphu
Monastery to a completely different level. Most of the
original Tsurphu complex was restored, and new buildings,
such as the shedra, or monastic college, were added. |
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His
Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa In India
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Description |
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During
the years the Karmapa was at Tsurphu Monastery, government
restrictions limited the Karmapa's ability to teach
his disciples and receive teachings from lineage masters.
His Holiness decided that it would benefit beings if
he were no longer to stay in Tibet. Shortly before the
turn of the millenium, His Holiness slipped out of Tsurphu
in secret. His Holiness's own account, provided to the
press on April 27, 2001, is reprinted here.
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more
to come
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| Reference
Materials about His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang
Karmapa |
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Description
and citing pages |
| Background
and Recognition |
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In
approximately 1940, at the age of 17, His Holiness Rangjung
Rigpe Dorje, the Sixteenth Karmapa, composed a song
entitled simply A Song.
Background:
Songs of the 16th Karmapa
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In
1944, the 16th Karmapa published another song foreseeing
the flight from Tibet, expressing his sadness at being
forced to leave the glorious seat of the Kagyu at Tsurphu
Monastery.
Background:
Songs of the 16th Karmapa
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In
1961-62, upon his arrival in India, the 16th praised Tsurphu
Monastery and spoke of returning to that "pure realm,"
but evidenced no intention to return during his lifetime.
After his passing, it gradually became clear that the
16th Karmapa's reference to his return to Tsurphu was
a prediction about the 17th Karmapa.
Background:
Songs of the 16th Karmapa
Reference:
The Kindness of the Dalai Lama
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Details
of the Seventeenth Karmapa's life were foretold with
startling prescience in the vision of Chogyur Dechen
Lingpa (1829-1870), a great nonsectarian master and
one of the most renowned discoverers ("tertöns")
of sacred hidden texts of the last few centuries.
Background:
Vision of Chogyur Dechen Lingpa
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Some
of the details of the Seventeenth Karmapa's life were
foretold in the prophecy of the Fifth Karmapa, who predicted
that the 17th Karmapa would triumph over obstacles which
would threaten the continuity of the Kagyu lineage.
Background:
Prophecy of the Fifth Karmapa
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In
January of 1981, the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, gave to
his heart son, the Xllth Tai Situpa, a sealed protection
amulet with a brocade cover, and said, "This is
your protection amulet. In the future, it will confer
great benefit." Many years later, the amulet was
discovered to contain the prediction letter for the
rebirth of His Holiness.
Background:
Sacred Letter of Prediction
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| Confirmation
by H.H. the Dalai Lama |
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A
summary and reference guide to some of the publicly
disclosed communications from and to His Holiness the
Dalai Lama regarding the discovery and recognition of
the Karmapa.
In Tibet:
Confirmation by the Dalai Lama
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Since His Holiness the Dalai Lama was in Brazil when
the 17th Karmapa was found in Tibet, information was
faxed to His Holiness in Brazil, whose office issued
a provisional statment that His Holiness had confirmed
the identity of the 17th Karmapa based on evidence of
the search party.
In Tibet:
Confirmation by the Dalai Lama
Reference:
The Kindness of the Dalai Lama
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After
the discovery of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa and provisional
confirmation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in June
of 1992, Shamar Rinpoche announced his opposition to
the manner of recognition of the 17th Karmapa and that
he would not accept the Sacred Testament of the 16th
Karmapa. In the referenced letter, Shamar Rinpoche announced
that his demands were "suspended," but he
continued to voice his objections when he met with the
Dalai Lama on June 29, 1992. The Dalai Lama issued his
official confirmation after considering Shamar Ripoche's
objection.
Reference:
The Kindness of the Dalai Lama
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His
Holiness the Dalai Lama issued the Buktham Rinpoche,
the formal seal of approval and confirmation recognizing
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa.
In Tibet:
Confirmation by the Dalai Lama
Reference:
The Kindness of the Dalai Lama
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"In
Tibetan, there is a proverb that says where there is
great Dharma, there is immense Mara, and so there has
been a little disharmony and some difficult situations,
but these do not have great importance." Remarks
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama upon the occasion of
his official confirmation of the 17th Karmapa.
Reference:
The Kindness of the Dalai Lama
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The
Office of the Dalai Lama released a special nofication
concluding: "Thus, His Holiness the Dalai Lama
granted his final seal of approval and recognition to
the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. not randomly or hastily for
any reason, but after satisfying himself by means of
hearing a series of reports from all those concerned;
studying and paying due consideration to the overall
matter; and reconfirming the final indications with
exclusive traditional examinations."
In Tibet:
Confirmation by the Dalai Lama
Reference:
The Kindness of the Dalai Lama
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| Kagyu
Office Official Releases |
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After the passing away of the 16th Karmapa, the Kagyu
Office announced that the four heart-sons of His Holiness—the
current Shamar Rinpoche, Tai Situ Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul
Rinpoche, and Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche— had agreed
to form a council of regents to take joint responsibility
for the spiritual affairs of the Karma Kagyu lineage,
alternating as the regent of His Holiness, serving for
three years in rotation, each taking lead responsibility
for preserving the activity of the Karmapa during that
three year period of their term.
Background:
Interregnum - Transition between the 16th and 17th Gyalwang
Karmapas
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A
further announcement about the council of four throne-holders.
Background:
Interregnum - Transition between the 16th and 17th Gyalwang
Karmapas
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The
resolution accepted the resignation of Topga Yulgyal in
1992. Mr. Tenzin Namgyal succeeded him in the position
of General Secretary, and continues so to serve.
Background:
Interregnum - Transition between the 16th and 17th Gyalwang
Karmapas
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The
Karmapa was permitted by the Indian Government to speak
to the press and a press conference was held with the
international press corps in attendance. |
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A
transcript of the question and answer session with the
international press corps at the Press Conference. |
| Selected
News Media Articles |
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An
interview of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa by Luke
Harding |
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A
background piece about His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's
administration at Gyuto by Mick Brown |
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Time
Magazine
(May
10, 2001) |
An
interview by Asia bureau chief Michael Fathers |
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Kagyu
Office of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa