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Reference Materials about the Seventeenth Karmapa |
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Description and citing pages |
Traditional Materials on Recognition of the 17th Karmapa |
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A
Song |
In approximately 1940, at the age of 17, His Holiness Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, the Sixteenth Karmapa, composed a song entitled simply A Song. |
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The
Melodious Hum of the Bee (1944) |
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. |
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Blissful
Roar Of Melodius Experience (1961-62) |
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 |
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Vision
of Chogyur Dechen Lingpa (mid-19th century) |
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. |
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A
Prophecy of the Fifth Karmapa (early 15th century) |
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. |
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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. |
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Confirmation by H.H. the Dalai Lama |
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The
Kindness of the Dalai Lama (1961 - 1992) |
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. |
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Initial
Communication with preliminary confirmation: (June 9, 1992) |
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 |
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Objection
Letter (June 17, 1992) |
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. |
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Finald confirmation: The
Buktham Rinpoche (June 30, 1992) |
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 |
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Brief
Advice of the Dalai Lama (June 30, 1992) |
"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. |
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Special
Official Notification (July 23, 1992) |
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 |
Karmapa's Office of Administration: 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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Resolution
of the International Kagyu Conference (December 3, 1992) |
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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Press
Statement of the Karmapa (April 27, 2001) |
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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Transcript
of Press Conference of the Karmapa (April 27, 2001) |
A transcript of the question and answer session with the international press corps at the Press Conference. |
Statement Regarding Order of the Sikkim Court
(15 June, 2002) |
A press release from the Kagyu Office describing the request of His Holiness for his followers to comply with the lawful orders of the court regarding an inventory of sacred possessions of Rumtek Monastery sought in a court action brought by opponents of the Kagyu administration |
| The Kagyü Office of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa notification through its legal counsel that a motion designed to bring the litigation over Dharma Chakra Centre, Rumtek Monastery to a swifter conclusion has been unsuccessful. Although the Kagyü Office is disappointed with the news because it will prolong the litigation, the ruling by the Supreme Court of India was not unexpected due to the legal technicalities involved in the underlying suit. | |
| Zhanag Dzodpa (General Secretary to the Holder of the Black Crown) Tenzin Namgyal was born in 1933 in the Year of the Female Water Bird in deva-bhumi Todlung Tsurphu into the family line of the 14th Karmapa 'Nakharsharu Khangsar.' With peaceful countenance he passed away on the evening of June 8, 2005 in Nepal. | |
| Statement identifying the officials at the temporary residence at Gyuto Monastery, Sidhbari, Dharamsala, who manage the office of His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa, and officials at Dharma Chakra Centre, Rumtek Administration. Also, information on donations and audience notification procedures. | |
| A letter clarifying the nature of the meeting with Shamar Rinpoche. | |
| His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa appointed the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche as the representative of the Tsuphu Labrang, the Karmapa's Office of Administration, in the United States. He was given full responsibility to oversee and direct the organization of the visit of His Holiness to the United States. Lama Phuntsok was appointed assistant. | |
| The government of India graciously provided His Holiness Karmapa permission to travel to the United States in May. This is His Holiness Karmapa's first trip to the West. | |
Selected News Media Articles |
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Observer (April 29, 2001) |
An interview of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa by Luke Harding |
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Telegraph (April 28, 2001) |
A background piece about His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's administration at Gyuto by Mick Brown |
Time
Magazine (May 10, 2001) |
An interview by Asia bureau chief Michael Fathers |
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)
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