Karmapa Lama Denies Charges Of Spying For China

By Vishal Arora
Religion News Service

NEW DELHI -- In an unprecedented probe of exiled Tibetan Buddhist monks, Indian officials want to know why top Buddhist leaders had $1.5 million in cash stashed away at their headquarters in Dharamsala.

Police seized $1.5 million of cash in Indian and foreign currencies, including Chinese yuan, in a recent raid on the monastery of the Karmapa Lama, the No. 3 leader within Tibetan Buddhism.

Addressing his supporters on Thursday (Feb. 3) for the first time since the raid, the Karmapa Lama called allegations that he is a Chinese spy the result of "misunderstandings and mistakes."

Indian officials have suspected Chinese links with the 25-year-old Karmapa Lama ever since his 2000 escape from Tibet. The Karmapa Lama's office has said the money was "unsolicited donations" from followers from around the world, including in mainland China. Other monasteries are now expected to face investigation.

"India, in contrast to communist China, is a free country, a democratic country that is based on the rule of law," he told his followers. "Therefore I trust that things will improve and the truth will become clear in time. So please be at ease. There is no need to worry."

Comments

[jacobomorales]

01:47 PM on 03/21/2011

This guy really looks and has the whiff of a punk spy.

[Peerless Pillar of Power]

08:32 PM on 02/24/2011

From the article: "NEW DELHI -- In an unprecedented probe of exiled Tibetan Buddhist monks, Indian officials want to know why top Buddhist leaders had $1.5 million in cash stashed away at their headquarters in Dharamsala."

My question is why this would be unexpected. Nothing is given for free, even to exiled Tibetan monks, these days. They need their money and to use their unique social position to save more. $1.5M is very little, considering it's their headquarters.

I seriously doubt Karmapa Lama is spying for China, although there obviously will be some information exchange to Tibetans within the political boundaries of China as it is defined as including Tibet.

Tibetan exiles need less pressure, not more. Tibetans need native Tibetan language web services in order to preserve their culture and strengthen their cultural autonomy, even while being within the political boundary of China. Their language is paramount, and their religion is the next priority. Everyone should recite mantras.

[TCanada]

06:07 PM on 02/20/2011

I am not a crook~

[Pod-gers]

12:03 AM on 02/08/2011

Would the genuine Karmapa please stand up?

[Chris Fraas]

04:13 PM on 02/07/2011

As a Buddhist my opinion may be a bit biased, but I think this was just a case of someone not putting the cash in a bank rather than holding onto it. People in Tibet, I'm told, don't trust foreign banks and having lots of cash is a common occurrence there.
I think it's sort of a non-issue ...

[Saidas]

10:07 AM on 02/06/2011

Indian government officials are notorious for being corrupt. The Chinese government wants to destroy Tibetan Buddhism. Enough said!

[I3edlam]

07:39 AM on 02/07/2011

F&F

[Pod-gers]

11:43 PM on 02/07/2011

I cannot agree with you. The Chinese government sees Tibetan Buddhism as a huge tourist magnet!

[I Make Stuff]

07:59 PM on 02/16/2011

Monastaries packed with Chinese actors. Lhasa packed with cheesy electronic prayer wheels. They want to kill the real religion and just sell the remains.

[Pema Eusel]

06:13 AM on 02/06/2011

So, in the name of His disciples all around the world, we request that the Indian Government grant freedom of movement to H.H the 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinle Dorje and let the Lion of the Dharma spread the voice of Compassion and wisdom all over the world.
All the best for all,
Pema Eusel

[DoesItMatter]

03:44 PM on 02/10/2011

Yeah, give him back to China. And also throw out all the Tibetan monks out of India. That will do real good.

[Pema Eusel]

06:12 AM on 02/06/2011

H.H. the 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinle Dorje has flown from Tibet more than 10 years ago to escape from the Chinese control that wasn’t allowing Him to get the teachings he has to receive and to spread the Dharma as all previous Karmapas have done for centuries, because they are the incarnation of the activities of all Buddhas. In addition, the Chinese have put pressure on Him to speak ill of H.H the Dalaï Lama.
For many years, His millions of disciples from all over the world have been waiting for Him to teach Dharma and spread this non violent way of wisdom, and give Him a chance to resolve the crisis faced by this world where many are worshiping money more than wisdom. But until now, in spite of many visa requests, he has not been able to fulfill His role. He received a visa only one time to teach in America, and last year His travel to Europe was cancelled despite the fact that all His European disciples had spent a lot of time and money preparing for His visit. Not even one reason has been given for this visa refusal. .

[Pema Eusel]

06:12 AM on 02/06/2011

The 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinle Dorje is in charge of many monasteries where he provides Tibetan monks with free accommodations. Most of them are Tibetan children whose parents have sent them to Karmapa and want them to be educated per Tibetan culture which is not possible in Tibet. He also provides them with free food and educational facilities which are paid for from the public donations he receives from devotees. He has an account committee to maintain the record of public donations received and the expenditure of these funds. Therefore, he does not personally take interest in the accounting involved with public donations as he remains busy in meditation, management of his monasteries, the teachings he receives and gives on almost a daily basis..

[Pema Eusel]

06:11 AM on 02/06/2011

It is a common system, practice and knowledge that every religious organization or institution is run and managed on public donations and charity. H.H. the 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinle Dorje has millions of disciples all around the world. The donators receive receipts for their donations to H.H. Office, but it is not possible to give receipts to the devotees who come at the end of the teachings to receive the blessing of H.H. and at that time put their donations on His alter, or put money in the donation boxes that can be found in all monasteries. In regard to the Chinese currencies that have been found, all His Tibetan devotees who live in Tibet offer donations in Chinese currencies. Therefore, it is natural that H.H. has received Chinese currencies, and it is not at all surprising to find Chinese currencies amongst the donations in the 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinle Dorje’s monastery in Dharamsala.
.......................;

[quintus]

12:22 PM on 02/06/2011

An important fact: the Chinese currency (Yuan) seized was less than 10% of the total.

[Pod-gers]

11:45 PM on 02/07/2011

Thanks for posting a true fact!

[Matthew2010]

10:17 PM on 02/06/2011

A further important fact: the Chinese Yuan is the currency used in Tibet. One might expect Tibetans recently from Tibet to leave donations in Yuans.

[Pema Eusel]

06:10 AM on 02/06/2011

I have forwarded you the comment of a friend mine, disciple like me of H.H the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Orgyen Trinle Dorje.
My own comment, now:
We are very surprised to read what has been written for many days in the Indian newspapers about the XVII the Karmapa Orgyen Trinle Dorje, especially those articles highlighting him prominently as a Chinese spy. This accusation is not new at all. Anyone can find this allegation and many more without any proof in the books written against Him for many years.
We are aware that the Indian media tries to inform the public truthfully about all matters of public concern in general, but in the matter of 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinle Dorje, a one sided story is being written and broadcast by the Indian media. It seem that in this case the impartiality of the media, without which there can be no good information, has failed, and that the media has set themselves up as judges deputized for the Justice..

[Pema Eusel]

05:53 AM on 02/06/2011

The Power of Karmapa's Compassion
I have personally, seen and experienced how His Holiness handles conflict, difficult situations and adversity. His mere presence in a room is enough to bring people to tears. Tears of joy, tears of devotion, tears of faith. He soothes the most difficult of situation with such ease, such grace, such understanding that words could never contain the power of compassion he unleashes into his every move, his every breath.
Is it then surprising that devotees come from every corner of the world to seek his blessing, hear his teachings, and appreciate his genius? And every one of these devotees brings an offering, frequently a white scarf and an envelope with cash from their own country as a token of esteem to place before the living Buddha. I have been in the endless queues, many times. Never once has the Karmapa looked at the offering. He looks into your eyes and knows you; hence the mantra Karmapa Kyenno. Karmapa, know me.
Now, that's worth something.
Perhaps the Indian press will get the message.

[Pema Eusel]

05:53 AM on 02/06/2011

Creativity
The Karmapa is already a very accomplished painter, poet and graphic designer.
In 2010, he wrote, directed and built from scratch a theatrical play based on the life story of one of the greatest saints of Tibet, the yogi poet Milarepa. This immense undertaking, staged in a middle of field in India’s poorest region of Bihar,drew a crowd of over 15,000 and was such a moving artistic, cultural and national spectacle that it is still talked about. This was probably the biggest show of Tibetan culture and art in recent years..

[Pema Eusel]

05:52 AM on 02/06/2011

The Dharma
His Holiness regularly offers Dharma teachings to his disciples. Taught in a very direct, modern and clear way, translated into as many as 11 languages on the spot, these gatherings often reach 4,000 or 5,000 and during the annual Kagyu Monlam, exceed 10,000 people. And amazingly, after each session most people feel as if His Holiness was speaking to them directly. His compassion, power and inspiration is always felt by those who come and attend. Since last year, most of His Holiness teachings are also available live via webcasts and online. http://kagyuoffice.org/hhk_video_index.php.
...................;

[Pema Eusel]

05:52 AM on 02/06/2011

The Environment
HH Karmapa has been an out-spoken leader for the protection of the environment and in particular of the Himalayan region. In 2009 ( at an age of 24 ), he established the Khoryug organization to promote and sustain environmentally conscious living in all of his monasteries. http://www.khoryug.com/. He himself became a vegetarian ( an extreme rarity among the Tibetan people) and asked all his monasteries to refrain from cooking meat in their kitchens..