Karmapa and the Leadership of Buddhists in India --

the Chinese Noose around Rumtek Monastery.

By Harikrishna Nigam.

This article was originally published in Hindi in Sarita Sep (II) 2002, published from New Delhi , India . This magazine is the indigenous equivalent of the Reader's Digest in India , its articles carrying weight. This article was made available by Bhaskar Mukherjee, Photo Journalist, Patna , Bihar .

The following is a rendering into English done by Lama Shree Narayan Singh Oct 10, 02:

The monastery in Rumtek in Sikkim is renown for its education as also for its wealth. It is merely possible for an approximate assessment to be conducted of its infinite wealth from time to time. This has been the international centre and headquarters for the Karma Kagyu tradition of Buddhism. This tradition was established by Lama Marpa in the 12th century C.E. This monastery however, was established 1959. During the preceding days, led by Vinod Sharma, Regional Director of the Reserve Bank of India, a group of officials had gone there and prepared an inventory of the moveable and immovable properties owned by the monastery [under orders from the District Judge of Gangtok, Sikkim].

This took place as there currently exist two rival groups of claimants. The controversy between the present Body of Monks and the supporters of Urgen Trinlay Dorji, claiming to be the XVIIth Karmapa, has now become extremely bitter. When the Karmapa had come to India January 2001 [actually Jan 5, 2000 ] Shamar Rinpoche was the Abbott of Rumtek Monastery. He had openly claimed that the 'flight' of the Karmapa Dorji to India was a political conspiracy of the Govt of China. Currently the international media is highlighting the the political confabulations of Rumtek with great interest. Simultaneously since China is taking a special interest in this himalayan region it is being looked at with suspicion as well.

The four storeyed monastery of Rumtek, which is also known as the campus of the Dharma Chakra Centre, is situated on 74 acres of land, 24 kms from Gangtok. This had been given in donation by the Chogyal of Sikkim, Sir Trashi Namgyal. Although modern construction materials such as steel and cement have been used in its construction, complete attention has been paid to traditional and ancient Tibetan geomancy and design. In 1961 the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa had personally had an audience with the Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and had explained to him his projects. Then Mr. Nehru had also agreed to extending financial and legal help to him. In 1962 the foundation stone of Rumtek Monastery was laid during a big ceremony in which the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa and the [Chogyal of] Sikkim , Dhondrub Namgyal had participated. This monastery was completed after six years and during the Tibetan New Year, Dharma Chakra Centre was declared as the International Headquarters of the Gyalwa Karmapa.

Lying in the lap of nature, a massive courtyard graces the centre of the monastery which contains a massive [concrete] pillar around which the famous Lama Dances are held. The history of Rumtek Monastery is embossed in this pillar. There is a huge golden Dharma Chakra with a thousand spokes. Besides the monastery also contains conch shells, lotuses and a huge statue of the Buddha around which are also placed 1000 small, golden images of the Buddha.

Mahakala is considered the special protector of the Kagyu tradition. In the monastery is a temple, which contains a 13' high golden stupa in its centre [empowered by the reilcs of the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa] surrounded by images of the 16 Karmapas, including the XVIth Gyalwa Karma (1923 - 1981]. The Karme Shree Nalanda Institute has also been established here for higher Buddhist Studies in Tibetan. At this institute, together with Sanskrit and Hindi, English is also taught. This institute is affiliated to the Sampurnananda Sanskrit University in Varanasi , UP.

When the XVIIth Karmapa Dorji had become the focus of attention of the Indian media, when a short while earlier during a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya , [March 2001] he had visited Vajrasana under the sacred Bodhi Tree with his shoes on. On that occasion the General Secreatry of the All India Bhikshu Sangha, Bhadant Ananda, had demanded that action be taken against the spiritual leader Karmapa. Similarly Bhadant Ananda had been highly critical of the Karmapa for his not having condemned the destruction of the huge Bamiyan Buddha statues by the Taliban with alacrity.

Challenging the spiritual prowess of Karmapa Dorji Bhadant Ananda had stated that if Karmapa Dorji possessed such spiritual prowess then why did he flee Tibet? Bhadant Ananda moreover, alleged that this youngster has actually been sent to India in accordance with a Chinese conspiracy so that he could claim Buddhist property and subsequently create uncertainty over the leadership of Tibetan refugees settled in India.

Some intelligence officials and China-specialists in New Delhi also maintain that the Karmapa is actually a pawn in that Chinese chess move, through which it will be able to exert influence not only on Tibetan refugees settled in India, but also ensure that Chinese influence permeates covertly through the religious consciousness of the Indian peoples residing in the himalayan regions and gains acceptance.

Perhaps to avoid controversy, the XVIIth Karmapa entered the Mahabodhi Temple for the second time. On this occasion he went barefeet without any shoes on. This was evidently an attempt to remove memories of that incident from his followers. Interestingly on this occasion, Bhadant Ananda welcomed him and accompanied him during his circumambulation of the temple and the offering of prayers.

The XVIIth Karmapa had in January 2001 [read 2000] had secretly fled from the 8th [strictly 13th] century Tshurphu monastery, situated close to Lhasa, together with 4 monks and his elder sister. On that occasion as well agencies concerned with the national security of our country had upheld this to be a Chinese conspiracy hence of extreme danger to the country. The Karmapa too, upon his entry into India, never asked for the grant of political asylum neither did he criticise China in any way.

Why did the Chinese take a specific interest in this young Karmapa? There is a special reason for this as well. The Chief Secretary of Sikkim, Sreedhar Rao, in 1997 had sent a letter to Cabinet Secretary T. S. R. Subrahmaniam that the entire himalayan region, be it Ladakh, be it Arunachal Pradesh, is under the all pervasive influence of Tibetan Lamas. It has been reported that in order to increase its influence in these monasteries, the Chinese have been infiltrating them secretly. There are at least 11 Buddhist monasteries whose chief lamas enjoy Chinese support. It is therefore of the utmost importance that every step be taken to prevent the increase of Chinese influence in Rumtek.

The import of the letter written to the Govt of India was absolutely clear. The recognition of Trinlay Dorji by the Chinese Govt was in itself mysterious. This Karmapa is the discovery of the current religious leader Situ Rinpoche who is regarded with suspicion by the Govt of India. Having found that the Chinese were involved in this recognition, the Govt of India had placed restrictions on his re-entry into India.

It is clearly evident that the Chinese have been preparing for that period of time sans the Dalai Lama. Demands have also emanated from Sikkim that the XVIIth Karmapa be formally declared the chief of Rumtek Monastery but the Central Govt has been treating these demands with suspicion.

After the demise of the XVIth Karmapa a search commenced for his successor. The genesis of this controversy goes back to the claim of Trinlay Dorji to be instated as the chief of Rumtek Monastery. This is the reason that the Chinese started taking a keen interest in this young monk.

The battle for the possession of Rumtek Monastery commenced upon the entry of the XVIIth Karmapa into India Jan 2001 [2000]. After crossing over into India, the Karmapa had gone secretly to Dharamsala where he had met with the Dalai Lama. Almost simultaneously the Special Representative of the US, Julia Taft, and supporter of free Tibet, had arrived at Dahramsala on a tour of the refugee camps. Subsequently she had also held discussions with the Foreign Secretary Lalit Man Singh.

On the one hand, the US showed interest in this series of events. On the other, the competition over the succession of Rumtek Monastery picked up speed due to the XVIIth Gyalwa Karmapa's flight from Lhasa.

Aware of the growing interest of the Chinese in this entire affair, the Karmapa was not granted political asylum by the Govt of India, neither did he request it. He is living in India merely as a religious leader.

The XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa had established Dharma Chakra Centre outside Tibet as he had moved to India. He is the Head of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and the custodian of the Sacred Treasures of Vajradhara. The first Gyalwa Karmapa in this tradition was Dusum Khyenpa, born in Tibet 1110 C.E. He is known as 'the One who Knows the Three periods of Time' and it was he who had established Tshurphu monstery [near] Lhasa.

After successive Lineage Holders of the Karma Kagyu tradition, the XVIth Gyalwa Karmap Rangjung Rigpa'i Dorje had been born in 1923 in eastern Tibet. He had been formally recognised by the XIIIth Dalai Lama. Subsequent to the Chinese invasion of Tibet 1959 he had come to Sikkim through Bhutan.

The Chogyal of Sikkim had granted him permission to establish a monastery in Sikkim and Nehruji too had shown an interest in its construction. The XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa passed away in 1981. It is in his memory that the golden stupa was erected in Rumtek Monastery around which his statue is also present.

Urgen Trinlay Dorji, the young XVIIth Karmapa, had been declared the head of the Tshurphu monastery [near] Lhasa Sep 27, 1992. In the interim period Rumtek monastery has been functioning under the spiritual leadership of the XIIth Goshir [Gyaltshab] Rinpoche. He used to refer to himself as the Resident Regent. Ever since the protected territory of Sikkim has joined the Union of India as a full fledged member state, Chinese displeasure at this event has been evident occasionally overtly and occasionally covertly. This is the reason why the XVIIth Karmapa is being viewed as an integral part of the Chinese gameplan.