Why was the Karmapa's US tour cancelled?

[Ngawang Drolma]

Why was the Karmapa's US tour cancelled?
Claude Arpi | 2010-07-16 17:41:25

Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, has been denied permission to leave on a two-week religious tour to the US later this month.

"The Karmapa was scheduled to attend prayer sessions being organised by Karma Triyana Dharamchakra centre in Woodstock in New York, but Indian authorities refused to grant him permission to visit there," said the Karmapa's secretary Gompo Tsering. "We fail to understand that why restrictions were imposed on his movement as the tour was purely a religious one."

Earlier this year, the young Karmapa was denied permission to attend a series of religious teachings in nine European countries.

What could be the reason for the Government's refusal? Particularly given that the head of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, who lives in the Gyuto Tantric Monastery, near Dharamsala, had earlier been granted permission by the Government of India to visit the United States in May 2008?

Everyone remembers how the 15-year old Karmapa, in a Bollywood-type escape reached Dharamsala in January 2001 after crossing the highest Himalayan passes in the midst of winter, and the initial reluctance of the Indian government to grant him refugee status.

To read more, click the link below:

http://sify.com/news/why-was-the-karmapa-s-us-tour-cancelled-news-national-khqrFzgfhfi.html

[conebeckham]

If I recall, HH Gyalwa Karmapa's office responded after the European Tour was cancelled, and they indicated that people should not fault India for the cancellation. This article is written by a Frenchman, published in an Indian forum. I would just counsel people to not jump to conclusions regarding whose "Fault" it was.

HH Karmapa has repeatedly stressed his gratitude for the kindness of his adoptive country.

[Ngawang Drolma]

Thank you very much Conebeckham for clearing that up. If you just read this without any other information it's kind of alarming!

Best,
Laura

[Sönam]

Plus Karmapa is on his way to Switzerland ... (which is not Europa )

Sönam

[kirtu]

Plus Karmapa is on his way to Switzerland ... (which is not Europa )

Sonam - Is he for sure touring Switzerland?

Kirt

[Sönam]

Plus Karmapa is on his way to Switzerland ... (which is not Europa )

Sonam - Is he for sure touring Switzerland?

Kirt

A friend (shangpa lama) told me it was already arranged ... on another hand I read he was expecting his visa. My intuition is that it will work ... because Swiss is not Europa.
But sure we will have the confirmation soon ...

http://www.karmapa2010.ch/ ... they say the request is underway ...

Sönam

[narraboth]

Plus Karmapa is on his way to Switzerland ... (which is not Europa )

Sonam - Is he for sure touring Switzerland?

Kirt

A friend (shangpa lama) told me it was already arranged ... on another hand I read he was expecting his visa. My intuition is that it will work ... because Swiss is not Europa.
But sure we will have the confirmation soon ...

http://www.karmapa2010.ch/ ... they say the request is underway ...

Sönam

I truely wish that he can come, but I am not sure if europe and switzerland make big differences for Indian government.... If they refused a tour to europe, I can't see the reason they will grant a tour to swiss.

[conebeckham]

Again---don't be sure it's the Indian Gov't. that is "to blame." There are a whole bunch of factors in play.

[Sönam]

the visit to Switzerland has been canceled ...

Karmapa Chenno !

[narraboth]

Surely it's Indian government, otherwise whom HH Karmapa's office sent application to and who refused his visit? In the end India is an independent state, the government is responsible for its own decision no matter how many factors involve isn't it? Indian Gov might have its own concern, I respect that, but I can't say that I am not disappointed even I don't 'blame' it.

I think the focus of not to blame someone is 'not to blame' rather than 'someone'.

Again---don't be sure it's the Indian Gov't. that is "to blame." There are a whole bunch of factors in play.

[Sönam]

‎"Chinese government has suddently impose a ban on the pictures of Karmapa."

http://enrichingthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/07/karmapas-pictures-banned.html

Karmapa Chenno

Sönam

[Sonam Wangchug]

Very sad they are banning pictures of HH karmapa

[narraboth]

the link is not available anymore.
I think even there is a ban, it's limited in some 'sensitive' area.

Seems in Han-Chinese area, news and teaching of Karmapa are still freely spreading.
http://www.karmapa-chinabbs.com/

And I think it's too late for Chinese communists to against Karmapa since there are already many Karmapa followers (not just Tibetan) in whole China. Karmapa can speak good Mandarin and more than once said that he feels close to Chinese culture. Chinese Buddhists must also feel something special on him.

[Jangchup Donden]

the link is not available anymore.
I think even there is a ban, it's limited in some 'sensitive' area.

Seems in Han-Chinese area, news and teaching of Karmapa are still freely spreading.
http://www.karmapa-chinabbs.com/

And I think it's too late for Chinese communists to against Karmapa since there are already many Karmapa followers (not just Tibetan) in whole China. Karmapa can speak good Mandarin and more than once said that he feels close to Chinese culture. Chinese Buddhists must also feel something special on him.

HH Karmapa was also recognized by the Chinese government, so I don't know if they'd want to admit they were wrong about that.

[Luke]

from the article posted above:
"...Thagye Dorjee who is presently living in Europe."

I just wanted to point out that this information is incorrect. Karmapa Thaye Dorje lives in India and has lived there for a long time. I don't think he ever had a permanent residence in Europe. He received his traditional Tibetan Buddhist education as well as his western education in India. He came to give teachings in Europe for the first time in the year 2000.

I hope your Karmapa's travel problems are cleared up soon.

[Sönam]

Karmapa who's images are banned is the Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje ...

[narraboth]

' "your" Karmapa's travel problems' ?

opps

[Luke]

Karmapa who's images are banned is the Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje ...

Exactly, but since my sangha follows Karmapa Thaye Dorje, I wanted to correct the incorrect information about him from that article.

I also wanted to express kind wishes towards your Karmapa (Ogyen Trinley Dorje).