Tibetans treasure `moment of joy'

Tibetans treasure `moment of joy'
S L CHAUDHARY & PRATIK KANJILAL

DHARAMSALA, NEW DELHI, JANUARY 9: They could barely see him through the window of his car but the first glimpse was enough. For three days, monks and nuns of the Tibetan community in Dharamsala have been waiting outside the Chonor House Hotel where their third most sacred leader has checked in.

They got to see him but only for a while when on Saturday afternoon, wearing a yellow and deep purple robe, the Karmapa was escorted to his room by policemen. Despite his seven-day journey across treacherous terrain during the worst time of the year, he seemed in good health, walking confidently without any help from the security entourage.

It was only on Saturday that the Tibetan government-in-exile broke its silence to confirm that the Karmapa Lama had arrived in Dharamsala with a six-member entourage, including his 24-year-old sister, Ngodup Palzon, and had met the Dalai Lama. ``It is true. We were all caught by surprise when we were told on the fifth morning that he had arrived (at Mcleodganj),'' said TashiWangdi, Minister for Religion and Culture.

According to reliable sources, Karmapa had with his associates escaped through a window of his residence at the monastery in a vehicle given by the Chinese authorities on December 28. He left at 10.30 pm and reached the Nepal border. There his group gave up the vehicle and crossed over into Nepal stealthily to reach the Indian border.

After the death of the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorji, on November 6, 1981, in Chicago, search for his incarnation was carried out by prominent Lamas of Karma Kagyu school in Tibet and elsewhere. The Karmapa is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

The 17th Karmapa was born on June 26, 1985, in Kham Lhathok in eastern Tibet in a nomadic family to father Karma Dhonup and mother Loga. After a thorough investigation, prominent masters and Rinpoches of the Karma Kagyu lineage recognised Ogyen Trinly Dorji as the 17th incarnation of the Karmapa. His recognition as the 17th Karmapa was confirmed by theDalai Lama on June 3, 1992, sources said. He was also recognised by the Chinese government. Still the choice has remained controversial.

For most members of the Tibetan community, however, just the knowledge that the Karmapa was in their midst was cause enough for celebration today. ``Everyone is very surprised but also delighted,'' said Tenzin Takpa, a doctor at the main clinic practising traditional Tibetan medicine. ``I have only seen his photograph before, so this was a very important moment for me,'' said Takpa, 37, a follower of the Karmapa's Kagyu school. ``He is in India now. He will have his freedom,'' Takpa said, adding that the news of the Karmapa's arrival on Wednesday had spread like wildfire. ``I learned about it when a man came to the clinic looking for the Dalai Lama's personal doctor because they wanted him to treat the Karmapa,'' he said. ``It was such a shock. I couldn't really believe it at first. But now I've seen him with my own eyes.''

Though dispersed across the globe, the Tibetancommunity is closely knit by communications technology. Nevertheless, everyone seemed to be out of the loop even in cyberspace. A European who had been in Tibet recently reported that there had been at least one attempt on the life of the Karmapa last summer and this could be the reason for his flight. A United Kingdom news group came up with the claim that many Tibetans regard him as a fake. The controversy surrounding the discovery of the Karmapa or Black Crown Lama is being recalled by many. Apparently, the predictive letters were misinterpreted, the search was conducted in the wrong place and one of the searchers succumbed to an accident. The Karmapa's position remained contested for a while by Thaye Dorje, who is also reported to be in India.

But the sheer rightness of the moment is carrying the day for the Karmapa. The jubilation of the Tibetans in exile is obvious from the first communication of the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra to the faithful: ``To all members, staff, and sangha, ``We always believedthat First Light 2000 would be an inspiration to all the world, and it was. What we could not have known was that His Holiness Karmapa would choose that time of practice and prayers to flee Tibet. His Holiness is now finally free!!!''