Barbara Crossette writes for The Nation that a visit to the U.S. by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa had to be canceled because the government of India wouldn't permit him to go. The trip, long planned and scheduled for the near future, had been unpublicized. I understand that His Holiness was going to visit the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Center in Woodstock, New York, and some other Kagyu centers.
As Crossette says, the government of India has restricted His Holiness's movements since he arrived in Dharamsala in January 2000, after escaping from Tibet. But India permitted His Holiness to leave India in 2008 for a highly visible tour of the United States. This year he had to cancel a publicized trip to Europe as well as the quieter one to U.S. To say that His Holiness is under "virtual house arrest" may be an overstatement, but only a slight one.
I have inquiries out to see if there could be any possible reason for India's actions other than the influence of China. As Crossette says, it appears China wants to squelch the Karmapa's growing visibility and popularity. They don't want anyone not under their control to become the public face of Tibetan Buddhism after His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is gone.
China doesn’t want a second “Dalai Lama” out there publicizing the disturbing things happening to the Tibetan culture right now. Couldn’t see why India wouldn’t be influenced by Beijing, as China is one of the biggest, if not largest trading partner India has. Money talks, justice is silent.
Karmapa is under house arrest for a reason, TO BE SAFE. It is in India’s interest if Tibet is free. China will not stop trading if India allows the Karmapa to do what he wants.
Even though I believe the Karmapa you refer to in this article is the true tulku, I wonder, where is the other 17th Karmapa? Is he also under a sort of house arrest?
Lise
Lise, that’s a really good question. I found the website of the alternative Karmapa to see if I could find a travel schedule. Trinley Thaye Dorje toured Europe late last year, but I didn’t find information on any travels this year.
Please forgive my ignorance, I read about China choosing the next Dali Lama! I do not understand why anyones movements are prevented. First, I thought Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th reincarnation of the 13th Dali Lami. I recognize only the present 14th Dali Lama. I have learned all my Buddhist beliefs from him. What is this garbage? I would so like to understand! My heart, my passive loving compassionate heart is not understanding.
It is deplorable if India acts on the dictation of China. India should have its independent opinion. I don’t think toeing the China line India will be gainer.
Well, India isn’t the only country that coddles the Chinese government. The USA has done its fair share in recent years. Remember the Olympics?
If China had that kind of influence over India then the Dalai Lama’s movements would also be restricted. More than likely India is concerned about Urgyen Trinley’s questionable relationship with the Chinese more than the other way around.
Ogyen Trinley has no “questionable relationship” with the Chinese; that’s absurd. And if he did, his movements probably would not be so restricted.
As far as His Holiness the Dalai Lama is concerned, he is too well known and popular around the world for India to touch him. According to the Department of State website, India’s primary trading partners are the U.S., China, U.A.E., EU, Russia, and Japan. India has to walk a very fine line between keeping China happy while not pissing off the rest of its trading partners too much. If His Holiness were kept under the same restraints, there’d be talk of sanctions, I believe.
The politics remain complicated, but as the Dalai Lama has been suggesting that he will make Karmapa his successor to keep the choice out of Chinese hands, Urgyen Thinley has responsibility for Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhism everywhere, not just Kagyus. There’s a huge Tibetan refugee population in India who’ve been tolerated by the Indians, although there is a history of conflict, and, of course, extremely vulnerable Buddhists in Tibet whose situation became more precarious when many defied the Dalai Lama’s request to not embarrass the Chinese Olympics.
It disappoints me, but those who have petitioned the Indian government on Karmapa’s behalf to allow him to travel to the West more have been asked to respect the situation as the Indian government has been quite generous with him.