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His Holiness Urgyen Trinley Dorje

Kagyu Office and the Monlam.

:: WhoIsKarmapa.com web site

::"Tso Karmapa" video sponsored Ringu Tulku YouTube  

:: View 16th & 17th Karmapas (Chinese & English text.)

:: KKCW photo at Mirik, dated Oct. 12/05

:: Notes of Feb. 2007 visit at Tilokpur, Nepal.

 ::  Historic American visit, May-June 2008

Pal Khyabdak Rangjung Ogyen Gyalway Nyugu Dodul Tinley Dorje Tsal Chokey Nampar Gyalway De

His name means Glorious Pervasive Spontaneously Manifest [Guru of] Udyana, Scion of Victors, Vajra of Enlightened Teaching Activity, Accomplished One Victorious in Every Direction. 

All Karmapas are considered the continuity of one active compassionate essence.  As such, we can invoke him through the mantra, Karmapa Khyenno. 

The boy's parents told those who came to make inquiries about the circumstances of his birth that their son often rode off alone on jackals and goats into the mountains.  As a toddler, "He built toy monasteries and a throne of stone and earth, where he would sit and recite prayers."  Also, "When others were killing animals, he would look at them with great compassion and shed tears." ~ K. Holmes. Karmapa.

He was recognized in 1992 and on 13 June 1992 he went to Lhasa where he performed his first "official" religious duty on June 27 (BBC).  That same year he was enthroned in a ceremony on 27 September at the seat of the Karmapas, Tsurphu Monastery.  Chinese officials were there to present ceremonial scarves. Though he was not yet eight years old, 20, 000 people attended the September 29, 1992 Chenrezig Empowerment that was his first public teaching.  

In 1994, he was also invited to Beijing. 

His first recognition of a tulku was of the Pawo Rinpoche, in 1995. 

He performed the Dance of Mahakala in January, 1997.

At Tsurphu, he gave many teachings and empowerments holding audiences and blessing thousands of people everyday.  Then, he was to make a momentous decision. 

He arrived in India in January 2000 after a perilous journey, in order to be able to continue to benefit as many as possible.  

The powerful impression he made was captured by a reporter at The Independant, UK, who described him as "a tall, muscular, moon-faced young man in maroon robes, with a shadow of stubble on his shaven scalp and one eye a little larger than the other -­ as someone put it, one was for looking at the outside world and the other for looking in."

In 2001, he was given immigrant status by the Indian government, and went on pilgrimage to the holy shrines of Buddhism and to Ladakh.  Although he was not yet 16 years old, Karmapa's Monlam teachings at Bodhgaya were called remarkable by the monks and other devotees who attended, including those of other sects.

The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa was ordained as a novice monk (dGe ts'hul p'ha) in 2002.   He had already taken on full responsibility as leader of the Kagyu denomination by October 2002, when he requested Kagyu monasteries take steps to see that the special traditions of Marpa be carefully preserved through regular practice.  

Karmapa has been tutored by the most accomplished teachers of the Kagyu including Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim, Ven. Tenga Rinpoche and the late Bokar Rinpoche.  He is also close to HH the 14th Dalai Lama of the Gelugpa order.  

At Rumtek, Sikkim, Indian seat of the Karmapas: 

"The afternoon prayer to Mahakal and Mahakali, accompanied by the staccato sound of the gong, sonorously rolls out like it’s done for decades. The devotees swing their folded hands up in the ancient ritual, then fall to the ground. The dalda flame flickers on, in front of the compassionate Buddha. Only Ugyen Thinley Dorji stares back impassively, the unblinking eyes of his photo-portrait waiting for the arrival of the real thing. " 

    ~ Jyoti Malhotra  Indian Express Oct. 24, 2002.

In Jan. 2004, he again taught thousands of people (Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and others) at the seat of the Buddha's Achievement in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India.

On July 26, 2007 he turned 22, according to the Western way of calculating age, but he is still in temporary residence at Ramoche.

News

Karmapa: Hope of the future?

Mar. 1/05, invited by Ven. Ayang Rinpoche, Karmapa goes to South India.

Feb. 23/05, Times of Tibet, "Interview with His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee" by Tsering Dhundup [who lives in Toronto]:

Tsering Dhondup: It is said that at the time of your birth numerous auspicious signs were witnessed in your village. Do you remember your past life and the circumstance of your birth?

H.H. Karmapa: Frankly speaking, I do not remember anything about my birth; I am a normal child like any other. What has or has not happened were beyond my decision. Yes, my parents and relatives told me that there were numerous auspicious signs -- signs like the sound of conch shell being blown, which occurred during the time of my birth, was similar to that witnessed when the 5th and 13th Karmapa were born.

Tsering Dhondup: How do you compare your life here in India to that back in Tibet?

H. H. the Karmapa: Tibet is my country and I feel that I was happy living there; but I do not feel any unhappiness living in India.

Tsering Dhondup: What in your view is the essence of Buddhism?

H. H. the Karmapa: In my view, the essence of Buddhism consists in reducing physical, mental and verbal defilement. We should not harm other beings even if we cannot help them. It is important to develop love, kindness and sincere motivation. It is very important to practice these Bodhisattva qualities and contemplate on the essence of Bodhichitta. 

Tsering Dhondup: How can one manage negative emotions like attachment, fear hatred, pride, etc?

H. H. the Karmapa: Lord Buddha has shown that there are limitless methods to tackle one's problems. We must understand these methods. The important qualities are contemplation on the loving kindness, compassion, emptiness and meditation and practice them in our daily life. We must sincerely dedicate these qualities for the benefit of other sentient beings. It is also very important to have a genuine master to guide one in the right way.

Tsering Dhondup: The human society is beset with numerous problems, or rather, conflicts. How do you think they could be best addressed?

H. H. the Karmapa: There are many problems in our society and all these occur due to selfish motives. Important tools to resolve conflicts can be developing compassion to other beings, developing sincere motivation and putting effort to bring unity and harmony. It is important to think others as more important than oneself. 

Tsering Dhondup: How can we make our life more meaningful by applying the concepts of Buddhist philosophy?

H. H. the Karmapa: Our body, speech and mind are laced with defilement due to which we find ourselves subject to various kinds of suffering. We must strive for happiness by training our mind. If we manage to train our mind, we can bring peace, happiness, harmony and joy for all sentient beings. The problem is that we are not practically achieving them because we fail to train our mind. Buddhism is a very strong tool for taming the mind and bringing it to a peaceful state. So, if we can train our mind, we can definitely achieve peace and happiness, which is the ultimate aim of our life. 

Tsering Dhondup: How do you compare modern life to the ancient?

H. H. the Karmapa: The only difference that I find between ancient and modern life is the development of modern scientific technology. With the development of science and technology, there are fast communication between nations and individuals. But despite the absence of these, I feel that our ancient ancestors had more joy and happiness. People in the past were more peaceful, more motivated, more patriotic, and there was more love among the people. I respect the ancient people because they were very genuine and sincere in nature and understanding. And ancient culture is richer. 

Tsering Dhondup: Do you have any special advice for our readers?

H. H. the Karmapa: I have not much things to say now, yet I believe that it is very important to build one's life in a very meaningful way. Thinking about making one's own life as well as dedicating work for the goodness of other beings is equally important. The modern life is more busy and tougher, so it is important to strive to build sincere intention, motivation and indulge in positive and pure actions. As a Tibetan, we should not waste our time. We must do our own work as well as we must think about our nation to bring more unity and harmony among ourselves as well as with other people. Development of positive wishes is also very valuable. 

Source: Tibetan Review.

Jan.2005, a European contributor just back from India wrote:

Mirik -- The 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Drodul Thinley Dorje, today publicly expressed his desire, perhaps for the first time, to take over the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, something which the Government of India has until now barred him from.

In his short unscheduled address to a massive crowd of believers here at Bokar Ngedhon Choekhor Ling monastery, the Karmapa said: "I know you want me to come to Sikkim. I also wish to meet you in Sikkim."

The 19-year-old leader of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism went on to inspire his Sikkimese followers, who had turned out in huge numbers here.  "I have, with the courtesy of the Government of India, come so close to Sikkim. This visit should be an inspiration for you. My coming to Sikkim will depend on you, you must keep praying," the Karmapa said.

The statement made towards the end of an otherwise simple speech was totally unexpected. Though gladdening to the hearts of the followers, it is expected to make the Centre uncomfortable.

Ever since the Karmapa fled to India from Tibet, the Indian government has restricted his movements. He has still not been allowed to visit the sect's headquarters, Rumtek monastery, 24 km from the Sikkimese capital.

A huge crowd of devotees (around 15,000, according to the estimates of the organisers) had converged here today from all over the region, and also from abroad. The concourse jam-packed the small compound of the monastery.  Curiously, the police's presence was minimal.

An organiser said that the application to permit the Karmapa to preside over the final rites of his teacher, Bokar Rinpoche, in Mirik, had been lying with the ministry of external affairs for a long time. The trip was cleared only in the last moment, giving little time for the organisers to plan properly.

The day began at 5 am with the prayers in the monastery led by the Karmapa.  Around 2 p.m. the spiritual leader spoke to the assembled crowd outside the monastery for about 30 minutes with the help of a local translator, following which, sacred threads blessed by him and other items were distributed to the followers.

The Karmapa also had a few words with students of a local Tibetan primary school. He reminded them of the Tibetan situation, asking them to study hard, for they were the future.

The Karmapa is scheduled to give audience to the lay and monastic staff of the monastery here tomorrow. He will leave for Bagdogra airport on his way back to Delhi at noon.

A Few Milestones

Original message by the late Michael A. Doran of KTD, sent Wed., Jan. 05/00 at 4:29 PM concerning His Holiness Karmapa's flight from Tibet: 

We always believed that 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! 

His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche called today to confirm that His Holiness Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorje arrived safely in Dharamsala, India on January 5, at 10:30 in the morning Dharamsala time. He is currently with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche. 

His Holiness Karmapa left Tolung Tsurphu Monastery on December 28th with a handful of attendants. The flight from Tibet took seven days on foot. From Dharamsala, His Holiness is likely to spend some time at Sherabling, His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche's monastery, before journeying to Rumtek. 

Karmapa Chenno!  [<  the mantra is used here to express praise.]

calculating age: In 2006, Westerners celebrated his 21st birthday, but east Asians count it as his 22nd.

Ramoche: Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University, Sidbhari, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India.  It was offered as a temporary residence by the Dalai Lama.

Ugyen Thinley Dorji:  There are many ways of rendering Tibetan names into European languages such as English.  Urgyen  can be Ugyen, Ogyen, Orgyen, Odjen, etc.  Trinley can be Trinlay, Thinley, Tinlay, etc. since the r is not pronounced.  Dorje  can be Dorjee, Dorji, Dordge  and so on.  Also,  the word Karmapa  transliterated using the Pinyin Chinese system is Garmaba, and the rest of his name is rendered O'kying Chilai Doje.