GANGTOK, September 30 — For the first time in the history of the region, the 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Drodul Thinley Dorje, will travel to Darjeeling, to participate in pujas to commemorate the late venerable Bokar Rinpoche.
The Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre here informed that the Karmapa will leave the Gytuo Monastery on 3 October to reach Siliguri on 4th morning. He will leave for Mirik Monastery on the same day. On 5 October, he will perform the puja and will also preside over several other Buddhist ceremonies in Darjeeling.
The Dharma Chakra Centre at Gangtok has meanwhile, started preparations for welcoming the Karmapa, regarded by a significant section of followers of Kagyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism as their spiritual head.
Karmapa Orgyen Thinley Dorje’s accession to Rumtek Monastery, the seat of Kagyupa Buddhism is disputed and has thus prevented his visit after he crossed over to India from China. The present visit is likely to assuage the sentiments of a large section of Kagyupa followers, purportedly unhappy with the Indian government’s stance on the issue.
While a legal suit is currently sub-judice over his accession as head of Rumtek monastery, the seat lying vacant since the death of the 16th Karmapa, many of his followers here felt that by allowing him to visit Darjeeling the Indian government has partially relented to the demands.
