His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa visits South India Tibetan Settlements and monasteries five years after coming into exile. This is his first major interaction with the largest Tibetan Settlements and the visit materialized after planning for two years. After his arrival in India, where he was generously allowed to stay, he had a strong desire to see for himself the reconstruction of the life of Tibetan settled in India.
The South Zone Kagyupa Buddhist Council consisting of seven major Kagyupa monasteries formed a reception committee under the leadership of H.E. ‘Choje’ K.C. Ayang Rinpoche who extended the official invitation.
With the kind permission of the Government of India and the active support by the exile administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Karmapa arrived at Goa airport on the 28th of February, 2005 where he was warmly received by the Rinpoche and abbots of the south zone Kagyudpa Buddhist Council lead by H.E. Choeje Ayang Rinpoche, Representative from Drepung, Gaden, Sakya and Nyingmapa monasteries of Mundgod, The Chief Representative of the South Zone of Tibetan settlements, Mr Trinley Gyatso, and the representative of the Tibetan NGOs.
After spending a night in Goa on the way at Hotel Intercontinental Grand resort, His Holiness and the entourage left for Mundgod and was received at the Goa Karnataka border by the district commissioner, Superintendent of Police of Karwar, Shri Anand Kumar MP, (BJP) and reached the Tibetan settlement at 10’Oclock in the morning.
A very warm, traditional and colorful reception by a mammoth gathering of both the monks and lay community of the settlement at five different arch gates was a scene, of great devotion and faith with the spontaneous expression of love and respect by the people.
The first welcome gate was a presentation of Tashi Sholpa dance by the students and the local Tibetan Assembly, Representatives and Presidents of Regional Tibetan youth congress and Tibetan Women Association in their best traditional costumes with offerings of flowers and scarf’s in their hands.Rinpoches and abbots of Gaden, Drepung, Sakya, Nyingma, Ratoe and monks from Drikung monastery. The second gate was by the Gaden monastery and Nyingmapa monastery and the residents of the camps. The third was by the abbots, Rinpoches and monks of the Drikung Kagyud shedrup chokorling monastery, secretary and heads of cooperative societies. The fourth fate was by the Drepung Lachi, Ratoe monastery and the settlement. The fifth gate was by the staff and the students of the school.
His Holiness was received at the vajra throne of Karma Shedrup phelgyeling and offered mandala the Kagyud Dechen Chokorling and offered Mandala by Choje Lama Drupgyaud Rinpoche, Lama Thupten Gelek, settlement officers and Tibetan NGOs.
For many of the older generation of monks and layman, who had the blessings of the previous Karmapa, this visit reconnects them to the past. This is a spontaneous fulfillment of their live long cherished wish of witnessing the continuation of the great-unbroken lineage in their own lifetime. Similarly for the younger this visit proved to be an inspiration for them in the path of resurgence to link the traditional roots.
His the Gyalwa Karmapa will visit Kollegal, Bylakuppe, Hunsur, Periyapatna settlements and also meet the student community at Bangalore before finally returning to Dharamsala.
