‘Allegations Against
Gyalwang Karmapa and Administration Baseless’[Sunday, 30 January 2011, 10:52 a.m.]
DHARAMSHALA:
The Karmapa Office has categorically refuted the allegations levelled
against the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje and his
administration following the police investigation at Gyuto monastery in
Dharamsala.”We would like to categorically state that the
allegations being levelled against the Karmapa and his administration
are grossly speculative and without foundation in the truth. Everyone
who knows the history of our lineage, our struggle and Gyalwang
Karmapa’s life is very surprised by the allegations,” the office said in
a statement issued on 29 January.”We categorically deny having
any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese Government. The Karmapa
has a deep affection for the people of this great country of India where
he has been practicing his faith for years. We have had a long and
positive working relationship with the democratic Government of India
that has always demonstrated great tolerance of cultural expression and
diverse beliefs.”We have followers in a large number of
countries who have placed their trust and faith in us and, through their
individual donations, enabled the sect to undertake substantial
programmes of public service that have benefitted many thousands in
India and abroad.”Monasteries across the world accept offerings
from devotees in various forms-there is nothing surprising, new or
irregular in this. A representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s
office underlined this yesterday. The cash in question under the current
investigation by the police is offerings received for charitable
purposes from local and international disciples from many different
countries wishing to support His Holiness’ various charitable
activities. Any suggestion that these offerings were to be used for
illegal purposes is libellous.”At this point, about the Chinese
currency we can say that he has a large following of Tibetans from Tibet
who make donations in Chinese currency. The fact is that His Holiness
the Karmapa has millions of followers around the world, who hold him in
the highest esteem and reverence. All our dealings across the world are
honest and completely transparent-anything else would be contrary to the
Buddhist principals that we live by.”Because the Gyalwang
Karmapa resides in temporary quarters in Dharamsala, his Office of
Administration has been seeking to build a monastery as a permanent
residence for him. This project is clearly subject to Indian government
approval. The Gyalwang Karmapa’s office has kept the relevant Indian
government agencies fully informed of its recent plans to purchase
suitable land. The potential site was evaluated and cleared by the
appropriate governmental offices. The negotiations to purchase the land
are still in progress, have been reported to the Indian authorities, and
are completely above board.”I can confirm that Shakti Lama was
taken into custody yesterday but we are confident of his release very
shortly, as soon as we provide the law with the answers they are looking
for. I can also confirm that Gyalwang Karmapa has made himself fully
available for questioning by the officers concerned.”We will
supply as much information as available, as regularly as possible but
would also like to state that our first priority is to cooperate fully
with the investigations underway,” the statement noted.
