Dawa Sangpo welcomes Thaye Dorje’s supposed willingness to face ‘test’

GANGTOK, 29 Jan: Karmapa claimant Dawa Sangpo Dorje, at a press conference here today, welcomed a decision he ascribed to Trinley Thaye Dorje of holding a ‘test’ to find out who the actual 17th Karmapa is. He was responding to a news-report in a Nepali daily which quoted Trinley Thaye Dorje as saying that he was prepared to face any test to authenticate his position as the Karmapa.
“I am happy that finally Trinley Thaye Dorjee has accepted and spoken on the issue of ‘holding an examination’ to find out who the actual 17th Karmapa is,” he said, while speaking to media persons and added that this should be done as soon as possible so that there is no confusion either in the minds of the people or the Buddhist community at large.
He also contended that the Government of India should now take a call on this proposal and stated that the matter should not rest in the hands of the Tibetan Government in-exile.

Trinley Thaye Dorje arrives in Kalimpong

GANGTOK, 27 Jan: Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje is in Kalimpong on a three-day visit. On his arrival at Kalimpong, he was accorded a traditional reception by the monks, both local and from Sikkim, informs a press release.
He has been invited by the local Tamang monks and devotees to Kalimpong to bless them on the auspicious occasion of Sonam Lochar. On January 26, apart from granting an audience to his devotees and monks of Kalimpong, he also imparted dharma teachings and blessings, the release mentions.

Trinley Thaye Dorje inaugurates Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, shares stories of Sikkim’s connection with Kagyu tradition

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: Trinley Thaye Dorje, revered by many as the XVIIth Karmapa, inaugurated the annual “aspiration prayers” at the Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya on 14 Dec. The Monlam is scheduled to conclude on 20 Dec and is being attended by thousands of monks and devotees, informs a press release.
Trinley Thaye Dorje, the release informs, is leading many prayers at the event, in particular the Samantabhadra Wishing Prayer, known as 'King of Aspiration Prayers.' Monlam is the Tibetan word for 'aspiration' or 'good wishes'.

International Kagyu Monlam at Bodhgaya from 14 to 20 Dec

GANGTOK, 11 Dec: International Kagyu Monlam, a mass prayer ceremony held every year in Bodh Gaya at the Mahabodhi tree is scheduled to begin on 14 Dec and conclude on 20 Dec with Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje presiding over the week-long prayer ceremony, informs a press release.
The 14th Gyalwang Shamarpa Mipham Chokyi Lodrue will also be present during the prayer ceremony, the release informs. This year, thousands of devotees, both monk and nuns, lay devotees, including a large number from Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal are expected to attend this mega-annual Kagyu ceremony, the release adds.

29th Anniversary of attainment of Parinirvana of HH 16th Karmapa

GANGTOK, 04 Nov: The 29 year anniversary of the attainment of Parinirvana of the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjyung Rigpe Dorje was observed at Rumtek Jimchung of the 14th Gyalwang Shamarpa Mipham Chokyi Lodrue today.

Thaye Dorje conferred International Sakyamuni Award

GANGTOK, 16 Oct: The Dharmadeshna Samaroh, commemorating the 55th anniversary of the first ever mass conversion of about 3-4 lakh people to Buddhism in Nagpur by Dr BR Ambedkar in 1956, is being observed at the national level by the Buddhist Society of India which was founded by Dr Ambedkar, informs a press release.

Trinley Thaye Dorje condoles earthquake deaths, leads aspiration prayers for Sikkim

GANGTOK, 21 Sept: Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje has expressed sorrow over the massive loss of human lives in Sikkim in the Sunday earthquake, informs a press release issued by his Public Relations Officer.
Today, Trinley Thaye Dorje led a special “aspiration prayer” session at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in New Delhi to express solidarity with the earthquake victims. He was joined by senior monks, nuns and a large gathering of Tibetan devotees.