Karmapa addresses followers in Dharamsala, comforts them not to worry

“INDIA IS SECOND HOMELAND OF TIBETANS. TRUTH WILL BECOME CLEAR IN TIME”
GANGTOK, 03 Feb: Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje addressed a huge gathering of supporters this afternoon at Dharamsala, a press statement issued by the Karmapa Office of Administration informs.
The office of the Karmapa informs that in his address to his followers, the Karmapa acknowledged the “difficult situation” gripping the organisation at present but stressed that he “trusts that the matter will be cleared in time”.

A peace rally taken out in support of the
Karmapa in Ravangla, South Sikkim,
on 02 Feb, 2011

The Karmapa also contrasted the rule of law in India to the authoritarian system of communist China, calling India a second homeland for Tibetans. This public celebration of the Indian system, despite the universally accepted fact that the system here has not always been fair to the Karmapa, slams in the face of media speculations which had sought to portray the Karmapa as never having spoken against China.
“We usually hold public audiences on Wednesdays and Saturdays,” the Karmapa said in his address, adding, “Today, so many people have gathered to show their love, sincere intentions and support, and I want to especially thank you and express my heartfelt gratitude. We are now facing such a situation, which has arisen due to misunderstandings and mistakes, that it has even caused concern to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
“India has become a second homeland to Tibetans. We all have taken refuge and settled here. India, in contrast to communist China, is a free country, a democratic country that is based on the rule of law. Therefore I trust that things will improve and the truth will become clear in time. So please be at ease. There is no need to worry.
“You have all borne hardship to come here under this hot sun, and I thank you for that too. It seems there are too many people here today to receive you individually. You can see me from there and I can see you, so perhaps there is no need to give individual blessings.”
The comments marked the first time that the Karmapa has spoken publicly since investigations into the recovery of crores in cash from the Gyuto Monastery, where the Karmapa has been living for the past ten years.
The Karmapa, his office informs, was speaking at the behest of several thousand Tibetan supporters who had staged a march from the residence of the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj to the Karmapa’s residence in the Kangra valley, a march of several hours.
Shops were closed in McLeod Ganj, as virtually the entire Tibetan town joined the 20 km march to register support for the Karmapa, the press communiqué informs.
The organizers of the march, members of the Free Tibet movement, specified that it was not a protest, explaining that they were not opposing anyone, but merely showing their unequivocal confidence and trust in the Karmapa.
In a show of solidarity towards the Karmapa, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Dolma Gyari, and seven other members of the Tibetan government shared the stage with the Karmapa while he spoke, the release adds.
The Karmapa’s office adds that since the investigation began, the Karmapa has continued to receive visitors and participate in a major annual rituals while also offering his full cooperation to the investigation.