One year after His Holiness' courageous escape from Tibet, journalists from around the world reported on the Karmapa's life in India. An excellent report appeared in December 2000 as a cover story in the Indian news magazine The Week.
During the last week in January, 2001, His Holiness Karmapa conducted a week of prayers to benefit those killed in the Gujurat earthquake in western India. Prayers were also chanted to help protect other parts of the Indian subcontinent from future devastation.
Kalon Tashi Wangdi, Minister of Religion and Cultural Affairs in the Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan Government-in-Exile) announced on February 3, 2001, that the Government of India had given formal refugee status to His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. This news was great cause for celebration on the part of the Karmapa's followers throughout the world.
In February and March of 2001, His Holiness traveled
on pilgrimage to some of the sacred Buddhist sites in India, as described
in "The Seventeenth Karmapa's First Pilgrimage
in India." Additional pictures of His Holiness on pilgrimage are featured
in a pilgrimage gallery.
(Your browser must support javascript to display the gallery.)
On Friday, April 27, 2001, His Holiness held a historic first press conference at Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University. Over 100 representatives from major media outlets throughout the world attended. His Holiness opened by reading a statement which presented, in his own words, the details of his escape from Tibet and his motivation for doing so. Read His Holiness Karmapa's complete statement on this site.
Questions and answers from the press conference have been transcribed and are
made available on this site for the benefit of his followers and all others
with an interest in his first statements to the international media. Read
a transcript of the Q-and-A session on the
site.
In the spring, Bokar Rinpoche gave His Holiness several weeks of teachings on the classic dharma text Dakpo Tarjen (Jewel Ornament of Liberation) by the great Kagyu master Gampopa.
His Holiness Karmapa celebrated his sixteenth birthday (by the Western calendar) on June 28 at Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University. Distinguished guests at the celebration included His Eminence Situ Rinpoche and His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche.
Through the summer and fall, His Holiness received the extensive transmission of the Rinchen Terzod (The Treasury of Precious Revelations, a collection of Guru Rinpoche's termas complied by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye) from His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche. These teachings and empowerments took place at Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University.
For ten days in September, His Holiness Karmapa Ogyen
Trinley Dorje visited Ladakh at the invitation of the Ladahki Buddhist
Association. During his visit, the Karmapa stayed at the residence of
Stakna Rinpoche in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, just as the Sixteenth Karmapa
did in the early 1970's. Read a complete account
of the Seventeenth Karmapa's visit.
In November, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche joined His Holiness Karmapa to offer him teachings on Madyamaka philosophy.
On November 20 in Dharamsala, His Holiness Karmapa participated in events marking the conclusion of the year-long commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of the His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama's enthronement and the fiftieth anniversary of his assumption of state responsibility. On November 22, the Karmapa lead the closing ceremonies honoring the Dalai Lama.
From December 1-11, His Holiness Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje and His Eminence Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche led monks from Rumtek, Ralang, and Sherab Ling monasteries in the Drubchen puja, the ten-day practice of Vajrakilaya. The puja took place at Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University.
His Holiness Karmapa led the Kagyu Monlam from December 23 through December 30 in Bodghaya, India, the sacred place of Shakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment. The Kagyu Monlam is a large gathering centered around the chanting of aspiration prayers, including some that were spoken by the Buddha himself. The week-long practice was offered for world peace and the benefit of all sentient beings. In addition to the Monlam, the Mahakala and Green Tara pujas were practiced daily.
His Holiness bestowed the long-life empowerment of Amitayus on December 29, and on December 28, special prayers were chanted for the deceased. His Holiness taught on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation, and also gave a teaching from Milarepa to the Western and Asian sangha.
Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, His Eminence Gyaltsap Rinpoche, Bokar Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, and many other Rinpoches and khenpos attended the Monlam. The gathering also included three thousand monks from Kagyu monasteries around the world, including Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, Sherabling Monastery, Vajravidya Institute, and Thrangu Tashi Choling (Nepal); and hundreds of Western and Asian disciples.
See the Kagyu Monlam gallery for pictures of the event. (Your browser must support javascript to display the gallery.)
  
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