Karmapa Raided over alleged illegal funds

[hope rainbow]

Yes, I agree. How can they accuse Shugdenpas for so many years without karma coming back to them? Anyway, this is sad. Can Buddhism totally be free from politics?

I think it is like this: buddhisme can be free from politics, but for as long as there will remain sentient beings, politics will have to be dealt with and accounted for. For as long as samsara remains, politics will. And just as enlightened beings make use of our delusions so that we engage in a spiritual journey, they also use politics. After all, Buddhas are not forced to take rebirth, they do it to help us -same with politics.

[triesa]

The subject heading caught my attention and initially I thought to myself,..this can't be right,..not to the darling Karmapa who has gotten so much adoration throughout the world, who is pretty much starting to be the face of Tibetan Buddhism.

Much thanks to the articles posted by Beggar, Admin, Thaimonk and the others...

What struck me is that the TGIE has not gained any grounds to get their country back NOR has fostered any trust with the Indian government though they have been on Indian soil for half a century!

Karmapa is someone TGIE recognized, endorsed, promotes and positioned in such a way that many suspects could be the next leader of the Tibetan people. Indian government's suspicions about karmapa being a chinese spy says ALOT about TGIE...that what TGIE sanction and implement is highly questionable. I do believe the Karmapa is an extraordinary being and the many high lamas to recognize him cannot be wrong.

What is extremely embarrassing for TGIE, a government which singles out and accuses Shugdenpas for being chinese spies now is having one of their own being accused and interrogated for this very fear factor! Is this karma or what?!

The karma of years of accusing Shudenpas and other practitioners as Chinese spies is returning like the wheel of sharp weapon to TGIE.  Now if the Indian government takes this up, it will be concerning the national security level. I think TGIE has lost a lot of creditability and sadly to say, the Indain government could not care less what the TGIE supports or not support.

[thaimonk]

Karmapa is supposedly close to the Dalai Lama and he is 'backed' by the Dalai Lama. It does not look good for the Dalai Lama that someone he backs has a financial scandal.

You can accuse a lama of many things, and it will be seen in different perspectives by different people. But financial accusations are harsh. It will take time for Karmapa to overcome this. His devotees will not much be affected, but the people of India who are swamped with this media frenzy will be affected. And the Karmapa, his group and Tibetans live in India under Indian jurisdiction now and after the Dalai Lama.

If while the Dalai Lama is alive and the Indian authorities investigate ppl like Karmapa, imagine what happens if the Dalai Lama passes. The Tibetans will not have a secure future. To further creates rifts between Tibetans using the Dorje Shugden issue is a MAJOR WRONG MOVE by the Tibetan Govt in exile. You would think the authorities would not touch ppl close to the Dalai Lama since they respect him so much. So much that they let him have a 'exiled govt' and they keep a closed eye to this. What other country would allow refuges to set up govt within their own judicial boundaries? India is generous.

India is generous because of the Dalai Lama, but after the Dalai Lama will be a different story. Indians in India will be weary of Karmapa after this for years to come. The key words are 'unaccounted monies' and 'Chinese spy' attached to Karmapa's name within the majority of Indian psyche. For Karmapa to 'succeed' Dalai Lama is a far and distant dream.

The Tibetan Govt should think twice before they start accusing Shugden devotees as Chinese backed or spies in the future. Hopefully this Karmapa 'scandal' will have taught them a lesson. After all, who put the whole spy imprint in the minds of the Indians in the first place? Of course the Tibetan Govt in exile. They should learn a lesson that they should not accuse simply to fulfill a political goal. Shugden people are not backed up by the Chinese, but practice Shugden because of their deep devotion to their lama's instructions.

One thing positive about the Karmapa is that his current incarnation and previous has not spoken negatively about Dorje Shugden as far as I know. Can anyone confirm this?

[vajralight]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/dalai-lama-urges-probe-into-1m-cash-stash/story-fn3dxity-1225997625850

Dalai Lama urges probe into $1m cash stash

THE Dalai Lama has called for a thorough probe into the discovery of almost a million dollars in foreign currency at the monastery of one of Tibet's most senior religious leaders.

Police in northern India, where the Tibetan community in exile is based, have quizzed the Karmapa and arrested several aides over the cash which is mostly in US dollars but also in Chinese yuan and two dozen other currencies.

The Karmapa heads one of the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism and could emerge as a future spiritual leader of Tibet on the death of the 75-year-old Dalai Lama, who has said he might not be replaced.

"There should be a thorough investigation. He (the Karmapa) is an important Lama," the Dalai Lama in Bangalore, according to Indian media reports.

"Karmapa has many devotees including from China... some money would have naturally been received by him," added the Nobel prize winner.


"There has been some negligence. Better now have a thorough investigation."

The Indian media, quoting unnamed security sources, have reported concerns that the Karmapa could be a Chinese stooge sent to India from Tibet to set up pro-Chinese monasteries.

The office of the Karmapa has dismissed the rumours as baseless and said the money is the result of years of accumulated donations. It has acknowledged negligence in its book-keeping.

Notes totalling $600,000, 1.2 million yuan ($180,000), 500,000 Hong Kong dollars ($64,000), 5.3 million Indian rupees ($115,000) were discovered at the monastery and other offices, police say.

Last night, about two hundred people held a candlelit vigil in support of the the Karmapa at his Gyuto monastery in Dharamshala, where the Tibetan community in exile is based in India.

The Karmapa fled Tibet in 1999 as a 14-year-old because he said he was concerned that Beijing would force him to turn against the Dalai Lama, who has acted as a father figure for him in Dharamshala.

China regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist, and has sought to groom monks who would accept Tibet as an integral part of China and drop all claims for an independent state.

[WisdomBeing]

One thing positive about the Karmapa is that his current incarnation and previous has not spoken negatively about Dorje Shugden as far as I know. Can anyone confirm this?

There was a discussion last year on another thread http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=885.msg10362#msg10362 and beggar shared this story about the 16th Karmapa from Dagom Rinpoche:

I have heard for a fact that back in the 70s or 80s (I think... though i'm a little rusty with dates) the Karmapa went to an opening of a Nyingma monastery in Nepal. There, they had a statue of Dorje Drolod which had been modified and shown to be stepping on Dorje Shugden. Karmapa was very angry when he saw this. He said, “Who made this? Where did this lineage come from? Show me the monk who did this.” He left the monastery very unhappy.

More than that, the Karmapa predicted then to the Nyingmas at the monastery, “You will have no choice in the future but to practice this protector; there will come a time when you need him" referring of course to Dorje Shugden.

This incident has been written and recorded down by Dagom Rinpoche himself.

So this is very interesting and shows clearly the Karmapa not being against Dorje Shugden and not encouraging it when people defame the practice. He also gives us a strong example of inter-lineage and inter-faith respect and being very clearly against any hint of sectarianism. This is how we should all be, after all!!

There's another version of this story where the Karmapa insists that they remove the statue of Dorje Drolo stepping on Shugden. These are only details though - I like the main message of this story very much which is that no one should tolerate putting down Dorje Shugden, whether you are from the same lineage or not.

It is stories like this of high lamas like HH the Karmapa and HH Penor Rinpoche, who gave provisions to Shugden monks, that proves that Dorje Shugden practice does not encourage sectarianism.

[WisdomBeing]

This is the official statement from the Karmapa's Office.

http://www.kagyuoffice.org/

January 29, 2011. 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 His Holiness' life is very surprised by the allegations.

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 HH 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 his Holiness 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 His Holiness. 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 HH the 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.

Issued by Karmapa Office of Administration
29.1.2011
Dharamsala, HP

[WisdomBeing]

The fallacy of Karmapa's Chinese links

Thursday , February 03, 2011 at 16 : 31

The assumption that the Karmapa will create a China-friendly chain of monasteries in the Himalayas by using Himachal Pradesh as a staging point for anti-India campaigns is a fallacy.

The monasteries which dot the Himalayan region from Arunachal to Sikkim, West Bengal, Uttaranchal to Himachal Pradesh & Ladakh belong to different sects of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. There is no homogeneity as each of the four schools have their own spiritual leader and are not dependent on each other. However, all schools by and large owe allegiance to the Dalai Lama, the supreme spiritual and temporal head of Tibet.

To take the analysis a little further: Arunachal, our eastern most border state has a large Buddhist following belonging mostly to the Geluk sect (known widely as the "Yellow Hat Sect"). The Geluk sect is headed by the Ganden Tri Rinpoche who is elected to this position. (The Dalai Lama is a member of the Geluk sect but is not the Head of the Geluk sect).

Arunachalis have time and again protested China's claim to their land as part of China's territory and protested the Chinese claims vociferously, even as the mandarins in South Block have made meek diplomatic noises but have not told the Chinese to lay off in no uncertain terms.

The next important state, Sikkim, has been a part of India since 1975. The Karmapa lineage's relations with the Sikkimese people date back to the time of the 12th Karmapa, Changchub Dorji (1703-1732) when the two Karma Kagyu monasteries of Ralang in South Sikkim and Phodang in North Sikkim were established. The Old Rumtek monastery was established thereafter. The Karmapa has overwhelming support here but the people have been peacefully and patiently waiting for over 10 years for the Karmapa's return to Rumtek. Scores of representations have been made to all manner of constitutional authorities.

Finally, on 26th September, 2010 a spontaneous, peaceful rally was attended by tens of thousands in the capital city of Gangtok. Accompanied by mantra-chanting monks, the rally reverberated with lilting and soulful tune of ritual musical instruments and the robust sound of the kettledrums. Perhaps the sound has still not reached the ears of our fate deciders in New Delhi. Yet, no anti-India slogans have been raised and Sikkim continues to be one of the most peaceful states in India.

In the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, there are monasteries belonging to the Drukpa Kagyu, Nyingma, Sakya, and the Karma Kagyu schools. While Darjeeling may be seeking statehood separate from the State of West Bengal, they are not seeking separation from India.

While other monasteries in Uttarachanchal, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh may profess the Tibetan Vajrayana tradition, they are not exactly hotbeds of anti-India elements. They are a peace-loving, compassionate lot, proud to be part of this vast nation called India.

To those in the security establishment who perceive a larger conspiracy and a China-sponsored hand in the Karmapa's activities, as a proud Indian, who belongs to the border State of Sikkim, I would say: please apply your minds to protecting India in other ways. We are not gullible enough to promote or appreciate your fantasies borne out of paranoia. Indians in the Himalayan region are not treacherous beings and to see them as willing allies in an effort to destabilize India is simply preposterous. The Karmapa is not running the local office of the Chinese security establishment.

The Karmapa lineage is 900 years old this year. The 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinlay Dorji, is a shining beacon and hope for the present age. Let us not trash his character and destroy our own moral fibre. If we do that, we are no better than the people who attempted to destroy the Tibetan nation and her people and committed untold misery.

The sooner our security agencies recognize the fallacy in the assumption that the Karmapa is an agent of our adversary, the better for our country.

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/thinlaytopgay/2914/62196/the-fallacy-of-karmapas-chinese-links.html

[WisdomBeing]

Just to update on this sad issue, the article below states that "The refugee status of Karmapa would be terminating this year in June and it would be difficult for the Centre to give an extension to Karmapa for staying here in Dharamsala owing to his office allegedly being involved in money laundering amidst suspicions that most of the foreign currency had come from China."

If the Karmapa is not permitted to stay in India, especially for the reasons of any suspected impropriety, he will definitely not be part of the TGIE in the foreseeable future.

Does anyone know who would be the likely successor to the Dalai Lama in this case, or even if there will be a successor?

Now Chinese SIM cards recovered
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Now-Chinese-SIM-cards-recovered/articleshow/7435083.cms

Naresh Kumar Sharma, TNN, Feb 6, 2011, 07.18am IST

DHARAMSALA: Investigations being conducted in the Karmapa monastery raid case, after the recovery of a huge haul of foreign currency totalling Rs 9 crore, has indicated towards a strong possibility of the 17th Karmapa, Ogyene Trinley Dorje, having a Beijing connection. After seizure of Chinese Yuan, now the recovery of Chinese SIM cards has strengthened the Chinese link theory.

Police sources said that in the investigation conducted so far, enough evidence has been collected which was indicative of Karmapa's possible links with Beijing.

Karmapa was thrust into limelight recently after foreign currency was seized from Gyuto monastery at Sidhbari, while the benami land deal issue surfaced too.

While the Karmapa and his staff are asserting that foreign currency worth Rs 9 crore recovered from the monastery during raids had come from offerings, the state police has been maintaining that the foreign currency was recovered in neatly packed consignments which makes it difficult to believe that it came through donations.

Besides this, some other important material and evidence including two-three Chinese SIM cards had also been recovered by the state police during investigations which may establish Karmapa's possible links with China.

The refugee status of Karmapa would be terminating this year in June and it would be difficult for the Centre to give an extension to Karmapa for staying here in Dharamsla owing to his office allegedly being involved in money laundering amidst suspicions that most of the foreign currency had come from China.

The state police believes that Karmapa had been maintaining contacts with Beijing as part of the Chinese game-plan to control monasteries in the Himalayan region from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Twang in Aruanchal Pradesh.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dharamsala northern range, P L Thakur told TOI that substantial evidence has been collected in the investigations conducted in the Karmapa monastery case hinting at possible Chinese connections. He, however, said that before coming to any conclusion various leads were being verified.

Read more: Now Chinese SIM cards recovered - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Now-Chinese-SIM-cards-recovered/articleshow/7435083.cms#ixzz1DBtKnivO

[DSFriend]

One thing positive about the Karmapa is that his current incarnation and previous has not spoken negatively about Dorje Shugden as far as I know. Can anyone confirm this?

There was a discussion last year on another thread http://www.dorjeshugden.com/forum/index.php?topic=885.msg10362#msg10362 and beggar shared this story about the 16th Karmapa from Dagom Rinpoche:

I have heard for a fact that back in the 70s or 80s (I think... though i'm a little rusty with dates) the Karmapa went to an opening of a Nyingma monastery in Nepal. There, they had a statue of Dorje Drolod which had been modified and shown to be stepping on Dorje Shugden. Karmapa was very angry when he saw this. He said, “Who made this? Where did this lineage come from? Show me the monk who did this.” He left the monastery very unhappy.

More than that, the Karmapa predicted then to the Nyingmas at the monastery, “You will have no choice in the future but to practice this protector; there will come a time when you need him" referring of course to Dorje Shugden.

This incident has been written and recorded down by Dagom Rinpoche himself.

So this is very interesting and shows clearly the Karmapa not being against Dorje Shugden and not encouraging it when people defame the practice. He also gives us a strong example of inter-lineage and inter-faith respect and being very clearly against any hint of sectarianism. This is how we should all be, after all!!

There's another version of this story where the Karmapa insists that they remove the statue of Dorje Drolo stepping on Shugden. These are only details though - I like the main message of this story very much which is that no one should tolerate putting down Dorje Shugden, whether you are from the same lineage or not.

It is stories like this of high lamas like HH the Karmapa and HH Penor Rinpoche, who gave provisions to Shugden monks, that proves that Dorje Shugden practice does not encourage sectarianism.

Thanks WisdomBeing. I do believe the Karmapa is no ordinary being. Time will tell how Dorje Shugden will play an important role in our lives...

[Big Uncle]

Wow! This is rather big news and I wonder how this will affect the leadership of TGIE. Like what was mentioned, I felt it was ironic that the TGIE's golden boy, the Karmapa is labeled a Chinese spy when they had been labeling us, Shugdenpas as Chinese spies for years! The attention has indeed been turned to the Karmapa now and what he is going to do.

I think this is big because, it is the Indians that are making this accusations and they are indeed sensitive due to a rather long standing border dispute with China. This issue has touched a very sensitive national pride of Indians and if the Indians can't trust the Karmapa, they wouldn't back him up when he comes to power. This has huge repercussions and would indeed take a long time to repair. In many ways, this Karmapa issue will continue to overshadow the Dorje Shugden ban for quite awhile. Perhaps, it is a blessing from the Karmapa so the attention is taken away from the Dorje Shugden ban.

[DSFriend]

‘Go slow’ on Karmapa

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110207/jsp/frontpage/story_13546454.jsp

New Delhi, Feb. 6: The Himachal Pradesh government has been told to “go slow” on the Karmapa case by the highest offices in Delhi, sources said today in an indication that the matter should be treated with utmost care by the state government.

The communication suggested that the Prime Minister’s Office had taken a final view on the matter. The sources said that the central agencies working on several cases of benami property and land deals managed by the Karmapa’s office may now “go slow”.

Reports from Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal indicated that support for Ugyen Trinley Dorje, whom Delhi does not consider the Karmapa, had spilled on to the streets. “It seems the government has backed off because of pressure,” said a source.

Although the government has not officially ruled out arresting the Karmapa after Chinese yuans amounting to several crores were found in his Dharamshala monastery, fissures in the Congress surfaced on how to deal with the Karmapa and his aides.

In November 2010, Congress leader Virbhadra Singh and three other MPs — among them former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Mukut Mithi — wrote to Union home minister P. Chidambaram seeking removal of travel restrictions on Tai Situ Rinpoche, the third-highest in the Kagyu order and the principal supporter of Dorje.

“A formal order must be passed by the ministry of home affairs cancelling all earlier circulars by which restrictions were imposed on the free movement of the Rinpoche, both within and outside the country,” the letter said.

Besides Virbhadra and Mithi, Arunachal Congress MP Takam Sanjay and Sikkim Democratic Front MP .T. Lepcha also supported the move.

Delhi is highly suspicious of Tai Situ, who was in China from 1982-90 and is believed to be extremely close to the leadership there. Intelligence sources revealed that when he returned to India in 1991, he did not obtain the No Objection on Return to India permit from the government mandatory for refugees.

Tai Situ is understood to have conducted the ceremony in Tibet that put Dorje on the throne as the Karmapa.

[WoselTenzin]

The raid on Karmapa Lama's monastery is indeed very shocking news.  For whatever the reason the raid was conducted whether it was because the Indian government was trying to show the world that it was doing something about corruption in their country or otherwise, the raid has definitely shook the Tibetan world.  The TGIE who has always been accusing Shugden followers as Chinese spy now has someone they ardently support, the Karmapa as a Chinese spy. Definitely a big slap on their face.

It would not be unusual for the Karmapa who is a renown High Lama to have large amount of cash from offerings and donations from all over the world and therefore, an easy target for the Indian goverment.  If it is really the case that the Indian government was trying to protect it's reputation at the expense of the Karmapa, it definitely shows a lack of respect for a highly attained spiritual leader such as the Karmapa.  If only they know of the severe karmic consequences. Scary....

[WisdomBeing]

Thanks for the news DSFriend. Glad to hear the heat is lessening... also it appears that some of the allegations are false! See the article below. I'm surprised that The Times of India, which is a reputable paper, i would have thought, had published the story about the Chinese Sim cards previously.

Anyway, the sad thing about this is that mud sticks - so if the Karmapa is completely innocent of all charges, his standing is already tarnished and the TGIE still looks... well... a tad red faced...



No Chinese SIMs Found- Italian MP Visits Gyalwa Karmapa

Tuesday, 08 February 2011 14:00    Carly Selby-James, The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: The Karmapa Office of Administration has released a statement on Monday (7 February) expressing its immense gratitude to those who have shown their unwavering support for His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Rinpoche both within India and from around the world. The statement comes after Matteo Mecacci, a member of the Italian Parliament, paid a personal visit to the Karmapa yesterday at his residence in Dharamshala to show his support.
The Italian MP, who serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, came with the goals of showing his solidarity with the Karmapa amid the current controversy and requesting spiritual solidarity in return, while at the same time expressing unaltered faith in the Indian judicial system.

The Office's statement also condemned what it labelled 'libelous press reports' over the weekend which claimed that Chinese SIM cards had been found on the premises, firmly denying the reports which it says constitute 'libel and outright defamation of character'. The Karmapa's Office claims that no SIM cards were seized from the Karmapa's residence and that Inspector Ramesh Rama of the Kangra police, who was involved in conducting the raids, has backed up this claim.

In refuting the allegations, the Office says it condemns the publishing of 'fictitious' reports by media outlets, naming Times of India as a culprit, and says that journalists should confirm their facts before reporting them and damaging the reputation of such an important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The Office made it clear that "the fact that such fictitious reports are published without contacting the accused party's spokespersons for comments indicates that these members of the press are are not objective reporters", calling on the press to "rise to the standards of responsible journalism".

The statement concludes that the Karmapa Office of Administration has "issued letters to the editors of the relevant publications seeking an immediate retraction and apology", adding that the Office welcomes any contact from members of the press wishing to check their facts or seek comment.

Last Updated (Tuesday, 08 February 2011 14:15)  

[iloveds]

Is it really the case that Karmapa knows any of this going on? He's way to busy being a spiritual man for us to conjure up images of a holy man sitting on hordes of money! How sensationalist of the Indian Media Machine.

@Wisdom Being....     
Thats sooo funny, "no CHINESE sim cards were found on the premise" can picture the masses of Indian public going dammit nothing to get worked up about here... its on the decline this breaking news.

Really there isn't much to it is there??? Why wouldn't such a large "residence" have large amounts of cash, don't you think even the Dalai Lama's residence would have just as much? I'm guessing signs will be going up in all tibetan monasteries around the world "please all currencies except the Yuan welcome". Which i guess is possible no? Don't wanna get labelled a spy when they come to check.

What I wonder the most is are the Indian public really so generous having another country in exile occupying their land, while their country men suffer. I mean thats what would happen in the west. And all this political environment of "buddhism" makes for yummy breakfast show discussion.

cheers will see what unfolds next............

[DharmaDefender]

Really there isn't much to it is there??? Why wouldn't such a large "residence" have large amounts of cash, don't you think even the Dalai Lama's residence would have just as much? I'm guessing signs will be going up in all tibetan monasteries around the world "please all currencies except the Yuan welcome". Which i guess is possible no? Don't wanna get labelled a spy when they come to check.

What I wonder the most is are the Indian public really so generous having another country in exile occupying their land, while their country men suffer. I mean thats what would happen in the west. And all this political environment of "buddhism" makes for yummy breakfast show discussion.

cheers will see what unfolds next............

I just think the whole thing's getting a bit ridiculous. In the grand scheme of things, it's not THAT much money..certainly more than I will ever see but all it takes is ONE very wealthy Chinese businessman to make a nice donation, and state that he wishes to remain anonymous. There are plenty of Chinese entreprenuers like that, and the Karmapa's of high enough stature to attract that kind of sponsor.

Maybe the Indian government's just sick of the TGIE messing up their diplomatic efforts with the Chinese. I mean, when the Indians work with Chinese, the TGIE cause a ruckus. When the Indians are anti-Chinese, the TGIE cause a ruckus to drive the wedge even deeper. But why should the Indians and the future of India be held hostage by a stateless people? It's sad yes, but I think India's got enough of their own problems without the TGIE.