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Q. According to
Rinpoche, the controversy will eventually be resolved owing to the quality and merits of
the Karmapa. But before that, disciples of the Karmapa are thrown into a state of disarray
and confusion. Therefore, it is hoped that religious elders of the Kagyu Tradition, like
Rinpoche, will enlighten the Kagyu followers. From Rinpoche¡¦s point of view, how do they
ascertain exactly who is the real Karmapa? If they do not know how to do it, they may not
know their real Karmapa for the rest of their life. A. This is an important matter. It is a matter
concerning the lineage of the whole tradition. I would like to use a simple analogy as an
illustration. Assuming that there are two apples on the table, one of them is a real apple
and the other, a fake. Should we be hungry for food, it would be good if we picked the
real apple and threw away the fake. If we had done otherwise, we would go hungry. It is
the same with the case of ascertaining correctly who is the real Karmapa and who is not.
The consequences of a mistake are grave. Who has the ability to identify the real Karmapa
and to teach the disciples how to differentiate? It is my duty and also the duty of the
religious elders and senior Rinpoches within the Kagyu Lineage. I want to take up this
responsibility now. I want to inform all my disciples unambiguously who is the real
Karmapa and who is the Karmapa they must follow in their Dharma practice.
At the moment, two Karmapas have surfaced, one from India and the other from Tibet. In
terms of worldly affairs, I have nothing to do with them. I am in Nepal. But in the course
of my lineage practice, I constantly prayed to the 16th Karmapa for his help to enable me
to know clearly and deeply in my mind who is the real 17th Karmapa. Praying with pure
motivation and with the blessings of the 16th Karmapa, I have concluded with absolute
certainty that Urgyen Trinley Dorje from Tibet is the 17th Karmapa. I have reached this
conclusion from my own practice and the blessings of the Karmapa. We could also determine
who is the real 17th Karmapa from the following:-
First, there was a great Tibetan terton by the name of Chogyur Lingpa.
In the record of his vision of the prophecies revealed to him, there are clear
descriptions of various events in the life of the 1st to the 21st Karmapa.¡@ These
descriptions include place of birth of the Karmapas and the names of their respective
parents. According to this record of prophecies, Urgyen Trinley Dorje of Tsurphu Monastery
is the real Karmapa.
Secondly, when I was
with the 16th Karmapa, he wrote a prediction letter about his reincarnation when he was on
his way to India from Tibet. After he arrived at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, he also wrote
a letter in poetic form predicting his reincarnation. I had read both the letters myself.
The first of the two letters stated clearly that Urgyen Trinley Dorje of Tibet is the 17th
Karmapa. The second letter written in Rumtek, which I had read, again stated clearly that
Urgyen Trinley Dorje of Tibet is the 17th Karmapa.
Thirdly, all the
highly realized monks of the Vajrayana Buddhism, like H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. Sakya
Trizin and many other compassionate religious practitioners, have in their wisdom said
that Urgyen Trinley Dorje of Tibet is the 17th Karmapa.
I feel very fortunate to have obtained so much pure evidence; to have
found the 17th Karmapa; to be able to prostrate to him. I hope all of you will generate
pure motivation and also hope all of you will know that Urgyen Trinley Dorje is the 17th
Karmapa.¡@
Consciously discard
the fake apple. Reach for the real one. You will reap tremendous benefit. |
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