Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, July 12
Row over recognition
However, one of the prominent teachers of Kagyu, Shamar Rinpoche, refused to recognise Ogyen Trinley Dorjee as the 17th Karmapa. He instead claimed that Thaye Trinley Dorjee was the real 17th Karmapa.
In May 2012, the Himachal government issued directions against referring Ogyen \Trinley Dorjee as Karmapa in an official communcation. The directions were issued in response to a communication by the Una administration in which it had referred to Ogyen Trinley Dorjee as the 17th Karmapa. Shamar Rinpoche had also raised objections.
Later, a third candidate, Dava Sangpo Dorjee, also claimed for the office and title. At present, he is in Nepal. The situation has split up Kagyu followers all over the world.
However, despite repeated pleas from Shamar Rinpoche, Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration recognised Ogyen Trinley Dorjee as the 17th Karmapa.
Controversy surrounding escape from China
Ogyen Trinley Dorjee escaped Tsurphu monastery in Tibet on December 28,1999. He arrived at Dharamsala on January 5, 2000, after trekking about 1,100 kilometres escaping the Chinese Army. Tai Situ Rinpoche, one of the teachers of Kagyu school, reportedly managed the escape of Ogyen Trinley Dorjee from China. He wanted to take him to Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim that is the traditional seat of Karmapas or the Black Hat Lamas in India. The assets of monastery are pegged at Rs 1,500 crore. However, the Union government did not allow Ogyen Trinley Dorjee to move to Rumtek allegedly under the influence of Shamar Rinpoche.
At Dharamsala, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee was kept in Gyoto Tantric Monastery under the vigil of intelligence and security agencies. He was not allowed to move to other parts of the country and foreign countries for many years.
Many doubted that Ogyen Trinley Dorjee could escape from Tibet with the knowledge of the authorities who were keeping an eye on him.
It was only in the last few years that the Indian government allowed Ogyen Trinley Dorjee to travel to other parts of the country and abroad. He still can’t visit Rumtek Monastery.
The cash controversy
During the raids, the police recovered Rs 6 crore in 26 currencies and Rs 53 lakh in Indian currency from the Gyoto Tantric monastery.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/17th-karmapa-s-brush-with-controversies-continues/105755.html