The 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Drodul Thinley Dorje, today publicly expressed his desire, perhaps for the first time, to take over the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, something which the Government of India has until now barred him from.
In his short unscheduled address to a massive crowd of believers here at Bokar Ngedhon Choekhor Ling monastery, the Karmapa said: "I know you want me to come to Sikkim. I also wish to meet you in Sikkim."
The 19-year-old leader of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism went on to inspire his Sikkimese followers, who had turned out in huge numbers, here. "I have, with the courtesy of the Government of India, come so close to Sikkim. This visit should be an inspiration for you. My coming to Sikkim will depend on you, you must keep praying," the Karmapa said.
The statement made towards the end of an otherwise simple speech was totally unexpected. Though gladdening to the hearts of the followers, it is expected to make the Centre uncomfortable.
Ever since the Karmapa fled to India from Tibet, the Indian government has restricted his movements. He has still not been allowed to visit the sect's headquarters, Rumtek monastery, 24 km from the Sikkimese capital.
A huge crowd of devotees (around 15,000, according to the estimates of the organisers) had converged here today from all over the region, and also from abroad. The concourse jam-packed the small compound of the monastery. Curiously, the police's presence was minimal.
An organiser said that the application to permit the Karmapa to preside over the final rites of his teacher, Bokar Rinpoche, in Mirik, had been lying with the ministry of external affairs for a long time. The trip was cleared only in the last moment, giving little time for the organisers to plan properly.
The day began at 5 am with the prayers in the monastery led by the Karmapa. Around 2 p.m. the spiritual leader spoke to the assembled crowd outside the monastery for about 30 minutes with the help of a local translator, following which, sacred threads blessed by him and other items were distributed to the followers.
The Karmapa also had a few words with students of a local Tibetan primary school. He reminded them of the Tibetan situation, asking them to study hard, for they were the future.
The Karmapa is scheduled to give audience to the lay and monastic staff of the monastery here tomorrow. He will leave for Bagdogra airport on his way back to Delhi at noon.