I’ve been thinking about making a slow comeback to daily blogging and then this popped into my inbox. So I thought, what better reason to for me to start than a call to arms (well, a metaphorical call to arms) on behalf of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa.
By the way, I don’t know who Freda Rose is. Nor have I ever met the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. Nor am I a Tibetan Buddhist. Still, this guy seems like the real thing as does the Dalai Lama so I’m happy to add my blog and my voice to the call.
LET HIM TRAVEL FREELY
17th Gyalwang Karmapa — Ugyen Trinlay Drodul Dorje — Head of the Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
In the year 2000, this young man, now 21 years old, made a remarkable, life-threatening journey from Tibet to India. Why? For our benefit. Yes, for us. For all of us, who find no real meaning in this life. He came to support us by bringing us out of our own personal misery, showing us ways to stop us from committing continuous negativities, which lead to more suffering for ourselves and others.
He personifies a young Dalai Lama – a spiritual teacher, we have all heard of, who, as Gyalwang Karmapa does, shows us unceasing love and compassion and eloquently conveys methods, on how to live together in peace and harmony. We have all undoubtedly benefited from His words of wisdom – a true shinning light. So why is it that we allow Gyalwang Karmapa, someone, of such rarity, someone who is of such importance, so vital in this time of greed, materialism and war, to be kept under tight restriction for what is now six years too long.
The Indian Government has kindly given Him a temporary place to stay; for this we are grateful. However, He is severely restricted in travelling in India and completely denied permission to go to Dharma Centers abroad, to teach Buddhism; His great desire. He is kept in a monastery in Dharamsala, North India that is not of His own lineage and therefore He does not have priority in using the facilities. He does not have His own residence. How can we leave our Spiritual guide in such conditions? whilst we, without a second thought, demand homely comforts, to fulfil our needs.
Please don’t let this Precious Human Being be forgotten. As inhabitants of this world we have the responsibility to protect those who give their lives for us, those who think only of our well-being. If they can spare their lives for us, why can we not spare a thought, an action, for them? Let us put their valuable teachings actually into practice and start living through their own example. It is not for the Head of our lineage to ask us for help, we have to use our initiative and not idly watch-by hoping the obstacles will clear. We wish for His Holiness to visit the Dharma Centers, so it is up-to each one of us to actively open up this possibility.
Post this on your Dharma Center’s noticeboard; contact the television, newspapers, magazines; write to your own Government and to the Indian Government/Authorities and petition Organisations; get together with all those you know. We have the opportunity to use the powerful force of international media to openly communicate this message of utmost urgency.
Now is the time to take compassionate and strong action together. If we don’t, who will?
Thank you, Freda Rose