Northeast Desk, 6th September: Arunachal Pradesh Member of Parliament Tapir Gao has called for the return of the 17th Karmapa, Urgyen Trinley Dorjee, to India, citing concerns for the future of Buddhism and Tibetan communities in the country.
Accompanied by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and other state leaders, Gao visited the Gyuto Tantric Monastery in Dharamshala on Thursday. The delegation highlighted the importance of the Karmapa’s presence as the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage and expressed a strong desire for his return.
The 17th Karmapa, who left India in 2017, now holds citizenship in the Dominican Republic. His return has been complicated by visa issues, with reports suggesting that his 2018 application for an Indian visa was rejected.
Gao, in an interview, expressed optimism that these challenges could be resolved, stating, “I am praying for his good health and long life. He should return to India, to Dharamshala, and oversee this institution for the well-being of Buddhism and Tibetans in India.”
This call follows a recent meeting between the Karmapa and the Dalai Lama in Zurich, which reignited discussions about his potential return. The Gyuto Monastery’s administration, led by Lobsang Dorjee, also echoed the sentiment, expressing a collective wish for the Karmapa’s homecoming.
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