Karmapa Spy Issue

Posted on January 30, 2011 in News & The Ban · 1,103 Views · 4 Comments

Karma Returns to the Tibetan Government

Incredible news report videos on the event with so many accusations.

It’s completely ironic. The Tibetan govt in exile always accuses anyone they don’t like of being a Chinese supporter or spy. What is there really to spy on?? As if whatever the Tibetan Govt can do that would usurp Tibet away from China. In the wildest dreams that couldn’t and wouldn’t happen. By accusing people within their own communities of spy work, they effectively get the thousands of uneducated, backwards, isolated Tibetan farmers, sweater sellers, tea sellers, statue sellers to alienate the accused group such as Shugdenpas. The Tibetan Govt is very far from even being near democratic. They are very similar to Myanmar’s regime. AT LEAST MYANMAR HAS A COUNTRY. Tibetans did their job so badly, they LOST their country and cannot gain it back ever.

Now their own accusations have turned against them in the form of Karmapa being accused of being a Chinese spy receiving money from the Chinese govt. Tibetan Govt should learn a lesson from this-TO STOP USING THE SPY CARD. To stop using the words ‘spy’ or ‘Chinese backed’ in all their statements. If they can attack the Karmapa, who is next? After all you would think India would be more ‘considerate’ to Karmapa since he is close to Dalai Lama. India respects Dalai Lama, so they can ‘attack’ someone close to him, then what happens after Dalai Lama passes. The Tibetans and their shenanigans are in big trouble. Time for all Tibetans to buy that US Visa in Delhi and get out of India full speed. A note of advice for the Tibetan farmers immigrating, in the US, keep quiet about the Shugden ban, because there’s real RELIGIOUS FREEDOM THERE and your silly protests about Shugden would be ignored by Paris Hilton’s latest designer bag for sale. Even Hilton’s latest bags on sale would have more media coverage and importance than your archaic and repressive bans to save the world from an ‘evil’ practice.

Maybe Tibetan Govt can learn a lesson or two from the US on religious freedom instead of always just panhandling money from it’s americans to fund it’s bans and dead end schemes in India.

extracted from Thaimonk’s post on www.dorjeshugden.com/forum

Reference: 1 crore = 10 million rupees = USD 218,000

31 January 2011

30 January 2011

Indian News
Article – 1

source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Raid-at-Karmapa-monastery-over-benami-land-deal/articleshow/7376096.cms

Raid at Karmapa monastery over benami land deal

DHARAMSALA: In a surprise development, police conducted a raid on the premises of the Gyatso monastery of the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, at Sidhbari about 8 km from here, on Thursday in connection with a benami land case. The police swung into action after an employee working in Gyatso monastery (Karmapa) was arrested on Thursday when his name allegedly appeared in a deal pertaining to the purchase of benami land at Dharamsala.

The employee, Rubgi Chosang, was arrested by the Una police after he was summoned there (Una) following the arrest of two other people on Wednesday at Mehatpur barrier. The duo, Sanjay Dutt and Ashutosh, were caught carrying Rs 1 crore cash in a car and have been remanded to police custody. The police said they were carrying the money from New Delhi and were to hand it over to Chosang. They said Chosang was keen on setting up a monastery and wanted to purchase land from hotelier KP Bharadwaj, running his establishment in Dharamsala. Acting on the revelations of the two, police arrested Chosang and carried out the raid. They seized a considerable amount of foreign currency during the raid which started in the morning and continued till evening. Confirming the raid, Dharamsala northern range IG PL Thakur said investigations were on. The 17th Karmapa had escaped from China under dramatic circumstances 11 years ago and arrived in Dharamsala, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile, early on the morning of January 5, 2000.

Article – 2

source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tibetan-leader-karmapa-linked-to-china/141801-3.html

Tibetan leader Karmapa linked to China

New Delhi: One of the most revered places for Tibetans and Buddhists across the world now caught in a criss-crossing web of Hawala, Benami land deal and worse still of furthering Chinese interest on Indian soil. The 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee stands accused of being a Chinese plant.

Central government sources say that foreign currency worth crores was recovered from this religious abode.

The Gyuto Tantric Monastic University, home of the Karmapa, could have come from Beijing. Investigating agencies suspect that the Karmapa may have been used to further their designs of controlling all Indian monasteries from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

The raids on Karmapa began after police seized Rs 1.25 crore from a car in Una.

Two monks and the driver were arrested with huge slush of money in the car. It is believed that the money was meant for a big land deal in the state. Police raids on Karmapa’s accountant Shakti Lama began on Thursday and continued on Friday as well.

Reports say, police recovered US dollars, Euros, Chinese yuan and Indian rupees, all amounting to around Rs 440 million.

Daljeet Singh Thakur, Superintendent of Police, Kangra District said, “I cannot say how much is the foreign currency, as the denominations are different, but we have recovered some foreign currency. Indian currency is about Rs five lakh (half a million rupees).”

The Enforcement Directorate, the Himachal Police and other agencies are now investigating the source of the money recovered.

Sources say it’s likely that the Karmapa himself would be questioned in this regard. But with the government indicating Chinese links, looks like the Karmapa will have to answer much more than just questions about alleged Benami land deals.

Article – 3

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/govt-seeks-report-from-himachal-govt-on-karmapa/141840-3.html

Govt seeks report from Himachal govt on Karmapa

New Delhi: Union Finance Ministry has sought a report from the Himachal Pradesh government on 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, popularly known as Karmapa Lama, who stands accused of being a Chinese plant after police recovered Rs 1.6 crore during a raid at his office in Dharamsala on Thursday.

Karmapa Lama and other Tibetan leaders have reportedly bought huge tracts of land in various states with Sources telling CNN-IBN that Karmapa was using the money to buy land for the setting up of monasteries and schools.

Some properties in Kolkata are also under scanner and Karmapa reportedly also owns lands in Sainik Farms in New Delhi and Pune as well.

Karmapa has also been embroiled with the local authorities over demolition notices for some of these properties.

The raid was carried by Himachal Police on Thursday and one person was arrested from Karmapa’s office. But Tibetan Parliament-in-exile Speaker Penpa Tsering claimed that Karmapa was clean and he had nothing to do with financial dealings.

“We want to tell the world that Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje as a person is a very clean person. He has nothing to do with anything of this sort. But whatever has happened is very unfortunate,” said Penpa Tsering in Dharamsala.

Investigating agencies suspect that the Karmapa may have been used to further China’s designs of controlling all Indian monasteries from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

Article – 4

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cash-controversy-Karmapa-questioned-misses-prayer-meeting/H1-Article1-656003.aspx

Cash controversy: Karmapa questioned, misses prayer meeting

Tibetan religious leader Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje has been questioned by the Himachal Pradesh police and other central government agencies with his office in the middle of a controversy following the recovery of foreign and Indian currency worth nearly Rs 70 million (Rs.7 crore) in the last two days.

The Karmapa, police sources said, was questioned late Friday night at his monastery at Sidhbari. His statement is likely to be recorded by the police on Saturday.
With the developments of the last two days bringing his office into a major cash controversy, the Karmapa, who is the 17th reincarnation of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Budhhism and the third highest ranked monk after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, missed the Saturday morning prayers and public audience.

With the Gyuto Tantric monastery, where he has been residing in the last few years with his followers, swarming with police officials, the Karmapa has been confined to his rooms on the top floor even though the authorities are not officially saying that he is under house arrest.

Police and other security agencies had recovered foreign and Indian currency, amounting to nearly Rs 70 million from the monastery.
“The foreign currency is from 25 different countries and includes large amounts of US dollars, Chinese Yuan, Hong Kong dollars, Taiwanese and other currencies,” Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police DS The Karmapa’s office, in a statement said, they were “complying fully with the investigation”.

“We will certainly answer all questions that the press and the public have, but for now we respectfully request you to allow us to concentrate on complying fully with the investigation that is underway,” it added.

Article – 5

source: http://news.oneindia.in/2011/01/29/himachal-police-questioning-karmapa-and-close-aide-aid0113.html

Indian govt looking into Karmapa’s karma

Dharamsala, Jan 29: Yet another instance that money and religion is a lethal combination. The arrest of the Tibetan spiritual leader Karmapa Lama caught in the middle of a foreign money controversy has stolen the limelight. He is presently being questioned by Himachal Pradesh police on the large stash of cash amounting to Rs 7 crores found in the Gyuto monastery. Another close aide of Karmapa, Rabjaychojan alias Shakti Lama, was also arrested in the raid.

The foreign currency seized in the raid is Chinese Yuan linking Karmapa’s apparent clandestine relationship with China. The sinister connection between Karmapa and China is still under investigation, though the information coming out of police sources seem to be closely-guarded.

This comes in spite of the monastery in Dharamsala proclaiming that they would fully cooperate with the investigations. Karma Chungliapa, Deputy General Secretary of Karmapa Monastery said, “We are consulting out legal experts and later in the day we will issue a proper statement. We know that the press and people are asking many questions. We will respond all of them, but as of now, our priority is to cooperate fully with the investigating agency.”

After news spread in the Indian media space that the Lama being a possible Chinese agent had sent government officials in a tizzy. Dharamsala was considered the headquarters of the self-declared Tibetan government-in-exile.

Police raided the Gyuto monastery after a tip-off on Thursday and arrested a monk on suspicion of trying to illegally buy land in the region. The raid followed the arrest of two Indians a day earlier who were found carrying Rupees 10 million in cash, said Santosh Patial, Superintendent of police.

On questioning, the two said they had received the money from the monk, an Indian national, to buy a plot of land in Himachal Pradesh where Dharmsala is located. Patial said the Indians, who come from other Indian states, need special government permission to buy land in Himachal Pradesh state.

Tibetan parliamentarians however claim that it was ignorance of forex laws that led to this debacle and are wholeheartedly supporting the Lama.

OneIndia News
(With inputs from agencies)

Article – 6

source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/currency-seizure-cops-grill-karmapa-search-trust-offices/743562/

Currency seizure: Cops grill Karmapa, search trust offices

Police today continued searches at the offices of a trust backed by 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje, who was questioned over the seizure of foreign currency valued at Rs 7 crore.

Himachal DGP D S Minhas along with senior police officers inspected the Gyato monastery and the ashram at Sidhbari near here last evening and talked with the Karmapa.

Karmapa was asked about the foreign currency seized and as expected he said it was received through offerings, Minhas said.
He said the Karmapa was not under arrest or house arrest.

Searches continued at the offices of the Karma Garchen Trust today and so far Rs 7 crore in currencies of over two dozen countries, including China, Taiwan, japan, South Korea, the UK, the US, Australia, German, has been seized.

Asked about the seizure, Karma Chunyappa, Deputy General Secretary of the Karmapa, asserted that the financial dealings of the monastery were transparent.

“We have a rich history of public service made possible through financial dealings that are entirely transparent. We will certainly answer all the qu stions that the press and public have but for now we request you to allow us to concentrate and comply fully with the investigations that are underway,” he said.

The DGP said that some documents about land transactions had also been recovered and these were being scrutinised to find out whether there was a nexus between Tibetans and some local people indulging in benami land deals.

All non-agriculturists including bona-fide Himachalis were barred from purchasing any land in Himachal without the permission of the government under section 118 of HP tenancy and Land Reforms Act and Tibetans having refugee status were not entitled to buy any land.

Article – 7

source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/132950/karmapa-questioned-searches-continue-offices.html

Karmapa Questioned, Searches Continue at Offices of Trust

Dharamshala, Jan 29 (PTI): Police today continued searches at the offices of a trust backed by 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje, who was questioned over the seizure of foreign currency valued at Rs 7 crore.

Himachal DGP D S Minhas along with senior police officers inspected the Gyato monastery and the ashram at Sidhbari near here last evening and talked with the Karmapa.

Karmapa was asked about the foreign currency seized and as expected he said it was received through offerings, Minhas told PTI today.

He said the Karmapa was not under arrest or house arrest. Searches continued at the offices of the Karma Garchen Trust today and so far Rs seven crore in currencies of over two dozen countries, including China, Taiwan, japan, South Korea, the UK, the US, Australia, German, has been seized.

Asked about the seizure, Karma Chunyappa, Deputy General Secretary of the Karmapa, asserted that the financial dealings of the monastery were transparent. “We have a rich history of public service made possible through financial dealings that are entirely transparent. We will certainly answer all the questions that the press and public have but for now we request you to allow us to concentrate and comply fully with the investigations that are underway,” he said.

All non-agriculturists including bonafide Himachalis were barred from purchasing any land in Himachal without the permission of the government under section 118 of HP tenancy and Land Reforms Act and Tibetans having refugee status were not entitled to buy any land.

However, some Tibetans have acquired properties in Himachal and the High Court had issued notices to Tibetans in this regard. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said the Himachal Government would share every information about the Karmapa with the Enforcement Directorate and security agencies.

“Certainly, the government of India must be having more information about Karmapa’s activities and the state government would abide by the direction of the Union Government as the matter is linked to internal security,” he told reporters after launching a heli-taxi at Annandale helipad in Shimla.

Asked about the seizure of huge amounts of foreign currency, the Chief Minister said it was for the Union Government to take appropriate steps to trace the source and route through which the money was reaching the monastery and the ashram.
Dhumal said the Home Minister has convened a meeting of all the Chief Ministers on February 1 to discuss issues related to internal security and the Karmapa issue would also crop up in the meeting.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would also be present in the meeting. The police had raided the monastery after information that black money was being used for transaction of benami land deals, sources said.

The money was reportedly drawn from the Majnoo Ka Tila branch of a private sector bank in Delhi and the police was interrogating the duo.

Article -8

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Police-raid-top-Tibet-monk-s-home/H1-Article1-655522.aspx

Police raid top Tibet monk’s home

Police have raided the monastery of a senior Tibetan monk seen as a possible successor to the Dalai Lama and have seized several suitcases full of cash, reports said on Friday. A man said to be an aide of the Karmapa, one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most revered figures who fled to India in 1999, was

arrested during the search on Thursday at the monastery in the northern hillstation of Dharamshala.

The Express newspaper said the cash — Indian and foreign — was stuffed inside four large suitcases that were taken away by police, while PTI newsagency said there were six bags.

The reports put the amount of cash seized at between 400,000 rupees ($9,000) and 35 million rupees ($765,000). The raid was in connection with the arrest of two other people carrying large quantities of cash in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, the reports said.
AFP was unable to immediately confirm the details. The Karmapa’s office did not respond to enquiries. Dharamshala is a hillstation in Himachal Pradesh where the Tibetan community in exile, including the Dalai Lama, has been based since 1960.

The 27-year-old Karmapa is officially recognised by China and in Tibet as one of the most senior spiritual leaders and is widely seen as a figure who could lead the Tibetan movement once the ageing Dalai Lama dies.

Article -9

source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/132737/karmapa-cash-haul-chinese-link.html

Karmapa cash haul: Chinese link found

Police claimed to have seized foreign currency valued at over Rs six crore during raids in the offices of a trust backed by 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje, who investigators believe could be having links with Chinese authorities.

Himachal Pradesh ADGP (Law and Order) S R Mardi said huge sums of money in currencies of 25 countries including China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the UK, the US, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam and Germany were seized during the raids.

The recovered amount includes 11 lakh in Chinese Yuan, 6 lakh USD and Rs 30 lakh. Officials said law will take its own course in the case.

DGP D S Minhas said lots of land deal documents were also found and probe is on whether these are part of some benami deals. Some travellers cheques were also found.

The Karmapa, who had fled to India on January 5, 2000 from China as a 14-year-old boy, may be questioned if needed, Minhas said. He has been living in Dharamsala ever since.

Although Dorje is widely called the Karmapa, officials said that he is one of the four contenders to the seat of Karmapa. The Dalai Lama had also recognised him as ‘Karmapa’, a Buddhist seat that carries forward Tibetan activities.

Investigators probing the huge cash haul from the transit home of the Karmapa suspect that he is in regular touch with Chinese authorities, apparently to help Beijing control Buddhist monasteries from Ladakh to Tawang.

Evidence emerging during investigation indicated that the currencies of China, Japan, the US, the UK, Australia, Thailand and several other countries recovered from Gyuto Monastery in Dharamlsala have come from Chinese sources.

Sources said investigators have found that such funds regularly keep coming to the Tibetan religious leader and he could be part of a Chinese design to help Beijing control all Buddhist monasteries located in the Himalayan region beginning from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

However, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile Pempa Tsering ruled out any Chinese link with the Karmapa. He said “lack of knowledge of law and rules could be behind the keeping of money in huge amount which came through donations”.

Sources said Karmapa’s personal secretary Tsering, who is also the secretary of the monastery was called back here from Dehradun. His office and residence have already been sealed by police.

Rabgyal Soshing alias Shakti Lama, a key functionary of the Karma Garchen Trust with main office in Gyato monastery at Sidhbari, 6 km from here, was arrested yesterday by the police and raids were conducted following information furnished by him.|

The raids were conducted following recovery of Rs 1 crore from a vehicle at the Mehatpur barrier by the Una police on Thursday evening and arrest of two persons who provided clues about the source of the money.

Una police conducted the raids at the offices of the Trust at Sidhbari, Majnoo Ka Tila (Delhi), Ambala and some other places with the help of Kangra Police that led to seizure of foreign currencies worth crores of rupees.

Police was trying to verify the sources from where the Tibetan trust received the money as its authorities maintained that it was received through offerings and donations from devotees.

Una police had registered a case under IPC sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120 against Sanjog Dutt and Ashutosh who were travelling in the vehicle in which cash worth Rs 1 crore was being carried from Majnoo Ka Tila to Sidhbari.

Sources said the money was to be paid to Dharamsala bases business with whom the Trust had struck a deal for purchasing the land but the vehicle was intercepted and the money could not be paid to the businessman.

The Himachal Police have also informed the Enforcement and Income Tax departments to ascertain whether there was any breach of law.

The police was interrogating Shakti lama and other two arrested persons to find the source from where the money came and also how it was to be spent.

Article -10

source: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tibetan-karmapa-grilled-for-chinese-links-82182

Tibetan Karmapa grilled for alleged Chinese links

Dharamshala: Indian security agencies have completed a round of questioning in Dharamshala of Tibetan leader Karmapa for his alleged Chinese links.

A team of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) has also been sent from Delhi for a possible second round.

The police in Dharmshala have arrested Karmapa’s second accountant as well.

The police have taken him to another monastery where raids are taking place right now.
Authorities are probing a suspected plan of the Tibetan leader to buy land and establish China-friendly institutions across the Himalayan region.

Karmapa’s accountant was held with Rs. 8.5 crore in cash meant to buy a 5-acre plot in in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

India believes that the Karmapa was planning to use this money to set up a new monastery that would be China-friendly, and would work on influencing others in the area to follow a similar bent.

NDTV spoke to the Deputy General secretary of Karmapa in Dharmshala, who said they have nothing to hide and are cooperating with investigative agencies.

Officials say this was the Karmapa’s third attempt to buy land in Kangra. Earlier attempts in 2007 and 2008 were stalled after the RBI and Enforcement Directorate got involved in studying the source of funds.

Foreign News
Associated Press

source: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/01/29/indian-police-question-tibetan-spiritual-leader/

Indian police question Tibetan spiritual leader

DHARMSALA, India (AP) — Indian authorities are investigating the source of large amounts of money found in a northern Indian monastery that is the headquarters of Tibetan Buddhism’s third most important leader, police said Saturday.

Police and revenue officials are tracking about $777,000 found in the Gyuto monastery, the home of Ugyen Thinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, said D.S. Minhas, director general of police in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

The money was in nearly two dozen foreign currencies, including a large amount of Chinese yuan, Minhas told The Associated Press.

“The amount of money we found was so large that we will certainly look into every angle of what could be the source, and what was the purpose,” Minhas said.

Indian media have been carrying reports that the Karmapa could be a Chinese agent sent to India to become a leader of Tibetan Buddhists who have made their home in the northern Indian town of Dharmsala.

The Karmapa has been living in Dharmsala since his arrival from Tibet in 2000.

Minhas said police questioned the Karmapa on Friday and would talk to him again about the source of the funds.

It was not immediately known what the Karmapa said to police.

A spokesman, Karma Chungyalpa, said the Karmapa’s lawyers were preparing a statement.

Dharmsala has been the headquarters of the self-declared Tibetan government-in-exile since the Dalai Lama, the 75-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, fled the Himalayan region in 1959.

China’s government reviles the Dalai Lama, accusing him of pushing for independence for Tibet and sowing trouble there. A boy named by the Dalai Lama as the second-highest Tibetan spiritual leader in 1995 disappeared shortly afterward and China selected another boy.

Police raided the Gyuto monastery on Thursday and arrested a monk on suspicion of trying to illegally buy land in the region.

The raid followed the arrest of two Indians a day earlier who were found carrying 10 million rupees ($22,200) in cash, said Santosh Patial, a superintendent of police.

On questioning, the two said they had received the money from the monk, an Indian national, to buy a plot of land in Himachal Pradesh where Dharmsala is located.

Patial said the Indians, who come from other Indian states, need special government permission to buy land in Himachal Pradesh state.

AFP – Agence France-Presse

source : http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ieiw094Xh9SXZ9Up97WVENUnrgwg?docId=CNG.d181f701d74575a4927d78a53b5b7ce3.2d1

Indian police raid monastery of top Tibetan monk

DHARAMSHALA, India — Indian police said Friday they had raided the monastery of a top Buddhist monk seen as the possible next spiritual leader for Tibet and had seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.

Police swooped on the Karmapa’s monastery in Dharamshala, a hill station in northern India, on Thursday and returned Friday to question staff about the origins of local and foreign bank notes discovered on the premises.

An aide has been arrested and $600,000 in dollar bills has been discovered as well as currencies from another 25 countries, senior policeman P.L. Thakur told AFP in Dharamshala.

The police acted after two men were stopped earlier in the week in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh carrying 10 million rupees ($219,000) that they said belonged to one of the trustees of the monastery.

The trustee, named as Rabgay Chosang, is thought to have been involved in a land deal, police said, adding that he had been arrested and remained in police custody.

“The Karmapa has no role in it. The investigations will lead us to a further course of action,” Thakur told AFP without elaborating.

At his Gyotu monastery in the foothills of the towering Himalayas, the 27-year-old Karmapa receives visitors on a regular basis, many of whom leave offerings or donations in cash.

The Tibetan is one of the most revered religious figures in his homeland and is seen as one of a handful of candidates who could step forward to lead the community once the charismatic Dalai Lama dies.

He has lived in exile in India since fleeing his homeland in 1999 — an eight-day journey by foot and horseback across the mountains — but he remains recognised by China, Tibetans in Tibet and the community in exile in India.

He could never become a Dalai Lama, which is a title given to a child chosen as the reincarnation of the previous version, but he could emerge as the next leader.

The 75-year-old current Dalai Lama has said the institution might be abolished after his death and any choice over his successor is likely to take time and be bitterly contested by Tibetans and the Chinese authorities.

A source in the monastery, who asked not to be named, said that 15-20 police were present on Friday and that they had seized “a few things”. The Karmapa was in his residence, though the source did not say if he had been questioned.

“We don’t want to comment at this stage because it is still ongoing,” he told AFP by telephone. “They (the police) are still here.”

Dharamshala has been home to the Tibetan community in exile, including the Dalai Lama, since 1960, when India granted the community land and facilities.

The Karmapa fled Tibet because he was concerned that Beijing would force him to turn against the Dalai Lama, who has acted as a father-like figure for him in Dharamshala.

China regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist and has sought to groom monks who would accept Tibet as being an integral part of China and drop all claims for an independent state.

30 January 2011

Article – 1

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4864437

Karmapa quizzed again, says India’s interests not harmed

Dharamsala: Tibetan religious leader, the Karmapa, was asked 50 questions by police Sunday about the nearly Rs.70 million worth of unaccounted foreign and Indian currency recovered from his monastery. Denying all allegations, he said the money was given by his devotees and he had not done anything to harm India’s interests.

The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, talks during an interview with AFP at his residence in Dharamshala.

A Himachal Pradesh police team, led by Una’s Additional Superintendent of Police K.G. Kapoor, reached the Gyuto Tantric University and Monastery near here to question the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who was quizzed Friday as well.

“Fifty questions were asked to the Karmapa and he denied all allegations. He said the money recovered was money given by devotees,” Kapoor said. “But we are not happy with his replies and he is likely to be questioned again,” he added.

In a related development, Dharamsala businessman and hotelier K.P. Bhardwaj and D.K. Dhar, manager of the Corporation Bank in Ambala in Haryana, were Sunday brought for interrogation to Una, 100 km from the Karmapa’s monastery.

Soon after the Karmapa was questioned, a spokesperson for the Tibetan religious leader denied allegations against him, stressing he was not a Chinese agent.

“The Karmapa has not done anything wrong to undermine and harm the interests of India,” Karma Topden, the spokesperson, told reporters.

“The Karmapa has got offerings from all over the world. The cash was donated money. There is no ‘hawala’ link to money,” he said.

Policemen carry a seized trunk, which contains a huge amount of foreign currency, from the Gyatso Monastery at Sidhbari, Dharamsala, on Friday

He also cited reasons for the Karmapa’s escape from Tibet that included the Chinese putting pressure on him to go against Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and completing his spiritual studies.

A string of central government agencies got into the picture Saturday to get to the bottom of the recovery of unaccounted currency. The most baffling part of the total seizure from the monastery was the 1.1 million (Rs.7 million) in Chinese currency and over 600,000 US dollars.

The presence of Chinese Yuan brought controversy about the Karmapa’s alleged links to China to the fore again. He had arrived mysteriously from his monastery near Lhasa in the Tibet region in January 2000.

However, the Karmapa late Saturday clarified there was no China link to his activities and the foreign currency seized was from disciples across the world.

Dharamsala businessman Bhardwaj, who is believed to have struck a land deal with the Karmapa’s trust, and a bank manager from Haryana were arrested and are being questioned.

“Bhardwaj was arrested last (Saturday) evening as an unaccounted Rs.1 crore was seized from two of his men on Jan 25 at Mehatpur in Una district,” Thakur said.

On his China links, Topden clarified: “His very escape from Tibet and arrival in India clearly shows Tibetan people are being suppressed by the Chinese,” he said.

Bhardwaj had claimed that the Rs.1 crore recovered from the men was a payment made by the Karmapa’s trust to buy land near here.

It was after the seizure of this Rs.1 crore that the Karmapa’s monastery was raided.

Dhar, the Corporation Bank manager, was also arrested Saturday night for allegedly facilitating a transaction of Rs.1 crore to Bhardwaj. The two were Sunday brought to the police station in Una, some 100 km from the monastery, for questioning, said Superintendent of Police Santosh Patiyal.

The Karmapa is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu school, one of the four sects of Buddhism. He is considered the third most important Tibetan religious head after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama.

The Karmapa fled Tibet and sought refuge in India in January 2000. Ever since, he has mostly lived in the monastery in Sidhbari near Dharamsala – the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Source: IANS

Article – 2

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4863459

Karmapa row: Hotelier held

Dharamsala: Dharamsala businessman and hotelier K.P. Bhardwaj, who is believed to have struck a land deal with the Karmapa’s trust, and a bank manager from Haryana have been arrested and are being questioned following the recovery of unaccounted foreign and Indian currency worth nearly Rs.70 million from the monastery.

“Bhardwaj was arrested last (Saturday) evening as an unaccounted Rs.1 crore was seized from two of his men on Jan 25 at Mehatpur in Una district,” Inspector General of Police P.L. Thakur told IANS.

Bhardwaj had claimed that the Rs.1 crore recovered from the men was a payment made by the Karmapa’s trust to buy land near here.

It was after the seizure of this Rs.1 crore that the Gyuto Tantric University and Monastery, where the Karmapa has been residing for the last few years with his followers, was raided and huge amounts of foreign and Indian currency recovered.

D.K. Dhar, manager of the Corporation Bank in Ambala in Haryana, was also arrested Saturday night for allegedly making a transaction of Rs.1 crore to Bhardwaj. The two were Sunday brought to the police station in Una, some 100 km from the monastery, for questioning.

“Both Bhardwaj and Dhar have been brought to Una for interrogation,” said Superintendent of POlice Santosh Patiyal.

A string of central government agencies got into the picture Saturday to get to the bottom of the recovery of unaccounted currency. The most baffling part of the total seizure from the monastery was the 1.1 million (Rs.7 mn) of Chinese currency and over 600,000 US dollars.

The presence of Chinese Yuan brought the controversy about the Karmapa’s alleged links to China to the fore again. He had arrived mysteriously from his monastery near Lhasa in Tibet region in January 2000.

However, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who was also questioned by the police officials, late Saturday clarified that there was no China link to his activities and that the foreign currency seized was from disciples from all over the world.

The Karmapa’s office, in a statement said: “The cash in question, under current investigation by the police is offerings received for charitable purposes from local and international disciples from many different countries wishing to support His Holiness Karmapa’s various charitable activities.”

Source: IANS

Article – 3

http://www.sify.com/news/raids-continue-karmapa-denies-china-link-to-cash-roundup-news-national-lb3waffhgeb.html

Raids continue, Karmapa denies China-link to cash (Roundup)

Dharamsala, Jan 29 (IANS) Even as raids on his monastery and close aides continued for the third day Saturday, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, said there was no China link to his activities and that the foreign currency seized was from disciples from all over the world.

Despite the recovery of huge amounts of foreign and Indian currency from the Gyuto Tantric University and Monastery premises and from his close aides in the last three days, the Karmapa’s office defended him.

A string of central government agencies got into the picture Saturday to get to the bottom of the recovery of unaccounted foreign and Indian currency worth nearly Rs.70 million (Rs.7 crore).

Aided by officials of the income tax department, enforcement directorate and intelligence bureau, the Himachal Pradesh police continued their raids on the premises of the Karmapa and his close aides at the monastery located at Sidhbari, 10 km from here.

The monastery is close to the Army base at Yol Cantt.

The Karmapa himself was questioned by state police officials and other central government agencies.

‘During initial questioning, he told us that he had no idea about the foreign currency and other cash. But we are investigating the matter,’ a senior police official told IANS.

The Karmapa’s sister and other close aides were also being questioned, police officials said.

The residence of Gompo Tsering, secretary of the Karmapa, who was recalled from Dehradun Saturday, was also raided Saturday.

‘Foreign currency worth Rs.400,000 was recovered from his (Tsering’s) house during the search,’ additional director general of police S.R. Mardi told IANS.

Tsering avoided the waiting media Saturday, saying: ‘I have the right to silence.’

The most baffling part of the total seizure from the monastery is the 1.1 million (Rs.7 mn) of Chinese currency and over 600,000 US Dollars.

Senior police officials said that the Chinese Yuan was ‘neatly packed in bundles’ and did not seem like money offered by visiting devotees.

The presence of Chinese Yuan had brought the controversy about the Karmapa’s alleged links to China to the fore again. He had arrived mysteriously from his monastery near Lhasa in Tibet region January 2000.

But the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetans, defended the Karmapa.

Talking to reporters in Bangalore, the Dalai Lama denied that there could be a Chinese link to the activities of the Karmapa.

But he added that the foreign and Indian currency should have been deposited in a bank and not kept in cash at the monastery.

Possession of so much foreign currency could put the Karmapa, who is a refugee in India, and his aides in trouble under the Foreign Exchange Maintenance Act (FEMA).

The agencies also raided a local businessman K.P. Bhardwaj, who had claimed that the Rs.10 million (Rs.1 crore) recovered from two of his men was a payment made by the Karmapa’s trust to buy land near here.

As searches continued for the third day in offices located in the monastery premises, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the state is following protocol procedures since the Karmapa came under the purview of the central home and external affairs ministries.

‘We have apprised the central government on the development. They are on the job and investigating the case. We are following protocol,’ Dhumal told reporters.

He said he would raise the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi Feb 1. ‘It’s a serious issue and even a threat to the internal security of the state,’ Dhumal said.

With the developments of the last three days bringing his office into a major cash controversy, the Karmapa, who is the 17th reincarnation of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and the third highest ranked monk after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, missed the Saturday morning prayers and his public audience later.

He had been confined to his rooms on the top floor of the monastery even though the authorities are not officially saying that he is under house arrest.

‘The foreign currency is from 25 different countries and includes large amounts of US dollars, Chinese Yuan, Hong Kong dollars, Taiwanese and other currencies,’ Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police D.S. Manhas said.

The Karmapa’s office, in a statement said, they were ‘complying fully with the investigation’.

The raids on the Karmapa’s monastery were conducted after the police arrested two people at Mehatpur in Una district Jan 25 night and seized unaccounted Rs.1 crore from them.

Police believe the money was meant for some ‘illegal’ land deal in Dharamsala in Kangra district with the involvement of Karmapa’s aide Rubgi Chosang, also known as Shakti Lama. He is now in police custody and is being interrogated.

In a statement issued here Saturday evening, a spokesman of the Karmapa said: ‘The cash in question, under current investigation by the police is offerings received for charitable purposes from local and international disciples from many different countries wishing to support His Holiness Karmapa’s various charitable activities.’

The statement denied any China-link to any activities of the Karmapa or his office.

‘At this point, we can say that His Holiness Karmapa has a large following of Tibetans from Tibet, who make donations in Chinese currency,’ the statement said.

The spokesman said that the Karmapa had cooperated with the investigating teams and made himself available to any kind of questioning.

‘Monasteries across the world receive offerings from devotees in various forms, there is nothing surprising, new or irregular in this.’

With allegations of the Karmapa’s office being involved in an ‘illegal’ land deal near Dharmasala, the statement said: ‘Because the Karmapa resides in temporary quarters in Dharamsala, his office of administration has been seeking to build a monastery as a permanent residence for His Holiness.

‘This project is clearly subject to Indian government’s approval. The Gyalwang Karmapa’s office has kept the relevant Indian government agencies fully informed of its recent plans to purchase suitable land.’

©Indo-Asian News Service

Article – 4

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/HimachalPradesh/Karmapa-quizzed-gets-Dalai-Lama-s-backing/Article1-656560.aspx

Karmapa quizzed, gets Dalai Lama’s backing, two more arrested

Dharamsala/Shimla, Jan 30 (PTI) Police today questioned the Karmapa who got the backing of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, even as they arrested two more persons in connection with the seizure of foreign currency worth over Rs 7.5 crore from the offices of a trust backed by him.
The Karmapa denied any Chinese links and said the charges against him were “grossly speculative and without foundation”.
A team of state police officers put about 50 questions to Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje at Gyuto Monastery at Sidhbari but he feigned complete ignorance about the foreign currency and other documents recovered from there.

The police said they had given him the set of questions pertaining to the recovery of money and functioning of the Monastery but he completely dissociated himself with the developments and maintained that the affairs of the Trust were managed by Shakti Lama and Gompu Tshering and his role was only confined to “preachings” as a religious head.

The team, led by Additional Superintendent of Police, Una, K G Kapoor, gave the questionnaire that was in English and he replied through an interpreter, Inspector General of Police P.L.Thakur told PTI noting that the investigations were on and the Karmapa might be questioned again after more information and inputs were available.

Karmapa denied all allegations and said the money was donated by devotees, who come from all over the world and belonged to the Trust.

Dharamsala-based businessman K P Bhardwaj and Manager of Ambala branch of the Corporation Bank D K Dhar were arrested last night following raids conducted at the residence and hotel of Bharadwaj and clues provided by him during questioning with regard to the money trail, the IGP said.With this, the number of people taken into custody has risen to five.

Backing the Karmapa, the Dalai Lama told reporeters in Bangalore, “He (Karmapa) is an important Lama” and demanded a thorough probe into the seizure of foreign currency.

Apparently explaining the huge Chinese currency haul, the Dalai Lama said, “The Karmapa has many devotees including from China …Some money would have naturally being received by him… There has been some negligence… (It is) better now to have a thorough investigation.”

A statement by the Karmapa”s office said, “We categorically deny having any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese government and like to state that the allegations being levelled against the Karmapa and his administration are grossly speculative and without foundation in the truth as everyone who knows the history of our lineage and struggle is surprised by the allegations.” .

Article – 5

http://www.indiaeveryday.in/fullnews-karmapa-questioned-denies-links-with-beijing-indian-1001-2247431.htm

Karmapa questioned, denies links with Beijing

The 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Thinley Dorjee, was questioned by the Himachal Pradesh Police on Friday night about the huge recovery of unaccounted foreign and Indian currency from his monastery in Sidhbari here. According to sources, he denied any knowledge about the currency, stored in bags and trunks in his office at the Gyuto monastery, where he has been based since 2000.

The head of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the Karmapa reportedly told the police that his office was managed by treasurer Shakti Lama and secretary Gompo Tsering, who handled all such matters, and that he had no knowledge of how and from where the money came. Both are being questioned by the Himachal Police. While Shakti Lama has been arrested and remanded in police custody till February 5, Tsering has been detained.

Police continued their searches today at the monastery’s offices, from where so far Chinese currency amounting to 11 lakh Yuan has been recovered, apart from currencies of 24 other countries. It took the police around 26 hours to complete the counting of the currency, amounting to Rs 7.5 crore.

In a statement issued late this evening, the Karmapa denied any links with “any arm” of the Chinese government.

Explaining the huge cash, it said: “The cash in question… is offerings received for charitable purposes from local and international disciples from many different countries… Monasteries across the world receive offerings from devotees in various form, there is nothing surprising, new or irregular in this.”

About the Chinese currency, the statement says: “At this point, we can say that His Holiness Karmapa has a large following of Tibetans from Tibet, who make donations in Chinese currency.”

In reference to allegations of benami land deals, the statement says that the Karmapa has been seeking to build a monastery as a permanent residence, as he currently lives in temporary quarters. “This project is clearly subject to the Indian government’s approval. The Gyalwang Karmapa’s office has kept the relevant Indian government agencies fully informed of its recent plans to purchase suitable land. The potential site was evaluated and cleared by appropriate governmental offices. The negotiations to purchase the land are still in progress, had been reported to the Indian authorities, and are completely above board.”

The Dalai Lama, who was asked about the matter in Bangalore today, also gave a clean chit to the Karmapa. “There is no Chinese link. The money is received through offerings, but in the present case, the money should have been deposited in the bank,” he said.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the Karmapa’s trust has not filed any tax returns since 2009. Account books seized by the police show entries of around Rs 35 lakh.

Apart from the currency recovered from the monastery officers, the police seized around $5,600 in a five-hour search at Gompo Tsering’s residence. Police also seized his laptop. ASP (Una) KG Kapoor, who is heading the investigations, told The Indian Express that Tsering is suspected to have amassed property in Dehradun.

Raids were also conducted on the hotel and residence of businessman K P Bhardwaj in Dharamsala, and were continuing till late Saturday evening. The Karmapa trust was reportedly negotiating with him for land.

The searches of the monastery followed detention of two men, after routine checks on Republic Day led to the recovery of a sackful of currency amounting to Rs 1 crore from their vehicle at a check-point in Una. The vehicle, registered in Bhardwaj’s name, was coming from New Delhi and going to Dharmsala. The bank certificate they were carrying turned out to be fake and during checking of the currency, police found stamps of ICICI and HDFC banks’ branches in Majnu Ka Tilla, New Delhi, on the currency wads. The Delhi locality has a high concentration of Tibetans.

The detained men revealed during interrogation that the money was to be given to Shakti Lama for a land deal. Bhardwaj told the police that the Karmapa trust was buying land from him. Finding too many loopholes, the Himachal Police raided the Gyuto monastery and found the unaccounted foreign currency in Shakti Lama’s office.

Himachal laws debar outsiders from buying land in the state, and police have already seized documents relating to recent land deals in Dharamsala.

In his first comments on the matter, Himachal Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal urged the Centre to keep a close tab on the activities of the Karmapa, and to investigate the source of the foreign currency. “It is an issue related to the country’s internal security,” Dhumal said.

IndianExpress

Article – 6

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-01-30/news/28427642_1_karmapa-chinese-links-shakti-lama

Two more arrested, Karmapa denies Chinese links

Shimla/Dharamsala, Jan 30 (PTI) A Dharamsala-based businessman and a bank manager have been arrested in connection with seizure of foreign currency worth over Rs 7.5 crore from the offices of a trust backed by the Karmapa who has denied any Chinese links and said the charges were “grossly speculative”.

Businessman K P Bhardwaj and Manager of Ambala branch of the Corporation Bank D K Dhar were arrested following raids conducted on residence and hotel of Bharadwaj and clues provided by him during questioning with regard to the money trail, Inspector General of Police P L Thakur told PTI. With this, the number of people taken into custody has risen to five.

A spokesman for the Karmapa has denied any Chinese links and described the allegation against him and his administration as “grossly speculative and without foundation”.

The IGP said Bharadwaj had told the police that the bank manager had issued an “authorisation letter” that the money was meant for some land deal.

The police arrested two persons — Ashutosh and Sanjay Dutt — on January 26 after alleged recovery of Rs 1 crore and later nabbed Shakti Lama, a key functionary of the Karmapa backed trust, who were remanded in police custody for nine days. The police is likely to question the Karmapa about the foreign currency recovered from the trust and premises of his aides. The sleuths of Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department have also joined the probe.

“The police have so far not reached any conclusion about the source of the money and all documents including the computer of Karmapa were being thoroughly scanned,” Thakur said, adding that the police had never said anything about “Chinese links” of the Karmapa.

The statement by the Karmapa”s office said, “We categorically deny having any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese Government and like to state that the allegations being levelled against the Karmapa and his administration are grossly speculative and without foundation in the truth as everyone who knows the history of our lineage and struggle is surprised by the allegations.”

It said, “Monasteries across the world accept offerings from devotees in various forms and there is nothing surprising, new or irregular in this. .

Article – 7

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/133033/no-china-link-cash-disciples.html

No China link, cash from disciples: Karmapa

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), Jan 29 (IANS) Following the seizure of huge amounts of foreign and Indian currency from the premises of his monastery and from his aides, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Saturday said there was no China link to his activities and that the foreign currency seized was from disciples from all over the world.

The statement denied any China-link to any activities of the Karmapa or his office.

‘At this point, we can say that His Holiness Karmapa has a large following of Tibetans from Tibet, who make donations in Chinese currency,’ the statement said.

The spokesman said that the Karmapa had cooperated with the investigating teams and made himself available to any kind of questioning.

‘We have followers in a large number of countries, who have placed their trust and faith in us and, through their individual donations, enable the sect to undertake substantial programmes of public service that have benefitted many thousands in India and abroad,’ the statement added.

‘Monasteries across the world receive offerings from devotees in various forms, there is nothing surprising, new or irregular in this.’

‘The Gyalwang Karmapa’s office has kept the relevant Indian government agencies fully informed of its recent plans to purchase suitable land. The potential site was evaluated and cleared by the appropriate governmental offices. The negotiations to purchase the land are still in progress, had been reported to the Indian authorities, and are completely above board.’

Talking to reporters in Bangalore, where he is on a visit for his teachings, the Dalai Lama denied that there could be a Chinese link to the activities of the Karmapa.

Defending the Karmapa, the Dalai Lama said that the foreign and Indian currency should have been deposited in a bank and not kept in cash at the monastery.

Article – 8

http://www.anhourago.in/show.aspx?l=7787063&d=502

Dalai Lama for thorough probe into Karmapa’s cash links

Bangalore, Jan 30: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today said he favoured a thorough probe into the cash dealings of 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorje following seizure of unaccounted currency, including Chinese Yuan, to the tune of Rs.7 crore from the Karmapa’s monastery in Himachal Pradesh.

“There should be a thorough investigation into the cash dealings of Karmapa. As he is an important Lama, he has several disciples, including many from China,” the 14th Dalai Lama told reporters here on the margins of a function.

Noting that the Karmapa had money as he needed it, the Nobel laureate admitted that there was “some negligence”, which needed to be investigated.

“He has some money as he too needs it. But there is some negligence. It also has to be probed,” the Dalai Lama said after delivering an hour-long public talk on “Finding Happiness in Troubled Times” at the National College grounds in this tech hub. (IANS)

Article -9

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dalai-lama-for-thorough-probe-into-karmapa-s-cash-links/article1-656498.aspx

Tibetan monk quizzed by Indian police over cash

INDIAN authorities are investigating the source of large amounts of money found in a monastery that is the headquarters of Tibetan Buddhism’s third most important leader.

Police and revenue officials are tracking about £490,000 found in the Gyuto monastery, which is the home of Ugyen Thinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, said DS Minhas, director general of police in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

The money was in nearly two dozen foreign currencies, including a large amount of Chinese yuan, Minhas said.

“The amount of money we found was so large that we will certainly look into every angle of what could be the source, and what was the purpose,” Minhas said.

Indian media have been carrying reports that the Karmapa could be a Chinese agent who was sent to India to become a leader of Tibetan Buddhists who have made their home in the northern Indian town of Dharmsala.

The Karmapa has been living in Dharmsala since his arrival from Tibet in 2000.

Minhas said police have questioned the Karmapa and would talk to him again about the source of the funds. A spokesman, Karma Chungyalpa, said the Karmapa’s lawyers were preparing a statement.

Dharmsala has been the headquarters of the self-declared Tibetan government-in-exile since the Dalai Lama, the 75-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, fled the Himalayan region in 1959.

Police raided the Gyuto monastery on Thursday and arrested a monk on suspicion of trying to illegally buy land in the region.

The raid followed the arrest of two Indians a day earlier who were found carrying 10 million rupees (£137,000) in cash, said Santosh Patial, a superintendent of police.

On questioning, the two said they had received the money from the monk, an Indian national, to buy a plot of land in Himachal Pradesh, where Dharmsala is located.

Patial said the Indians, who come from other Indian states, need special government permission to buy land in Himachal Pradesh state.

Article -10

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Yuan-haul-re-ignites-China-link-row/articleshow/7387849.cms

Yuan haul re-ignites China-link row

SHIMLA: The recent haul of about Rs 7 crore, including more than 11 lakh yuans, among the currency of 25 countries, recovered from the Gyuto Ramoche temple, where the 17th Karmapa of the Kagyu sect has housed his monastery, has brought the intelligence agencies into action yet again and perhaps given credibility to the words of Shamar Rinpoche, a senior regent of the Kagyu order, who had described the escape of Ugyen Trinley Dorje to India on January 5, 2000, as a political ploy in agreement with the Chinese government to claim the property of the Karmapa.

In fact, after the head of Kagyu order, the 16th Karmapa, died of cancer in Chicago in November 1981, leaving behind property worth billions and no letter of prediction about his own reincarnation, Shamar Rinpoche, searched Trinlay Thaye Dorje, a Tibet-born boy as the reincarnation of the Karmapa. He smuggled the boy, along with his parents, to India. But thereafter, Tai Situ Rinpoche, third in order of the Kagyu hierarchy, announced Ugyen Trinlay Dorje as the reincarnation.

Ugyen Trinlay Dorje was ordained as the 17th Karmapa at the monastery in Tsurphu, 30 kms from Lhasa in Tibet, on September 27, 1992. Beijing had officially recognized the boy two months earlier on June 29, bestowing the title of the Living Buddha on him and it coincided with Dalai Lama?s formal recognition which was given at Dharamsala on the same day. Thus there became two claimants to the throne of the Kagyu sect at Rumtek monastery in Sikkim.

What has alarmed the intelligence agencies is the fact that Tai Situ Rinpoche, who played an instrumental role in searching him as the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa, started playing a key role in getting permission from the Centre for Ugyen Trinley Dorje to go to Rumtek in Sikkim, which has so far been denied. Tai Situ had earlier been debarred from entering India because of his suspected links with China, but managed later because of his equations in Delhi, and had reached McLeodganj within an hour of the arrival of the Karmapa, giving rise to suspicion that he may have played a major role in the Karmapa?s escape.

Interestingly, photographs of Ngthup, sister of the Karmapa, who had supposedly come with him, were published two months before the arrival of Ugyen Trinlay Dorjey, as talking to the Dalai Lama at a function in Gaya. The photographs reached the intelligence agencies pressing home the point how could she be present at a function in Gaya held two months earlier. Later, she had admitted to have come to India two months earlier.

Tibetans fleeing China normally contact the Tibetan reception centre at Kathmandu on reaching Nepal, from where they get the necessary papers of their refugee status so that they can come to India. But the Karmapa group’s escape was so meticulously planned that they did not have to call upon the Dalai Lama’s representatives atNepal nor even stop at the centre.

Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, headquarters of the Kagyu order, is apparently important for India as there is a large number of followers of the sect living there, and equally for China, as the latter refuses to recognize Sikkim as an integral part of India and thus important to reach the throne at Rumtek, as there could be repercussions if the Karmapa, recognised by China, who came suddenly from the blue, gains access. Ironically, Ugyen Trinley Dorje had expressed his desire to go to Rumtek, and till that time, be allowed to move to the Sherabling monastery, which is now the headquarters of Tai Situ Rinpoche.

Article – 11

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/133276/karmapa-intentionally-hiding-facts-say.html

Karmapa intentionally hiding facts, say Himachal Police

Believing that the Tibetan religious leader, the Karmapa, is not telling the complete truth, the Himachal Pradesh Police have decided to interrogate him again. An investigating official told IANS Sunday that the Karmapa was intentionally hiding facts.

Denying all allegations, the Karmapa had said the money seized during the raids on his monastery was given by his devotees and he had not done anything to harm India’s interests.

A police team, led by Una’s a`dditional superintendent of police K.G. Kapoor, arrived at the Gyuto Tantric University and Monastery near here to question the Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, about the nearly Rs.70 million worth of unaccounted foreign and Indian currency recovered from his premises. He was quizzed Friday as well.

“He is knowingly hiding some facts by showing feigned ignorance about the foreign currency and other cash,” Inspector General of Police P.L. Thakur said.

“Quite possibily, he will be interrogated again in the next few days,” he said, adding that “even some more staff of the monastery would be grilled”.

Another police official said the Karmapa sidestepped some of questions relating to financial dealings.

“The staff (earlier interrogated) admitted that the entire financial dealings were in the knowledge of the Karmapa,” he said. The Karmapa’s sister and other close aides were also being questioned, officials said.

Police believe the money was meant for some “illegal” land deal in Dharamsala in Kangra district with the involvement of the Karmapa’s aide Rubgi Chosang, also known as Shakti Lama. He is now in police custody.

Kapoor said a volley of questions was asked to the Karmapa and he denied all allegations. He said the money recovered was the money given by the devotees.

“But we are not happy with his replies and he is likely to be questioned again,” he added.

Soon after the Karmapa was questioned, a spokesperson for the Tibetan religious leader denied allegations against him, stressing he was not a Chinese agent.

“The Karmapa has not done anything wrong to undermine and harm the interests of India,” Karma Topden, the spokesperson, told reporters.

“The Karmapa has got offerings from all over the world. The cash was donated money. There is no ‘hawala’ link to money,” he said.

On his China links, Topden clarified: “His very escape from Tibet and arrival in India clearly shows Tibetan people are being suppressed by the Chinese.” He also cited reasons for the Karmapa’s escape from Tibet, which included the Chinese putting pressure on him to go against Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and also completing his spiritual studies.

Naresh Thakur, the Karmapa’s counsel, told reporters here that the central government has already been informed about the offerings the monastery is getting from the devotees, including the foreigners.

“The monastery authorities have even sought permission from the state to buy land near the monastery,” he added.

A string of government agencies is involved in the investigation into the seized currency, particularly the 1.1 million (Rs.7 million) in Chinese currency and over $600,000.

“Bhardwaj was arrested last (Saturday) evening as an unaccounted Rs.1 crore was seized from two of his men on Jan 25 at Mehatpur in Una district,” Thakur said. Bhardwaj had claimed that the Rs.1 crore recovered from the men was a payment made by the Karmapa’s trust to buy the land. It was after the seizure of this Rs.1 crore that the Karmapa’s monastery was raided.

Dhar, the Corporation Bank manager, was also arrested Saturday night for allegedly facilitating a transaction of Rs.1 crore to Bhardwaj, said Superintendent of Police Santosh Patiyal.

The Karmapa fled Tibet and sought refuge in India in January 2000. Ever since, he has mostly lived in the monastery in Sidhbari near Dharamsala – the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Article – 12

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Karmapa-monastery-episode-reignites-debate-over-real-Karmapa/articleshow/7392873.cms

Karmapa monastery episode reignites debate over real Karmapa

DHARAMSALA: The seizure of considerable foreign currency including Yuan (Chinese) and possible funding from Beijing for constructing a monastery near Dharamsala has reignited the debate about the real claimant to the throne of the 17th Karmapa.

Though Ogyene Trinley Dorjee had been given recognition by the Dalai Lama, the exiled head of Tibetan community, the question remains that the Dalai Lama holds the right to decide about the 17th Karmapa since he is head of Kagyu sect, which is a different institution from the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) order, headed by the Dalai Lama. There are four main sects of Tibetan Buddhism are: the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) order, headed by the Dalai Lama, the Kagyupa (Red Hat), order, Nyingmapa order and the Sakyapa order. The Kagyu School is one of the four main branches of Tibetan Buddhism.

The head of the Kagyu School is called the karmapa. He wears a black crown to symbolize his ethereal black crown woven from the hair of goddesses. For this reason the Kagyu School is sometimes called the Black Hat School.

The first Karmapa who died in 1183 sometime before his departure had written a letter in which he made prediction that he would be reborn ten years later with the name Karma Pakshi. After ten years, the boy with the name predicted arrived on the scene, the Kagyu School regarded him as the reincarnation of the First Karmapa and chose him as the second Karmapa. For eight centuries one Karmapa followed another in orderly succession. This ended when the 16th Karmapa died in 1981 and the Kagyu School split over who should replace him which has led to a great deal of confusion and dispute over the real claimant to the throne of the 17th Karmapa.

After 11 years, in 1992, Situ Rinpoche, officially the third ranking lama in the lineage presented a letter to fellow Kagyu lamas, which he claimed was the “prediction letter” of the 16th Karmapa. However, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, the second ranking lama in the lineage rejected the authenticity of that letter outrightly and insisted the document undergo a forensic examination.

However, the Dalai Lama acting against the historic tradition gave recognition to Ogyen Trinley Dorjee as the 17th Karmapa. Due to which, the demand of Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche for forensic examination of the “prediction letter” did not cut much ice.

Not only this, it is all the more surprising that even the communist regime of China has given the full backing to Ogyene Trinley Dorjee, the candidate of Tai Situ Rinpoche’s candidate and “officially” proclaimed the boy to be a “living Buddha”.

In view of the dispute over the real 17th Karmapa and, Ogyene Trinley Dorjee being given backing by Beijing as the real claimant to the throne of the head of the Kagyu sect needs profound scrutiny and investigation by India security agencies as it could spell trouble from India’s security perspective.

Meanwhile, another claimant of 17th Karmapa Dawa Sangpo reprteldy stated on Saturday that finally the truth was coming to the fore about Ogyene Trinley Dorje.

Speaking to mediapersons at New Delhi, he said that Indian government should conduct through investigation and went as far as asking to cancel exile Tibetan government in the country since this is a serious breach to national security. He said that the money do not make anyone Karmapa, truth cannot be brought with money.

Article – 13

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/karmapa-not-antiindia-says-his-spokesperson/141922-3.html

Karmapa not anti-India, says his spokesperson

Dharamsala: The police on Sunday went to Gyuto monastery in Dharamsala to question Tibetan spiritual leader Karmapa Lama over the source of the huge amounts of cash, including Chinese currency, seized from the monastery.

This follows the interrogation of other accused in the case. Police claim that there is a direct link between the money recovered and property deals in Himachal Pradesh and other states. Five people including a hotelier and an assistant bank manager have been arrested so far in the case.

Meanwhile Karmapa’s spokesperson defended him saying that he cannot be anti India as the country is his second home.

He said, “Karmapa is very grateful for getting refuge in India. He is grateful to the people and government of India and values his obligations towards India.”

Justifying the huge cash haul form various countries the spokesperson said that thousands of followers from various countries make offerings in sealed envelope as well as in kind and that Karmapa knows nothing about the currency.

Defending Karmapa, his lawyer Naresh Mathur said, “If he was intending any fraud, he would have converted all money into Indian money and put it in banks. He wanted to take permission from the government under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.”

Foreign currency worth Rs 7 crore was recovered from Karmapa’s office. Meanwhile candle light march were held protesting raids at offices of Karmapa Lama. Thousands of followers and devotees of Karmapa Lama gathered at BodhGaya in Bihar and carried out a candle light march against the police action at his residence.

Police raids were conducted in the offices and residences of close aides of Karmapa on Saturday.

Article – 14

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/karmapa-effect-more-raids-across-dharamsala/141891-3.html

Karmapa effect: More raids across Dharamsala

Dharamsala: A day after police questioned Tibetan leader Karmapa Lama, ADGP SR Mardi told CNN-IBN that raids were conducted across Dharamsala and five people including Manager of Ambala based Corporation Bank DK Dhar and Dharamsala based hotelier KP Bharadwaj, from whose car Rs 1 crore seized were arrested by the Himachal Pradesh police.

Earlier the Dalai Lama spoke in support of Karmapa calling him a revered leader.

Police raids were conducted in the offices and residences of close aides of Karmapa on Saturday. Many foreigners also participating in the candle light march said that the allegation against him that he is a ‘Chinese Spy’ sounds baseless. Followers also said that the money recovered may be a part of huge donations he receives from across the world.

Police will question Karmapa Lama again on Sunday on the basis of recovery of Chinese currency and the findings from the interrogation of other accused. The police also claim a direct link between the money recovered and the property deals in Himachal Pradesh and other states.

Video attached

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLao_UaHdpg

Article – 15

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/karmapa-money-trail-dalai-lama-backs-probe-into-possible-negligence-82365

Karmapa money trail: Dalai Lama backs probe into ‘possible negligence

Dharamsala, Bangalore: With the Karmapa money trail and its suspected links to China casting a shadow over the Tibetan religious leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama today came out in support of a “thorough investigation” into the incident.

But the Tibetan spiritual head was cautious, claiming that the cash recovered from the Karmapa’s accountant could have been a result of negligence.

“Karmapa has many devotees including from China…some money would have naturally been received by him…there has been some negligence…better now have a thorough investigation”, Dalai Lama said.

The Karmapa, meanwhile, was subjected to a second round of questioning today by a team of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials at the Gyoto Monastery at Sidhbari.

The third-ranked spiritual leader feigned complete ignorance about the foreign currency and other documents recovered from there.

According to sources, the probe agencies are focusing on two crucial aspects.

First up, why was there so much contact with China. The suspicion is based on the fact that Beijing never really opposed the 25-year-old Karmapa who turned up mysteriously in India in the winter of 2000, saying he had fled Chinese harassment.

The second line of investigation is property which is what the cash was meant for, according to Karmapa’s supporters.

The police had earlier in the day arrested an hotelier in Dharamsala named K P Bhardawaj in connection with the seizure of foreign currency worth over Rs. 7.5 crore from the offices of a trust backed by the Karmapa who is suspected of planning to set up China-friendly institutions across the Himalayan region. (Read: Police detain hotelier in Dharamsala)

Speaking to NDTV, K G Kapoor, Assistant Superintendent of Police of Una said, “He (hotelier) has told that the accounting section is responsible for money matters and Karmapa has no role to play.”

A spokesman for the Karmapa denied any Chinese links and described the allegation against him and his administration as “grossly speculative and without foundation”.

The Karmapa’s office says every single penny they received came through donations and is well accounted for. But it’s the Foreign Currency Regulation Act (FCRA) which is restricting the monastery from depositing the foreign currency in banks.

Article – 16

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dalai-lama-comes-out-in-support-of-karmapa/141939-3.html

Dalai Lama comes out in support of Karmapa

New Delhi: Coming out in the defence of Karmapa Lama, the Dalai Lama on Sunday said the foreign currency recovered from the Karmapa’s office were donations from Chinese followers.

Dalai Lama told the reporters that Karmapa has Chinese followers and has received donations from them.

Meanwhile, the 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee continued to remain under the scanner for his alleged Chinese links. On Sunday, the Himachal Pradesh police questioned him and his secretary Gompu Tshering and recovered foreign currency worth Rs 4 lakh. Two officials of the Karmapa monastery have been taken into custody.

The arrested include Karmapa’s accountant Shakti lama, Dharmshala businessman KP Bhardwaj and Corporation bank manager DK Dhar. The police believe the huge cache of currency found at the Karmapa’s transit home was meant for a land deal and Bhardwaj and Dhar were facilitating that deal.

The Una police questioned the Karmapa for hours on Sunday but reportedly felt dissatisfied at the answers given to the 50 questions asked about the source of foreign currency recovered. The Himachal police is likely to question the Tibetan religious leader again even as his spokesperson continued to defend him.

Even as the Karmapa insists that he has no link with China, security agencies are skeptical as suspicions grow that the 1.1 million Yuan recovered from him was funded from Beijing to further its plans to control Indian monasteries.

Earlier, defending Karmapa, his lawyer Naresh Mathur said, “If he was intending any fraud, he would have converted all money into Indian money and put it in banks. He wanted to take permission from the government under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.”

Foreign currency worth Rs 7 crore was recovered from Karmapa’s office. Meanwhile candle light marches were held protesting raids at offices of Karmapa Lama. Thousands of followers and devotees of Karmapa Lama gathered at Bodh Gaya in Bihar and carried out a candle light march against the police action at his residence.

Article – 17

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Karmapa-quizzed-gets-Dalai-Lama-s-backing/Article1-656560.aspx

Karmapa quizzed, gets Dalai Lama’s backing

Police today questioned the Karmapa who got the backing of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, even as they arrested two more persons in connection with the seizure of foreign currency worth over Rs 7.5 crore from the offices of a trust backed by him. The Karmapa denied any Chinese links and

said the charges against him were “grossly speculative and without foundation”.

A team of state police officers put about 50 questions to Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje at Gyuto Monastery at Sidhbari but he feigned complete ignorance about the foreign currency and other documents recovered from there.

Karmapa denied all allegations and said the money was donated by devotees, who come from all over the world and belonged to the Trust.

With this, the number of people taken into custody has risen to five.

Backing the Karmapa, the Dalai Lama told reporeters in Bangalore, “He (Karmapa) is an important Lama” and demanded a thorough probe into the seizure of foreign currency.

A statement by the Karmapa’s office said, “We categorically deny having any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese government and like to state that the allegations being levelled against the Karmapa and his administration are grossly speculative and without foundation in the truth as everyone who knows the history of our lineage and struggle is surprised by the allegations.”

Article – 18

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Karmapa-had-come-to-India-owing-to-Chinese-pressure/Article1-656546.aspx

Karmapa had come to India owing to Chinese pressure

Amidst the mounting pressure to reveal the source of unaccounted money, particularly stacks of Chinese Yuan found at Gyuto Tantric monastery, 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje aides got into damage control mode. Denying Karmapa “ link to China’, Ogyen Trinley Dorje aides said that Tibetan spiritual

leader came to India owing to pressure mounted by China to go against Dalai Lama.

Karma Topden former Indian ambassador to Mongolia on Sunday explained that Ogyen Trinley Dorje’s flight to India eleven years ago was fallout of the mounting pressure from Chinese to support Gyaltsen Norbu, Panchan Lama – the second highest spiritual head next to Dalai Lama that had been appointed by communist regime. “ The Karmapa did not want to be put in this position of going against the Dalai Lama. So he decided to leave Tibet,” said Topden.

Going further Topden gave series of other reasons for Karmapa’s escape from Tibet, when he reached Dharamsala in January 2000, to meet Dalai Lama. Topden who is also Spokesperson of Karmapa Reception Committee in Sikkim, said that Ogyen was keen to receive oral teachings according to Karma Kagyu tradition from gurus of his lineage who had also received them directly from the 16th Karmapa directly, his predecessor, as they now reside in India. “The third reason was that he wanted to see the Dalai Lama and to receive His Holiness’ blessings” said Topden.

Topden minced no words to admit that 17th Karmapa had been nurturing desire to visit Rumtek monastery which is now forbidden for him due the dispute over rightful claimant. Sharamapa Rincpoche second in the hierarchy of Kagyu lineage had selected Thaye Dorje as reincarnate of 16th Karmapa. Thaye Dorje now resides in Kalingpong in West Bengal. “ As he( Ogyen) heard a lot about this, he wanted to come to India to visit and see these places. Also he had heard a lot about the activities of his predecessor in India from where traveled to other countries and spread the words of Dharma and set up various Karma Kagyu centers all around the world” said Topden.

“Believing and knowing that India is a free country unlike Tibet, where there is suppression and religious freedom is not allowed, he had come to India so that he could freely gain spiritual knowledge from his gurus and freely practice and preach Dharma in India and in the rest of the world” said Topden.Karmapas, aides on behalf of their spiritual expressed their gratitude to government of India for giving refuge to Ogyen Trinley Dorje.

Article -19

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Karmapas-replies-unsatisfactory-to-be-questioned-again-Police/articleshow/7392705.cms

Karmapa’s replies unsatisfactory, to be questioned again: Police

DHARAMSALA: The state police team which interrogated the 17th Karmapa, Ogyene Trinley Dorjee again at Gyuto monastery ( Siddhbari ) 8 kilomteres from on Sunday afternoon said that it was not satisfied with the replies given by Karmapa to the queries asked by them (police).

A police team, led by Una’s ASP K G Kapoor, arrived at the Gyuto Tantric University and Monastery to question the Karmapa about the hue haul of foreign and Indian currency recovered from his premises during the raids.

“Fifty questions were asked to the Karmapa and he denied all allegations. He said the money recovered was money given by devotees,” Kapoor said. But we are not happy with his replies and he is likely to be questioned again,” he added.

A team of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) from New Delhi also reportedly here to carry out questioning of the Karmapa for his alleged Chinese links.

Karmapa is under scanner for his possible plan to purchase land and construct a monastery to set-up institutions of Chinese leaning in the region. The IB team is also understood to have seized certain important documents and papers from the monastery.

Dharamslaa northern range IG, PL thakur said that further questioning of Karmapa could be held as investigations progressing further. He also clarified that there was no restriction on the movement of Karmapa.

Sources said that Karmapa who was being helped by interpreter on being asked about the sources of money remained tight-lipped and feigned ignorance saying that it was the money of the devotees including currency recovered from the monastery. The interrogation of Karmapa was mainly focused on the source of money and possible Chinese link with the monastery’s financial dealings.

The Karmapa trust has also not reportedly filed any tax returns since 2009 as per the preliminary investigations.

Meanwhile, the state police also arrested Dharamsala businessman and hotelier K P Bhardwaj and D K Dhar, manager of the Corporation Bank in Ambala in Haryana, were Sunday brought for interrogation to Una, 100 km from the Karmapa’s monastery.

“Bhardwaj was arrested last (Saturday) evening as an unaccounted Rs 1 crore was seized from two of his men on Jan 25 at Mehatpur in Una district,” police said.

DK Dhar, manager of the Corporation Bank in Ambala in Haryana, was also arrested late on Saturday evening for issuing a cash remittance slip of Rs 1 crore to Bhardwaj.

With the arrest of Bharadwaj (hotelier) and Dhar (banker), five persons had been arrested so far in foreign currency recovery case pertaining to Karmapa monastery.

Article -20

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tibetans-rally-support-for-Karmapa-at-Dharamsala/Article1-656509.aspx

Tibetans rally support for Karmapa at Dharamsala

Three days after Tibetan spiritual leader was caught in cash controversy, Tibetan exiles on Sunday rallied support for 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje. On call given by Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, exiles from different walks of life staged a candle light vigil to exhibit their support for

17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje at Gyoto Tantric Monastery. Tibetans majority of them from monk community offered prayers chanting traditional Tibetan mantras.

“We are deeply hurt that our Lama who we revere and keep in high esteem has been alleged for having ‘Chinese links’” by the media. We protest such reports” said Tenzing Tsundue, poet and Tibetan activist. Protestors took round of the temple and later gathered at courtyard of the monastery.

The speakers expressed their support with the 17th Karmapa at the monastery. Officials of the central Tibetan administration did not participate in the vigil.

“Allegations of Chinese links are unfounded. Karmapa is innocent in this matter” said Sonam Dorje, president of regional chapter of Tibetan Youth Congress addressing the Tibetans during the vigil. “We thank the Indian government for all the support the Tibetans had got from the Indian government all these years,” said Sonam, while he proclaimed that 17th Karmapa was innocent and nothing to do with stacks of money found at Gyuto Tantric monastery.

Dorje who is also the general secretary of Indo-Tibetan friendship society said that Tibetans would rally more support for Tibetans if the need be. Tibetans from the settlements of Birh, Battu, Tashijong, Gopalpur and had participated in the candle light vigil even as 17th Karmapa remained closeted in his small room at the monastery.

Meanwhile the Tibetan government- in exile guardedly backed the Karmapa by posting the statement at their officials website which declared Karmapa innocent.

31 January 2011

Article – 1

http://in.news.yahoo.com/karmapa-issue-already-under-investigation-antony-20110131-033131-549.html

Karmapa issue already under investigation: Antony

New Delhi, Jan 31 (ANI): Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday said the Karmapa Lama issue is already under investigation, and added that the concerned agencies are investigating the case in detail.

“The issue is already under investigation by the government. Concerned agencies are inquiring the details. At this stage, I don’t want to say anything more. The government is taking this issue seriously. We are going to the deep of it and we are trying to find out the details,” Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The authorities are probing a suspected plan of the Karmapa Lama to buy land and establish China-friendly institutions across the Himalayan region.

A couple of days ago, Himachal Pradesh Police had raided the monastery of the Karmapa Lama, and recovered a huge sum of foreign currency of at least 25 countries, estimated as being worth at 60 million rupees.

In response to another question on situation in Egypt, Antony said: “The government is concerned about the developments. And, we are also concerned about the safety of the Indians in Egypt. So, External Affairs Ministry and Ministry of Civil Aviation, they are in constant touch and they are making arrangements to bring back Indians.”

An Air India plane, carrying about 300 stranded passengers from strife-torn Egypt, landed at Mumbai’s CST Airport on Monday afternoon.

The Boeing 747-800 was flown to Cairo on Sunday as a special measure to airlift the Indians stranded there amidst nationwide unrest against the Egyptian government.

Further commenting on the controversial Adarsh Housing Society scam in Mumbai, Antony said those guilty in the scam will not be spared.

“The CBI has given the report to the Mumbai High Court. Let it come out, and let them give their official report to our ministry, and then we will examine the details. We are very serious; that is why we only referred this matter to the CBI. It shows ministry is very serious about the matter. Whoever is found guilty, we will take action,” he added.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had on Saturday filed an FIR in the case. The FIR named former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan along with 12 others. he developments came after the Bombay High Court pulled up the CBI last week for its slow investigation into the case.

The High Court had asked the CBI to complete its probe into the Adarsh housing society scam in two weeks. The CBI had also been asked to take a decision on filing FIRs in the case.

The Adarsh scam claimed its first victim last year in the form of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who was forced to resign after reports surfaced that his kin owned flats in the society.

After Chavan, top bureaucrats too faced the axe, most notably among them being Maharashtra’s Chief Information Commissioner Ramanand Tiwari and Human Rights Commissioner Subhash K Lalla.

The 31-storey Adarsh Housing Society, originally meant for Kargil war heroes, landed in controversy after media reports said that several politicians, bureaucrats and defence personnel owned flats there. (ANI)

Article – 2

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/133443/china-denies-karmapa-its-spy.html

China denies Karmapa is its spy

China today denied that Karmapa, the head of the Tibetan Karma Kagyu sect, was its spy, and claimed that allegations against the country in this regard showed India’s “mistrustful attitude” towards Beijing.

“The speculation by India’s media, regarding the matter of the Karmapa as a Chinese agent or spy, shows that India is keeping its mistrustful attitude toward China,” said Xu Zhitao, an official at the United Front Work Department of the ruling Communist Party Central Committee.

In the first reaction to reports of raids on the offices of a trust backed by Karmapa in the Indian press, the official said, “the 17th Karmapa Living Buddha (Monks in Tibet are called living Buddhas) is the first reincarnated Living Buddha confirmed and approved by the Central Government of the People’s Republic of China after the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951.”

“The reincarnation of holy men is a unique form of succession in Tibetan Buddhism, which has long been recognized and respected,” Xu told state-run Global Times today.
Karmapa, heading the Karmapa sect, is informally ranked number 3 in Tibetan Buddhist spiritual religious milieu.

He is endorsed by both the Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual head as well as by the Chinese Government.

Where as Panchen Lama ranked second was appointed by China and but was not backed by Dalai Lama, the highest Tibetan spiritual leader denounced by China.
“Karmapa left China in 1999 for the purpose of religious behaviors, just as he claimed,” Xu said, apparently referring to the explanation provided by Karmapa’s advisor, Karma Topden in Dharmashala yesterday that one reason why the monk went to India was to complete spiritual learning process as all top teachers of his sect were based in India.

Xu, however, made no mention of Karmapa’s assertions the main reason why Karmapa fled to India was to escape from the pressure exhorted by the Chinese authorities on him to denounce Dalai Lama and support the Panchen Lama selected by the Chinese authorities.

Karmapa whose original name is Ugyen Trinley Dorjee said one reason why he went to India was to seek the blessings of Dalai Lama, who is denounced by China.
The Global Times news report also cited reports in the Indian media about protests by Karmapa supporters denying the allegations.

“This is not the first time that India’s media has linked ‘spies’ with China. Earlier this month, three Chinese citizens were arrested in India on suspicion of money laundering and spying on border security. But the Chinese foreign ministry said they were actually tourists who had mistakenly crossed the border from Nepal,” it said.

Article –3

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Police-pose-46-queries-to-spiritual-leader–give-week-s-time-to-answer/744019

Police pose 46 queries to spiritual leader, give week’s time to answer

Santosh Patyal, SP, Una, said the “response of Karmapa was on the expected lines as he did not give any substantial clue about the cash”.

The police have arrested two more persons in this case — Dharamsala-based hotelier K P Bhardwaj and Ambala-based Corporation Bank manager D K Dhar. Both were produced in a court at Una on Sunday, from where they were taken into police custody. Dhar and Bhardwaj were detained by the police on Saturday, following raids at Bhardwaj’s hotel and residence. Sources said the police have recovered property-related documents from Bhardwaj’s residence, besides cash. “The documents are yet being scrutinised, but there was prima facie evidence to arrest Bhardwaj and Dhar,” said one of the investigating officers.

While Bhardwaj is alleged to have demanded Rs 1 crore towards the deal of a 52 kanals land, located behind the monastery, Dhar is alleged to have prepared a fake document and handed it over to Bhardwaj’s men for carrying Rs 1 crore from Delhi to Dharamsala. The money, when seized at Mehatpur border, Una, on January 26, was being transported in a Mahindra Scorpio belonging to Bhardwaj and bearing a Himachal registration number.

Addressing a press conference at Dharamsala on Sunday, the Karmapa’s monastery admitted that Rs 1 crore was seized by the police at Mehatpur border. However, the monastery’s spokesperson said, “The money belongs to the monastery and it was to be paid to Bhardwaj for a land transaction.”

Unanswered questions
Despite denials issued by the Karmapa monastery, there are several unanswered questions:
* If the money belonged to the monastery, why were Bhardwaj’s men carrying the cash?
* If the money was demanded in cash, why didn’t the monastery’s accounts department realise that it could amount to a black money transaction?
* Why was such a huge amount not deposited in the bank?
* If the monastery is being managed by a Trust, why wasn’t the money deposited in the Trust’s account?
* Who entered into an agreement with Bhardwaj?
* On whose name was the land being bought?
* Did the state government give permission to build a monastery on the said land?

Article –4

http://www.sify.com/news/karmapa-cash-row-police-custody-for-hotelier-banker-news-national-lb5lEfaadjg.html

Karmapa cash row: Police custody for hotelier, banker

Dharamsala: A Dharamsala hotelier and a Haryana bank manager have been sent to police remand after they were arrested following the recovery of nearly Rs.7 crore in unaccounted foreign and Indian currency from Tibetan leader Karmapa Lama’s monastery, an official said here on Monday.

“Both K.P. Bhardwaj (the hotelier) and D.K. Dhar (manager of the Corporation Bank of Ambala) were sent to police remand till Feb 5 by an Una court on Sunday night,” Inspector General of Police P.L. Thakur said.

He said Bhardwaj was arrested on Saturday as an unaccounted Rs.1 crore was seized from two of his men at Mehatpur in Una district of Himachal Pradesh Jan 25.

Bhardwaj had claimed that the Rs.1 crore recovered from the men was a payment made by the Karmapa’s trust to buy land near Dharamsala in Kangra district.

It was after the seizure of this Rs.1 crore that the Gyuto Tantric University and Monastery, where the Karmapa has been residing for the last few years with his followers, was raided and about Rs.7 crore in foreign and Indian currency recovered.

Karmapa intentionally hiding facts: Himachal Police

The Karmapa was quizzed Jan 28 as well.

Dhar, manager of the bank, was also arrested on Saturday night for allegedly facilitating a transaction of Rs.1 crore to Bhardwaj. The charge against Dhar was that he had prepared a fake document and handed it over to Bhardwaj’s men for carrying Rs.1 crore from Delhi to Dharamsala.

Denying all allegations, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, on Sunday again told the investigating agencies that the money seized during the raids was given by his devotees and he had not done anything to harm India’s interests.

Naresh Mathur, the Karmapa’s counsel, told reporters here on Sunday that the monastery made a payment of Rs.1 crore in cash in Delhi apart from a payment of Rs.75 lakh through a cheque to the land seller. He said this much payment in cash is permissible under the income tax act provisions.

On seizure of huge unaccounted money from the monastery during the raids, Mathur said the central government has already been informed about the offerings the monastery is getting from the devotees, including the foreigners.

“Since 2003, the administrative wing of the monastery has been asking the central government for permission to handle foreign currency received in donations but the government has rejected the plea on the ground that there is no such provision once somebody had got the currency,” he said.

Dalai Lama for thorough probe into Karmapa’s cash links

But Thakur said, “He is knowingly hiding some facts by showing feigned ignorance about the foreign currency and other cash.”

“Quite possibly, he will be interrogated again in the next few days,” he said, adding that “even some more staff of the monastery would be grilled”.

The Karmapa fled Tibet and sought refuge in India in January 2000. Ever since, he has mostly lived in the monastery in Sidhbari near Dharamsala – the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Article –5

http://www.hindustantimes.com/China-denies-Karmapa-its-spy-says-India-mistrustful/Article1-656701.aspx

China denies Karmapa its spy, says India mistrustful

China on Monday denied that Tibetan spiritual leader Karmapa was its spy and claimed allegations against it showed India’s “mistrustful attitude” towards Beijing. “The speculation by India’s media, regarding the matter of the Karmapa as a Chinese agent or spy, shows that India is keeping its

mistrustful attitude toward China,” said Xu Zhitao, an official of the United Front Work Department of the ruling Communist Party Central Committee.

The Karmapa heads one of the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism and could emerge as a future spiritual leader of Tibet on the death of the 75-year-old Dalai Lama, who has said he might not be replaced.

Police in Dharamshala have quizzed the Karmapa and arrested several aides after cash — mostly in US dollars but also in Chinese yuan and two dozen other currencies — at their monastery. Xu was the first Chinese official to comment after allegations that Karmapa was a Chinese spy.

“The 17th Karmapa Living Buddha (Monks in Tibet are called living Buddhas) is the first reincarnated Living Buddha confirmed and approved by the Central Government of the People’s Republic of China after the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951,” said Xu, who

“The reincarnation of holy men is a unique form of succession in Tibetan Buddhism, which has long been recognized and respected,” Xu told state-run ‘Global Times’.

“Karmapa left China in 1999 for the purpose of religious behaviors, just as he claimed,” said Xu.

Xu didn’t comment on Karmapa’s allegations that he had fled to India because the Chinese authorities were pressuring him to denounce Dalai Lama and support another spiritual leader called the Panchen Lama, whom Beijing supports.

The Global Times, which published Xu’s comments in a report, seemed to frown upon on the Indian media. “This is not the first time that India’s media has linked ‘spies’ with China. Earlier this month, three Chinese citizens were arrested in India on suspicion of money laundering and spying on border security. But the Chinese foreign ministry said they were actually tourists who had mistakenly crossed the border from Nepal,” it said.

Article –6

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-karmapas-journey/744029/1

The Karmapa’s journey

Ugyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, has intrigued Indian authorities ever since he arrived as a teenager in the winter of 1999-2000. The reasons include a seemingly incredible escape from Tibet’s closely guarded Tsurphu Monastery and a controversy surrounding his recognition as the Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Now, the seizure of 1.1 million yuan (among currency from 24 countries) from Gyuto University, his monastery at Sidhbari near Dharamsala, has triggered a controversy that has led to the Karmapa denying he has any links with China.

A look at his background, from his recognition as the Karmapa to the current controversy:

RECOGNITION
Born in 1985 to a nomadic family in eastern Tibet, he was formally enthroned at Tsurphu Monastery at the age of seven. It was not a unanimous choice. Following the death of the 16th Karmapa in 1981, three followers — Tai Situ Rinpoche, Shamar Rinpoche and Gyltsab Rinpoche — had started a search for a successor and one of them did not go with this choice.

Tai Situ Rinpoche proposed Ugyen Trinley Dorje as the successor, while Shamar Rinpoche put forward the name of Trinley Thaye Dorje. Both have been enthroned as the 17th Karmapa and are performing their ceremonial duties independently, one from India and the other from Tibet. China has recognised Ugyen Trinley Dorje as the Karmapa.

THE GREAT ESCAPE
From Tsurphu Monastery to Dharamsala, it was a five-day journey the Karmapa himself has described as daring. Then 14, he reportedly travelled for days on foot and in various other ways including horseback, helicopter, train and taxi to reach Dharamsala on January 5, 2000. Disbelief had surrounded his claims at the time; some even doubted his age. He was given refugee status by India in 2001.

FINANCES
Tai Situ Rinpoche, the Karmapa’s mentor, has remained under the scanner for allegedly building an “empire”. The latest seizure has led to the arrest of the monastery’s treasurer Shakti Lama, with whom the Karmapa is close.

Sources said leaders in the monastery trust have been trying to build an empire locally because legal tangles have virtually ended any hope of a return to Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the 16th Karmapa.

Another controversy around the monastery concerns a move to buy 25 acres in Kangra district. Under the state’s laws, an “outsider” can buy land only with government permission, but the trust reportedly made benaami deals, allegedly with foreign funding, to buy land for two palatial complexes for the Karmapa.

Before the state police’s latest raids, there had been another controversial cash recovery, one of Rs 1 crore. The money was being brought to Himachal Pradesh from Manju-ka-Tila, apparently to clear dues for a land deal of Rs 5 crore.

Intelligence officials, the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax authorities are probing if last week’s recovery is part of a Chinese plan to fund Indian monasteries in Jammu & Kashmir and other states, sources said.

DENIAL & SUPPORT
The Karmapa denies any Chinese connection, while the office of the Dalai Lama has vouched for the fact that the Karmapa has nothing to do with the financial dealings of the monastery. “There are others handling such affairs,” says the spokesman for the Tibetan government-in-exile. Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the government-in-exile, says, “The Karmapa is a respected Buddhist monk and cannot be a Chinese agent.”

RESTRICTIONS
The Karmapa has to take permission from the Government of India if he wants to move out of the monastery. Sources in the Tibetan parliament-in-exile said clearance must also be taken from the Office of the Dalai Lama if the Karmapa wants to leave the monastery.

The Karmapa was allowed to travel to the United States in 2008. That trip was closely monitored by the Indian authorities. Last year, the Centre denied him permission to visit the US. It also reduced his security cover last year. He has not been allowed to go to Rumtek either. Last month, the Karmapa held a Kagyu annual prayer function at Bodhgaya monastery; followers from all over the world attended.

FOLLOWING
In spite of the constant monitoring, the Karmapa has grown in stature over the years, and so has his influence among followers of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism across the world. These include Hollywood stars such as Richard Gere and Tom Cruise; when in India, they visit the Dalai Lama as well as the Karmapa. There is, however, a growing feeling that the latest seizure could dent the institution’s reputation.

DALAI LAMA & KARMAPA
The Dalai Lama and the Karmapa both work in Dharamsala but rarely meet. The Kagyu sect headed by the Karmapa is one of four, the others being Nyingma, Sakya and Gelug. The Dalai Lama is the overall head of all four sects, an MP of the government-in-exile says.

Only at certain programmes and special occasions do the two leaders meet. Tsering, the Speaker of the government-in-exile, says, “Yes, the Dalai Lama and Karmapa do not meet too often… they follow different schools of thought, but that does not mean there is any disagreement between them.”

Article – 7

http://english.samaylive.com/nation-news/676481673/dalai-lama-defends-karmapa.html

Candlelight procession in Karmapa’s support

The Tibetans highest spiritual leader Dalai Lama defended the Karmapa, calling him a most-revered monk. While , the 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee continued to remain under the scanner for his alleged Chinese links. “The money must have come from his disciples. But keeping the money with him sends wrong signals,” he said.

In Shimla, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the matter was serious although the Karmapa’s office had denied any link with China.

Dalai Lama told that Karmapa has Chinese followers and has received donations from them.Nearly Rs.70 million worth of unaccounted foreign and Indian currency recovered from the premises of the Gyuto Tantric University and Monastery near here that the Karmapa is heading.

The Himachal Pradesh police questioned Karmapa and his secretary Gompu Tshering and recovered foreign currency worth Rs 4 lakh. Two officials of the Karmapa monastery have been taken into custody.

Hundreds of Tibetans and foreigners took out a candlelight procession to express solidarity with the spiritual head of the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who is in controversy after a large amount of unaccounted money was recovered from him.

Dharamsala businessman and hotelier K.P. Bhardwaj, who is believed to have struck a land deal with the Karmapa’s trust, and D.K. Dhar, manager of the Corporation Bank in Ambala in Haryana, have been arrested and are being questioned following the recovery of unaccounted foreign and Indian currency worth nearly Rs.70 million from the monastery.

“Bhardwaj was arrested as an unaccounted Rs.1 crore was seized from two of his men on Jan 25 at Mehatpur in Una district,” Inspector General of Police P.L. Thakur told .

“The Karmapa is not a Chinese spy. He is a revered monk,” one of the participants said. She said allegations made against the Karmapa were baseless.Followers said that they stand by Karmapa. He is no Chinese spy and said people are worried and that followers make offerings in their currencies

Tibetan activist Tenzin Tsundue said the Tibetan people across the world are deeply hurt by the baseless allegations of Karmapa’s Chinese links.

According to him, he has been living in exile receiving his traditional Buddhist education.

The Tibetan NGOs like the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA), the Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet, the National Democratic Party of Tibet, and the Students for a Free Tibet also came out in support of the Karmapa.

A police team, led by Una’s Additional Superintendent of Police K.G.Kapoor, arrived Sunday noon at the monastery near here to question the Karmapa about the recovery of unaccounted foreign and Indian currency from his premises. He was quizzed Friday as well.

The Karmapa’s sister and other close aides were also being questioned, officials said.

Soon after the Karmapa was questioned, a spokesperson for the Tibetan religious leader denied allegations against him, stressing he was not a Chinese agent.

“The Karmapa has not done anything wrong to undermine and harm the interests of India,” Karma Topden, the spokesperson, told

Article – 8

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1142446.ece

China denies Karmapa links, Tibetans express anger

Accusation shows “India is keeping its mistrustful attitude toward China”, says official

The Chinese government has denied suggestions that it had links with the 17th Karmapa, whose monastery was recently raided in Dharamshala, saying the accusation reflected the Indian government’s mistrust towards China.

An official of the Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, which is in charge of minority and religious affairs, said media reports in India were inaccurate.

“The speculation by India’s media, regarding the matter of the Karmapa as a Chinese agent or spy, shows that India is keeping its mistrustful attitude toward China,” Xu Zhitao, an official at the department, told the State-run Global Times newspaper on Sunday.

Voices in the Tibetan community here, including one prominent writer, also expressed anger on Monday at the allegations that the revered Karmapa was a Chinese spy, hitting out at Indian authorities’ handling of the recent investigation into his monastery’s finances.

Nearly $1.6 million in foreign currencies was found following a raid in a monastery in Dharamshala. Representatives of the Karmapa, who is the head of the Kagyu sect and one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most important leaders, said the money was from donations from his followers. They have denied Indian media reports which claimed that the money, which included notes in Chinese Yuan as well as other curriences, was an indication of the Karmapa’s ties to the Chinese government.

The Karmapa is a widely revered figure among Tibetans in China — perhaps second only to the Dalai Lama, who is the head of the Gelugpa sect and Tibetan Buddhism’s most important figure.

The Dalai Lama has also indicated his support to the Karmapa, calling for a thorough investigation. He said “some negligence”, rather than a political conspiracy, was likely behind the issue.

Allegations “totally irresponsible”

Tsering Woeser, a prominent Tibetan writer and poet, told The Hindu on Monday the allegations, whether made by the Indian government or State police, were “totally irresponsible”.

“How can currency being found be proof that he is a spy?” she asked.

“Karmapa is the spiritual leader for all people of Chinese origin, home and abroad,” said Ms. Woeser, who has been a vocal critic of China’s religious policies. “It is legitimate that he will get donations in Chinese currency. The government in India, a country which has so many religious leaders, should know that this amount is not even really that large.”

She said she was “deeply hurt” by the allegations. “I am sure many Tibetans are too,” she added.

Ogyen Trinley Dorje (25), the 17th Karmapa, was born in Qamdo county in Tibet Autonomous Region. Recognised in 1992, he was the first “Living Buddha” whose appointment was confirmed and approved by the Communist Party of China, which took control of Tibet in 1951. Dorje left Tibet for India in 1999, arriving in Dharamshala.

The Karmapa has been seen as a key figure in the future of Tibetan Buddhism, and as a possible successor to the 75 year-old Dalai Lama as a leader of the Tibetan movement. The 11th Panchen Lama is the second highest-ranked leader after the Dalai Lama in the Gelugpa sect. His appointment by the Chinese government has, however, not been accepted by many Tibetans.

While the Chinese government often criticises the Dalai Lama as a “splittist”, it has generally refrained from commenting on the Karmapa. The Chinese media rarely discusses either the Karmapa or his departure to India.

On Sunday, Mr. Xu said: “Karmapa left China in 1999 for the purpose of religious behaviors [sic], just as he claimed.”

Ms. Woeser countered claims that China’s silence suggested its tacit support for the Tibetan leader. “Karmapa is completely different from the Dalai Lama,” she said. “He is a spiritual leader without political power, so the Chinese government has no reason to point its finger at him.”

Article – 9

http://news.oneindia.in/2011/01/31/chidambaram-vexed-over-chinese-spy-karmapa-aid0101.html

Chidambaram vexed over ‘Chinese spy’ Karmapa

New Delhi, Jan 31: Citing the controversy over Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, home minister P Chidambaram for the first time on Monday, Jan 31 broke his silence.

Chidambaram stated, “Investigations are underway in Karmapa case. No conclusion drawn whether he is a Chinese agent or not.”

Indian govt looking into Karmapa’s karma

However, China on the same day denied Karmapa’s any connection with the country and also added, “The doubt showed India’s ‘mistrustful attitude’ towards Beijing.”

China’s government official on Jan 31 claimed, “The speculation by India’s media, regarding the matter of the Karmapa as a Chinese agent or spy, shows that India is keeping its mistrustful attitude toward China.”

The controversy raised when Himachal Pradesh police seized foreign currency worth Rs 6.5 crore from a transit home of 17th Karmapa near Dharamsala on Jan 27.

Foreign money seized at Dalai Lama heir’s home

The 17th Karampa is the possible successor of Dalai Lama.

Following the exposing of the hawala scam, Karampa has been suspected to be a Chinese link helping Beijing control Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

OneIndia News
(With inputs from PTI)

Article – 10

http://www.indiavideo.org/news/india/2011/01/31/devotees-stand-by-karmapa,-throng-monastery-23606.php

Devotees stand by Karmapa, throng monastery

A day after Indian investigation agencies questioned him, a sea of Buddhist monks and devotees, including foreigners, turned up at the Gyuto Monastery near here Monday to express solidarity with the 17th Karmapa.

The Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the only major Tibetan monk reincarnate recognised by both the Dalai Lama and China, is caught in a controversy after nearly Rs.7 crore worth of unaccounted foreign and Indian currency was recovered last week from the monastery.

‘The devotees are back to the monastery to have an audience and seek his blessings. Since early morning there has been an unprecedented rush. Normally such a huge gathering is seen on special occasions,’ a security personnel at the monastery said.

With beads in their hands, the devotees were seen inside the massive complex praying for the well-being of their spiritual leader.

‘Today I have specially come to stand by the Karmapa. He is not a Chinese agent. It’s a false propaganda. He is here only to enlighten his devotees and preach peace, non-violence and Buddhism,’ Christina, a devout from Switzerland, told IANS.

Mobiles and cameras were not allowed in the monastery due to security reasons.

A police team, led by Una’s Additional Superintendent of Police K.G. Kapoor, arrived at the monastery Sunday to question the Karmapa about the unaccounted cash, including Rs.70 lakh in Chinese currency and over $600,000, which has raised questions about his links with China. He was quizzed Jan 28 as well.

‘We stand by the Karmapa. We also expressed solidarity with him by participating in a candlelight procession Sunday night,’ follower Tenzin Tsering said.

Officials of the monastery said the Karmapa has a private audience day every Monday. ‘Today also he had an audience with the gathering in the morning as usual,’ they said.

The Karmapa also meets the public every Wednesday and Saturday.

Since the controversy erupted, his aides have sought to avoid his interaction with the mediapersons.

State investigating agencies have denied reports of his house arrest.

‘We have full respect for the spiritual head. He is free to meet the devotees and perform religious duties. There is no restriction on his movements within permissible limits,’ Additional Director General of Police S.R. Mardi told IANS.

The Karmapa is allowed to move freely within a 10-12 km radius of the Gyuto Monastery. Beyond that, he has to take police permission.

‘If he has to visit McLeodganj (headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile), he has to take permission as it’s more than 12 km from the monastery. This norm has been prevalent since before the controversy,’ he added.

With news channels pointing a finger of suspicion at the Karmapa, most Tibetan exiles settled in McLeodganj have boycotted the channels, saying ‘they are hurting our sentiments’.

‘We have stopped watching the news channels as they are wrongly projecting our spiritual guru. It seems they (the channels) are working under the guise of some foreign agencies,’ said Lhasang Yeshi, a shopkeeper at McLeodganj.

Hundreds of Tibetans and foreigners took out a candlelight procession here Sunday evening to express solidarity with the Karmapa.

Tibetan NGOs like the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA), the Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet, the National Democratic Party of Tibet, and the Students for a Free Tibet have also come out in support of the Karmapa.

An important institution in the Tibetan religious set up, the Karmapa is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu sect, one of the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the richest.

In the Tibetan religious hierarchy, he is considered the third most important Tibetan religious head after the institutions of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama.

The present Karmapa is the 17th reincarnation of the sect’s founder. He mysteriously escaped to India January 2000 with a few close aides from the Tsurphu monastery near Lhasa.

The headquarters of the Kagyu sect or the Karmapa is in the Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, set up by the 16th Karmapa. The government of India has banned the entry of the 17th Karmapa to the monastery.

Article – 11

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/national/karmapa-%E2%80%98owns%E2%80%99-400-properties-043

Karmapa ‘owns’ 400 properties

Jan. 30: The probe by the Central agencies investigating the Chinese link and recovery of foreign currency from exiled Tibetan leader 17th Karmapa’s Gyuto Tantric monastery has revealed that followers of the Tibetan spiritual leader have allegedly acquired 400 benami properties, worth several crores in Himachal Pradesh.

Agencies, which questioned the Karmapa on Saturday, have also found credible evidence revealing spiritual leader’s alleged plan to open “China-friendly cultural centres” in different parts of the country, especially in northern region.

“Officials of the Central agencies are trying to find out the reason behind Karmapa’s plan to open such centres across the country. His followers are also being questioned by the probe agencies in this regard”, sources said.

Initial probe by the agencies have revealed that Karmapa’s followers acquired more than 400 benami properties (especially land) in Himachal Pradesh.

Some land has been allegedly purchased in the name of local farmers of Himachal Pradesh. The reasons behind such purchases are being ascertained, sources said.

Videos

Karmapa money trail: Dalai Lama backs probe into ‘possible negligence’

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/karmapa-money-trail-dalai-lama-backs-probe-into-possible-negligence-82365

on youtube ( shorted clip just focusing on His Holiness the Dalai Lama)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVWApN_sSdg

Jan 31st, 2011- His Holiness Karmapa giving public audience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdSpd1P_KS8

Karmapa Candle Light Procession in Sikkim on 31stJan, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9SmKQQLiZM

Other News Agencies

Article – 1

Tibetan Community Unite in Support of 17th Karmapa

London: Tibet’s spiritual and political leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has come out in open to support 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee. “Karmapa has been receiving offerings from disciples from all different parts of world including China. The money is the sum of those donations. This is not a reason to question his credential”, His Holiness said.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his solidarity with His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, following a raid by Indian police at his monastery, Gomp Tsering. The police seized Rs 7 crore worth of donations and arrested a senior aide to the Karmapa, Rabjaychojan (also known as Shakti Lama). The money seized was in a variety of currencies, including a large amount of Indian rupees and Chinese yuan, which has led to speculation of illegal activities by the police.

Asked about the seizure, Karma Chunyappa, Deputy General Secretary of the Karmapa, asserted that the financial dealings of the monastery were transparent.

“Our lineage and His Holiness the Karmapa enjoy the love, trust and faith of millions across the world. We have a rich history of public service made possible through financial dealings that are entirely transparent. We will certainly answer all the questions that the press and public have but for now we request you to allow us to concentrate and comply fully with the investigations that are underway,” the Karmapa Office of Administration said in their statement.

Penpa Tsering, speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has also expressed his solidarity with the Karmapa during these troubling times. He said that the money recovered was collected through huge donations offered by the followers of all over world and such offerings could not be refused as being a Buddhist spiritual leader. He said that the trust was not aware about the legal implications of keeping foreign currency with them so the Trust would now seek legal services from experts. He denied that there was any conspiracy angle in the case. The issues arising out of this matter to denigrate the reputation of Gyalwang Karmapa are completely baseless.

The Indian press, both printed and televised have used this incident to accuse the Karmapa of having links with the Chinese government and today the Karmapa’s office issued a statement “categorically” refuting these allegations, calling them “grossly speculative”.

“We categorically deny having any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese government,” the statement said, adding, “any suggestion that these offerings were to be used for illegal purposes is libelous”. The police have already questioned the Karmapa, along with many of his aides and followers.

An aide of the Karmapa, who did not wish to be named, said the money was from the monk’s followers and that he had no role in its management. “All this money has been accumulated over the years, offered by devotees, followers of the Karmapa. The Karamapa’s officials have clear-and-up to date records of the funds,” he told AFP.

Tibetans in exile and Buddhist followers around the world have been visibly disturbed by the latest news, and say that the media speculations against their religious leader being a Chinese spy is “ridiculous” and unnecessary “sensationalism”.

“We Tibetans are not traitors as some television channels are trying to portray; we have immense faith in our religious leaders from whom we learn virtues, not sins. And portraying our leader as a Chinese spy and traitor while the investigation is still going on is not responsible journalism,” said Thupten Tsering, a monk at a local monastery in Dharamshala.

The investigation is on going and as subsequent raids and police question are set to continue, there seems little let up to the shell-shocked Tibetan community.

Article – 2

Allegations Against 17th Karmapa are Totally Baseless

Dharamshala: Addressing the press conference which held on Saturday (29 January), the speaker of the Tibetan parliament in exile Mr. Penpa Tsering to clarify, saying that “as some of the Indian journalists raise serious doubts about the money’s source, we got the opportunity to clarify them. We clearly stated that the allegations of Gyalwang Karmapa as an “agent of Chinese government” and “possessing money through illegal deals” are totally baseless.”

The following is transcript of Tibetan Parliament’s Statement on Gyalwang Karmapa. “We would like to thank journalists from the Tibetan radio services and other media organisations for attending today’s press conference at such a short notice.

There seems to be different speculations in the Tibetan society on the issue of related with Gyuto Monastery of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje. More importantly, we can not say what kind of news has spread inside Tibet. So in order to convey clear information to Tibet, we have organised this press conference particularly with reporters from the Tibetan media organisations.

On hearing about the issue yesterday, the Standing Committee of the Parliament had expressed deep concern as the members met in the afternoon of 28 January. As we discuss how the issue has originated, it was agreed to seek an audience with Gyalwang Karmapa. If it was not convenient to meet him, we thought it would be helpful to get a clear information by meeting with other leading officials of the monastery. Accordingly, Speaker Penpa Tsering accompanied by Geshe Thubten Phelgye, Geshe Monlam Tharchin and Lopon Sonam Tenphel of the Standing Committee visited the monastery at 3:30 PM. Many journalists were present at the monastery. We first met the monastic officials. Later, during our audience with Gyalwang Karmapa, we found him completely at ease, which clearly shows that he has nothing to do with any wrongdoing. We, the Standing Committee, conveyed our deep concern to him and to extend whatever cooperation if needed be to avert the occurrence of such issues which bring disrepute to Gyalwang Karmapa. The main objective of our visit was to show our solidarity with Gyalwang Karmapa.

During the audience, Gyalwang Karmapa said he has no knowledge about the issue since he does not interfere in such matters. His statement reinforces the confirmation of our belief that he has no personal connection with the issue. This has been our firm belief.

We have a system in our monastery based on which we can explain the source of the current amount of money. We firmly belief and we can say in definite terms that these come as religious offerings from the follower and devotees. As the Indian journalists raise serious doubts about the money’s source, we got the opportunity to clarify them. We clearly stated that the allegations of Gyalwang Karmapa as an “agent of Chinese government” and “possessing money through illegal deals” are totally baseless. Through this press conference, we want to convey this information to the Tibetan people living inside Tibet.

As far as Gyalwang Karmapa is concerned, he put his life at risk by coming into exile from Tibet at a tender age. During his stay at Gyuto Monastery in India, he has to live under the control of the Indian security officials and he has no freedom to move freely as he wishes to. This is the fact that we all know. All his programmes are being made under the supervision of the Indian government. Those who are seeking his audience have to obtain prior permission from the Indian police authorities. For instance, we were also frisked before our meeting with him yesterday. There is no reason to protest since the security officials are carrying out their duty. So the police have knowledge about every detail of the offerings made to Gyalwang Karmapa and it is not that they know nothing about the matter. Owing to the remarkable deeds of the Karmapa lineage, it enjoys the trust and faith of followers and devotees from across the world such as Singapore, Thailand, and western countries and in Tibet who make offerings. In our society, he is one of the spiritual head of schools of Tibetan Buddhism, highly revered and respected by the Tibetan people. Personally, he has been concentrating on his study, promotion of Buddhism and world peace and protection of environment, thereby making great service to Tibet’s political and spiritual cause. Hence there is absolutely no need to doubt and there exist no ground for that to happen. We wish to make this clear.

Regarding the monastery’s financial management, Gyalwang Karmapa does not make detail inquiry about what and how much offerings are being presented to him on the throne by the devotees. “I do not interfere in these matters”, he told us yesterday. All the financial matters are managed by the administrative staff. Their lack of knowledge about legal procedures has led to the negligence in maintaining proper account of the money. On the matter which is not in line with the country’s law, we have to respect the result of the ongoing investigation being carried out by the Indian government. Otherwise, issues arising out of this matter to denigrate the reputation of Gyalwang Karmapa are completely baseless.

The Central Tibetan Administration and the Kashag are making efforts on its part to extend whatever necessary help and cooperation to Gyalwang Karmapa. Similarly, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile firmly support the truth of the matter and we are ready to offer whatever necessary guidance and co-operation until the issues become clear”

Article – 3

http://news.wittysparks.com/article/08zu4XO2DfaXE

Karmapa story: Right intentions, bad accounting

The young, extremely bright Karmapa should teach his staff proper accounting ways, advises Claude Arpi

It made headlines for ‘news breaking’ channels when the Himachal Pradesh police seized foreign and Indian currency worth Rs 4-5 crore, stuffed in four large metal boxes, from a room of the Gyuto Monastery, the seat of Ugyen Trinley Dorje, the seventeenth Karmapa. The monastery is located near Dharamsala, the seat of the Dalai Lama and his Tibetan government-in-exile.

Shakti Lama, a person working in the monastery, was arrested following the police raids which came a day after Rs 1 crore in cash was found in a vehicle intercepted in Una district bordering Himachal Pradesh (a Dharamsala-based businessman, KP Bhardwaj, has been arrested in connection with the cash and an alleged land deal with the Karmapa’s Trust).

Soon after the raids, HP Director General of Police DS Manhas declared, “The police have nothing to say about the institution. We are only concerned about the illegal cash recovered after the searches.”

Because the currency notes seized from the monastery were from nearly 20 countries, including China, the media started speculating, “Is the Dalai Lama’s successor a Chinese agent in India?”

Article – 4

http://english.sina.com/china/2011/0131/358266.html

China denies Karmapa spy reports

A Chinese official Sunday denied Indian media reports that Ugyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa of the Karma Kagyu sect, could be part of a Chinese plan to control monasteries along the Sino-Indian border.

Xu Zhitao, an official at the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Com-mittee, told the Global Times Sunday that “the speculation by India’s media, regard-ing the matter of the Karmapa as a Chinese agent or spy, shows that India is keeping its mistrustful attitude toward China.”

Additionally, thousands of devotees thronged Gyuto Monastery near Dharam-shala on Sunday to show solidarity with the Karmapa, according to the Times of India.

One of the Karmapa’s German follow-ers said, “We stand by Karmapa. He is no Chinese spy.”

The Times of India had reported that Indian intelligence agencies reportedly said the Karmapa may be a Chinese “plant,” after Indian police found a large number of foreign currencies, including Chinese yuan, at his monastery Friday. The curren-cy recovered belongs to about 26 countries, including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Germany and the US.

The Karmapa was questioned on Sunday for the second time in connection with nearly $1.5 million worth of unaccounted foreign currency in his monastery. The questioning was ended by the Karmapa’s claims that the money was given by devo-tees, said a report on indiablooms.com.

The news has pushed Indian media to link the terms “agent” and “spy” to China.

OneIndia News also reported that “The foreign currency seized in the raid is Chi-nese yuan, linking the Karmapa’s apparent clandestine relationship with China,” and said the connection between the Karmapa and China is “sinister.”

Xu said, “The 17th Karmapa Living Bud-dha is the first reincarnated Living Buddha confirmed and approved by the Central Government of the People’s Republic of China after the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951.”

The reincarnation of holy men is a unique form of succession in Tibetan Bud-dhism, which has long been recognized and respected.

“Karmapa left China in 1999 for the purpose of religious behaviors, just as he claimed,” Xu added.

Meanwhile, the Karmapa’s office also dismissed on Saturday the alleged Chinese links, saying in a statement, “The cash in question under the current investigation by police is offerings received for charitable purposes from local and international disci-ples from many different countries wishing to support His Holiness Karmapa’s various charitable activities.”

This is not the first time that India’s me-dia has linked “spies” with China. Earlier this month, three Chinese citizens were arrested in India on suspicion of money laundering and spying on border security. But the Chinese foreign ministry said they were actually tourists who had mistakenly crossed the border from Nepal.

Article – 5

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/tibetan-buddhists-in-shock-at-claims-spiritual-leader-is-a-chinese-spy-2199022.html

Tibetan Buddhists in shock at claims spiritual leader is a Chinese spy

The exiled Tibetan Buddhist community is in turmoil at the questioning of one of its most important religious leaders by Indian police after large sums of Chinese currency were found at his monastery, forcing him to deny claims he is an “agent of Beijing”.

Police in northern India interviewed Ugyen Thinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa and Tibetan Buddhism’s third most important figure, after approximately £480,000 of cash in two dozen denominations was found at his Gyuto monastery in Dharamsala.

Police have arrested a number of the Karmapa’s aides and are currently investigating what they believe may be an illegal attempted land purchase.

The Karmapa told police the money was donated by supporters. “All our dealings across the world are honest and completely transparent – anything else would be contrary to the Buddhist principles that we live by,” his office said.

But there are indications investigators are not satisfied with the answers given by the 25-year-old. “We are not happy with his replies and he is likely to be questioned again,” said KG Kapoor, the officer heading the inquiry.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Tibetan Buddhist community in exile. Even the Dalai Lama, its most important leader, has been drawn in. “There should be a thorough investigation into the cash dealings of the Karmapa as he is an important Lama,” he said.

Many among the 200,000-strong community of exiled Tibetans in India and beyond are distraught. In Majnu-ka-Tila, a narrow maze of dusty alleyways that is home to thousands of Tibetan refugees in Delhi, three grey-haired women were openly weeping yesterday afternoon. “We don’t believe he is a Chinese spy,” sobbed one woman, Taushi, who fled from Tibet in 1959. “We have not been able to sleep since we heard this. Food has had no taste.”

Controversy has followed the Karmapa since he escaped from Tibet in 2000 and crossed into India. While he was widely acknowledged as the successor to – and reincarnation of – the 16th Karmapa, not everyone supported his claim, and some backed another candidate. As he was recognised by China, his supporters have often had to defend him against whispers that he has links to the authorities in Beijing.

But the profile of the Karmapa, whose dramatic escape from Tibet, first to Nepal and then to India, took place when he was just 14, has steadily grown. While he is from the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism rather than the Gelug school of the Dalai Lama, many have suggested the Karmapa may be able to fill the political void within the Tibet autonomy movement that will be created upon the death of the 75-year-old Nobel prize winner.

Last summer, when the Dalai Lama celebrated his 75th birthday, the Karmapa, who owns an iPod and plays video games, sat next to him. In 2008 he visited the US, and last summer he was due to visit Europe, but was denied a visa by India.

Last Thursday’s raid at Gyuto followed the arrest of two Indians a day earlier who were carrying a large sum of cash and who told police they had received the money from a monk in order to buy land in Himachal Pradesh, the state in which Dharamsala is located.

It may yet transpire that the monastery has nothing more than fallen foul of regulations in the state which prohibits outsiders from buying land without special permission. Within the Tibetan community there is criticism of speculation in the Indian media that the Karmapa had received money from China. Yeshi Phuntsokm, a member of the Tibetan parliament in exile, said: “They are creating a problem for such a special leader and for the people.”

Last night, the office of the Karmapa issued a statement which said it was well known he was trying to build a permanent monastery that would serve as a residence. It said the project was subject to approval by the Indian government. “We categorically deny having any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese government,” it added.

“The Karmapa has a deep affection for the people of this great country of India where he has been practising his faith for years.”

Tibet’s influential figures

Dalai Lama

He claims to be “a simple monk, no more, no less,” but the Dalai Lama is a hugely influential figure, loathed by the Beijing government as a dangerous splittist and adored by the Tibetan people as a god-king. The Nobel Laureate was forced to flee Tibet on foot and on horseback in 1959 in a daring escape after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. There are fears that a power vacuum will arise upon his death. He has no obvious successor, but one of those often mooted is the Karmapa Lama.

Karmapa Lama

The Karmapa Lama, the third highest lama, escaped from Chinese control in Tibet to India in 1999 and is being coached for a wider role in the movement. His position has also been recognised by Beijing, which could make him an acceptable compromise candidate if there is a succession battle. He belongs to the “Black Hat” lineage, named after the crown of that colour that the Karmapa wears, and his influence is strong among young Tibetans and Buddhists around the world.

Panchen Lama

Gyaltsen Norbu is the Chinese Communist Party’s choice for Panchen Lama, the second-in-command in Tibetan Buddhism. He has long been favoured by Beijing as a possible successor to the Dalai Lama. He is a delegate of China’s top legislative advisory body, and has praised Chinese rule in Tibet. The original 11th Panchen Lama, Gendun Choekyi Nyima, was annointed by the Dalai Lama. He was kidnapped by the Chinesegovernment in 1995, and has not been seen since.

Article – 6

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12321204

Indian police ‘question’ Karmapa Lama over money haul

Police in India have questioned the Karmapa Lama after a large amount of foreign currency was recovered at his monastery in Dharamsala town.

Investigations are on to determine whether the nearly $1.6m in over two dozen currencies constituted a violation of the country’s foreign exchange rules.

The Karmapa’s aides say the money came from donations to the monastery.

Two people have been held in connection with the incident.

The 25-year-old exiled monk, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is tipped as a possible compromise candidate to succeed the ageing Dalai Lama.

He fled Tibet in 1999 and arrived in Dharamsala in India, the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

The Dalai Lama said there should be a “thorough investigation” into the matter.

“Karmapa has many devotees including from China. Some money would have naturally been received by him. There has been some negligence. Better now have a thorough investigation,” the Dalai Lama was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.

The police said that the “unaccounted” money recovered from the monastery offices included Chinese yuan.

Reports said the Karmapa had told the investigating agencies that he had received the money in donations from followers and that it was being used to purchase land for a monastery.

Dharamsala police officer KG Kapoor told the AFP news agency that the Karmapa “told us that he was not involved in any matters involving book-keeping or accounts”.

The police have arrested two people, including a Dharmasala-based hotelier and a bank manager, in connection with the incident.

Article – 7

http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2953&Itemid=404

The Karmapa and the Cash

Huge foreign currency seizure from a Dharamsala monastery puts Tibet’s 3rd highest lama in question

The discovery of more than US$750,000 in foreign currency equivalents in the administration office of the 17th Karmapa Lama, Tibetan Buddhism’s third highest religious leader, threatens to tarnish what heretofore has been a heroic golden story and could put the future leadership of the Tibetan religion in doubt.

Many see the Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, as a living Buddha as well as the next world Buddhist leader and political successor to the Dalai Lama. The latter defended the 25-year-old lama, telling reporters in Bangalore that “The Karmapa is an important lama, a spiritual leader. People from different parts of the world including many Chinese, come to seek his blessing and offer money.” However, the Tibetan leader said, “The foreign and Indian currency should have been deposited in a bank and not kept in cash at the monastery.”

Officials in Dharamsala held a press conference Sunday to say the money, in nearly two dozen different foreign currencies, was given by the Karmapa’s followers in connection with a land deal with an Indian businessman. Reportedly a Dharamsala-based businessman is being questioned after Rs10 million (US$217,800) was found in his possession. An official said the money was a payment made by the Karmapa’s trust to buy land near Dharamsala. However, even if the money came from followers, there are questions whether the foreign currency violates India’s foreign currency laws.

Indian intelligence officials quizzed the Karmapa, for hours, seeking details of the source of the foreign currency. Reports have emerged that he was questioned over whether he has connections with the Chinese government as a large part of the currency seized was in Chinese yuan, in wads of successive serial numbers.

Despite his escape from China in 1999 and his subsequent acceptance by the Dalai Lama as the true Karmapa Lama, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee has always been suspect to a portion of the Tibetan Buddhist community. Another monk, Trinley Thaye Dorje, 28, was enthroned independently as the 17th Karmapa Lama by a minority of the Karma Kagyu monasteries and lamas.

In December 1999 the then-14-year-old Dorjee, who was anointed by the Chinese government as the true Karmapa, pretended to go into seclusion but instead slipped out a window of the Tsurpu Monastery in Tibet with a handful of attendants. He began a daring 1,450-kilometer winter trip across some of the most forbidding terrain on the planet by foot, horseback, train and helicopter to Dharamsala, making world headlines and embarrassing Beijing. He was given refugee status by India in 2001.

Skeptics in India have continued to question whether Dorjee could possibly have managed such a spectacular escape without the help of the Chinese government and have alleged that he is actually a Chinese spy. Thus the allegations of the seizure of the foreign currency have rocked not only Buddhist followers across the globe but also much of India, which in recent months has been hit by a series of black money scandals.

The Indian press has had a field day with the story, with news channels running headlines asking “Karmapa could be a Chinese agent?”

In the two-day search operation led by the Indian state police at the Gyuto Tantric monastery, the temporal base of the Karmapa, his close aide and accountant, Rabjaychojan alias Shakti Lama, was arrested and placed in police custody. Gompu Tsering, his secretary, was also questioned. At the time of the raid, The Karmapa was in the monastery at the time.

“The raid came in connection with the arrest of two Indians on Wednesday at the Una border of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, recovering Rs10 million in cash, said Santosh Patial, a senior district policeman. “Upon investigation the two said they had received the money from the monk, an Indian national, to buy a plot of land near Dharamsala. The cash was allegedly brought to the state to clear some payments in connection with a land deal involving a Tibetan institution,”

The Karmapa’s officials, under tight security, were all tightlipped. After 48 hours they officially gave a statement upon consulting the Karmapa’s lawyers saying that “We would like to categorically state that the allegations being leveled against the Karmapa and his administration are grossly speculative and without foundation in the truth….We categorically deny having any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese government.

“The cash in question under the current investigation by the police is offerings received for charitable purposes from local and international disciples from many different countries wishing to support His Holiness’ various charitable activities. Any suggestion that these offerings were to be used for illegal purposes in libelous,” the statement added.

The Tibetan government-in exile also appears to be continuing to back the Karmapa amid the rampant media speculation. “There is no basis in media speculation linking the Karmapa Lama with the Chinese government,” said Penpa Tsering, the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile. “Both the Tibetan Parliament and the Kashag (the advisory board of the government in exile) stand behind the Karmapa and have been extending all necessary support to come out with the truth about the matter.”

At the Gyuto Monastery where the Karmapa resides, large numbers of Tibetan and Indian Buddhists have come to show their solidarity with what they consider to be the future head of their religion. Sonam Tenzing, a young monk who lives in the Gyuto monastery, told Asia Sentinel that “probing the money is very much legitimate if Indian officials think there is some foul play but Indian media blaming the Karmapa as a traitor is simply not acceptable.”

The Indian government at New Delhi has for far not reacted. However, some media agencies have reportedly quoted an investigating officer as saying: “Sources say that there are enough indications that the Karmapa was in regular touch with the Chinese authorities to help Beijing control Buddhist monasteries from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. The huge recovery, including 11 lakh (110 million) Chinese yuan, substantiates what we have always suspected. The Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax authorities have been asked to probe this.”

That is regarded as specious media hype in Dharamsala. Despite backing from Buddhists across the globe, nonetheless the mystery revolving around the Karmapa is deepening, with both Tibetans and Indians keeping a close watch. Even if he is absolved, however, the question remains over how a living Buddha could have amassed so much temporal cash, and why.

Saransh Sehgal is a writer based in Dharamsala, India

Article – 8

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iKqYdDNz4nJLRHGbGfKcJoDJk2rg?docId=CNG.be9a7e72e2698009c25ed33254f0a776.4f1

Dalai Lama urges probe into cash found at monastery

NEW DELHI — The Dalai Lama has called for a thorough probe into the discovery of almost a million dollars in foreign currency at the monastery of one of Tibet’s most senior religious leaders.

Police in northern India, where the Tibetan community in exile is based, have quizzed the Karmapa and arrested several aides over the cash which is mostly in US dollars but also in Chinese yuan and two dozen other currencies.

The Karmapa heads one of the four sects of Tibetan Buddhism and could emerge as a future spiritual leader of Tibet on the death of the 75-year-old Dalai Lama, who has said he might not be replaced.

“There should be a thorough investigation. He (the Karmapa) is an important Lama,” the Dalai Lama told reporters in Bangalore on Sunday, according to Indian media reports.

“Karmapa has many devotees including from China… some money would have naturally been received by him,” added the Nobel prize winner. “There has been some negligence. Better now have a thorough investigation.”

The Indian media, quoting unnamed security sources, have reported concerns that the Karmapa could be a Chinese stooge sent to India from Tibet to set up pro-Chinese monasteries.

The office of the Karmapa has dismissed the rumours as baseless and said the money is the result of years of accumulated donations. It has acknowledged negligence in its book-keeping.

Notes totalling $600,000, 1.2 million yuan ($180,000), 500,000 Hong Kong dollars ($64,000), 5.3 million Indian rupees ($115,000) were discovered at the monastery and other offices, police say.

On Sunday night, about two hundred people held a candlelit vigil in support of the the Karmapa at his Gyuto monastery in Dharamshala, where the Tibetan community in exile is based in India.

The Karmapa fled Tibet in 1999 as a 14-year-old because he said he was concerned that Beijing would force him to turn against the Dalai Lama, who has acted as a father figure for him in Dharamshala.

China regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist, and has sought to groom monks who would accept Tibet as an integral part of China and drop all claims for an independent state.

Book by Staunton author to be burned in India protest

source: http://augustafreepress.com/2011/02/04/book-by-staunton-author-to-be-burned-in-india-protest/

Posted on Feb 4, 2011 in Inside Staunton

A book on a power struggle among competing Buddhist factions in Tibet by a Staunton author will be the subject of a symbolic burning on Saturday in India.

The book, Buddha’s Not Smiling: Uncovering Corruption at the Heart of Tibetan Buddhism Today, by author Erik Curren, tells the story of Ogyen Trinley, the second most famous exiled Tibetan lama after the Dalai Lama. The book burning is being organized by followers of Trinley, who is under investigation in India and has long been rumored to be a spy for the Chinese government.

“As a Tibetan Buddhist myself, I am disappointed by such discord among leaders who have vowed to spread compassion and relieve the suffering of all living beings. But this is a stark reminder that no religion has 100 percent perfect followers, even Buddhism,” Curren said.

A spokesman for the group organizing the protest in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim state in India’s northeastern Himalayan area, said the content of Curren’s book “is all cooked up, and facts have been twisted.”

“Joint Action Committee was never contacted for their comments, and everything mentioned in that book is all one-sided,” spokesman K. Sherab said.

Curren disputes that assertion. ”I did contact the Tibetan lama who provides their funding, Tai Situ Rinpoche, but he never responded to me. If he’d wanted me to talk to them, he would have arranged it,” Curren said.

Trinley, the focus of Buddha’s Not Smiling, has since the early 1990s been vying with another young lama for the title of Karmapa Lama, one of the top leaders in Tibetan Buddhism. Since fleeing China in 2000, Trinley has lived in northern India, where controversy around shady financial dealings and the young lama’s own secret relationship with the Chinese government has dogged him. Many in the Indian security services think he’s a spy for Beijing, Curren said.

Last week, the Indian government opened an investigation of Trinley, and in the course of their work, investigators found more than $1 million in cash stashed in the lama’s monastery. His officials have claimed that the money is small donations from devotees. But the cash is bricks of crisp bills in sequential order wrapped in plastic – clearly, according to Curren, a big payout from a wealthy source. And since many of the bills were Chinese currency, the Indians are worried that this lama may be a spy, paid off by China to foment unrest in border areas that are disputed between the two countries and in the past, caused two border wars.

Tomorrow’s protest will include denunciations of the Indian government and a burning of the Curren book, according to published reports.

“When we find corruption among religious leaders, we shouldn’t sweep it under the rug. We should root it out,” Curren said. “But we also shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. The world’s great faiths, including Buddhism, are a precious inheritance from previous generations and enlightened teachers and we should continue to treasure them.

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4 total comments on this postSubmit yours

Jampal

January 30, 2011

This just shows clearly the karma comes back. What goes around comes around. The Tibetan Govt always accuses Dorje Shugden people as being spies for China or backed up by China with zero proof. The Indian federal govt has proof of the money coming into Karmapa all in Yuan in the millions.

Now the Tibetan govt has to find another method to attack the Shugdenpas as calling their own ppl as traitors backed up by China is not going to work anymore. They should remain silent.

Sarah

February 17, 2011

The Karmapa spy issue will certainly take attention away from the Dorje Shugden issue. At least for a while. I agree with the Dalai Lama that all monetary donations should be kept in a trust. The trust fund should be completely transparent and should be used wisely for worthy causes like building monasteries and helping needy people. This will create good karma for Karmapa and the Tibetan people. It is obvious the administration of the Karmapa did not handle their financial resources in a proper manner.

Thaimonk

March 25, 2011

I find something interesting.

After the Karmapa money scandal, I don’t hear about him ‘succeeding’ the Dalai Lama anymore. Now it’s let’s elect our leaders.

Even the Dalai Lama is handing his power over to newly elected lay officials and not Karmapa although I don’t think Karmapa was ever part of the real equation of succession anyways. It was just speculation. Why would all sects follow Karmapa? Not viable.

Does anyone else notice after the big money scandal all has been quiet about Karmapa succession speculations

Dsfriend

March 30, 2011

Yup. Sure is quiet… like the calmness after a storm!

I thought the timing for the money scandal and handing over of power was just too close. Maybe just coincidence or was it staged to show it is time now to separate spiritual and political matters.

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