By Phurbu Thinley
Dharamsala/Kathamndu: June 26: The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje turned 22 today.
Unlike last year’s grand birthday celebration at the Gyuto Tantric Monastic University here in Dharamsala, this time the celebration is sensibly kept simple in view of the fact that this year is considered an obstacle year for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In a traditional Buddhist ceremony, Karmapa was presented a long life offering (Tenshug) by Ven. Tsering Phuntsok, Minister for Religion and Culture of Central Tibetan Administration here this morning.
Similar long-life offerings were also presented by Gyuto Monastery, where the Karmapa is currently housed for temporary residence; Tsurpu Labrang, the traditional seat of the Karmapa; Sherabling Monastery and Trilokpur Nunnery. The ceremonial long life offerings were followed offerings from public and blessing session.
As part of the birthday celebration, leaflets calling for abstinence from meat consumption were distributed at the Gyuto monastery.
In Kathmandu, the 22nd Birthday of 17th Karmapa was celebrated at Dasang Monastery in Boudha with thousands of Buddhists, including Tibetans and Nepal’s Himalayan ethnic groups like Sherpas, Tamangs, Gurungs, Nyeshangs, Yolmos coming together for the auspicious celebration.
In kathmandu also, the celebration was relatively smaller than last year’s. A magnificent snow lion dance performance by monks of the Benchen Monastery was the show piece of the day.
The celebration began in the morning with traditional Buddhist rituals.
The President of the Nepal Karmapa Service Society Mr. Purna Siddhi Sakya addressed the gathering about the importance of the celebration. He also briefed the gathering about the kind of social welfare activities being undertaken by the society, which includes academic sponsorship of orphan children.
Mr. Jigme La, Secretary of Tibet Office, Kathmandu in his address encouraged young people to take interest in understanding Buddhism at academic level. Various other dignitaries also addressed the gathering. Prayers were offered for the well being of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Karmapa.
Born on June 26, 1985 to a nomadic family in Bakor, in eastern Tibet, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorji is revered by Tibetans as the head of Kagyu Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. He escaped Tibet and reached the northern Indian town of of Dharamsala in 2000.
Dharamsala is home to the exile Tibetan leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and is the administrative centre of worldwide Tibetans in exile.
With additional reporting from Nepal by Tenzin Choephel, Phayul Correspondent
