His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa at the Conference in Mumbai (Bombay) 

Leaving for Mumbai 

More pictures of children 

Mumbai 

"HAHAHAHA!" "That was a good one!" " How many politicians does it take to screw up a conference?" 

lighting the lamp 

the speech on the second day

outside the conference building 

Peace march 

Paying respects to Babasaheb 

the prayer service at the cremation memorial site 

the award given to His Holiness 

Crouching Tiger / Hidden Agenda

Ok. I am so sorry it has taken me this long to post something about Mumbai (Bombay). Though, if you want the truth… ”No, Derek, we want you to lie to us.” Well, there wasn’t that much to report about anyway. I mean, the stuff I wrote in the article was true. I meant every word. So, for His Holiness Karmapa and related news it was a success. However, if there is one thing I have learned it is that there are two things you can always count on no matter what corner of the globe you travel to. Women will always be capricious enigmas, and politicians will always be deceitful characters disguised as friendly neighbors concerned about your well being. “The First International Buddhist Conference” turned out not to be a “first” at all. It may have been the first time a politician in India has used Buddhism to appeal to a certain demographic, but certainly not the “first” international Buddhist conference. In fact, for an “international” conference there were quite a lot of Indian spectators, as opposed to the assumed multinational audience they would have you believe was going to be there. The President of the organizing committee, Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar, strategically designed this event to gather influential and wealthy citizens from all over India in order to persuade them to vote in his favor on a few amendments he has been trying to pass through the Indian Congress. The panel for the “First International Buddhist Conference” was stacked with Indian parliament members and various state level politicians. Many of the guest speakers were actually Hindu. Yet, they were standing at the podium addressing the audience of over 1000 Buddhists about the importance of following the Buddha Dharma and the example of Lord Buddha. Knowing that if they were to mention the very famous Bharatna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, a founding father of India who converted to Buddhism in 1956, they would secure the support of the many thousands of followers Dr. Ambedkar has had since his movement began in the 1950’s. In the same sneaky way a young man in puberty pretends to yawn in order to slide his arm around his date in the movie theatre, these slick political fat cats from Delhi spoke extensively for two days on a variety of topics surrounding Buddhism and world peace while steering the topic ever so slowly from peaceful Buddhism to political activism. I have to hand it to them. They are quite good at what they do. Besides, you cannot blame the politicians for being politicians. Actually, the sad part is how easily the people attending the conference were duped into accepting these brainwashing techniques without the slightest struggle. I guess it just goes to show that as long as there are sheep there will always be shepherds.

me in the peace march in Mumbai 

This is the first draft of the article I wrote for the Mumbai conference

On April 9th and 10th 2005 His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa was invited to attend the First International Buddhist Conference at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Mumbai, Maharashtra India. His Holiness was requested to participate in a panel of prominent Indian statesmen and academics from around the world to discuss the variety of topics encompassed in the category of Buddhism and World Peace. Among the people in the forum were Shri Jaipal Reddy (Union Minister of Information, broadcasting and culture), Shri Vilas Rao Deshmukh (Chief Minister of Maharashtra), Shri R.R. Patil (Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra), Ramdas Athavale (Indian Parliament), Shri Babanrao pachpute (Minister of Forest in Maharashtra), Professor Christopher Queen (Dean of Students for Continuing Education in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Harvard University and author of several Buddhist publications) and Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar (Member of planning commission and president of the organizing committee). There were around 1000 delegates and spectators in the auditorium as well as numerous national and private media sources, booksellers, vendors and other attendees outside the building.
This event was held in honor of the late Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar was a founding father of India who converted to Buddhism on October 14th 1956, Whereupon he was able to use the teachings of Lord Buddha to emancipate the people of India who where oppressed by the Hindu caste system. Because of Dr. Ambedkar's devotion to Buddhism and his ability to apply the teachings to the times in which he lived, he was able to begin a revival of the Buddha Dharma in India, the birthplace of Buddhism, which continues to grow today. Many of the people attending this conference are staunch supporters of Dr. Ambedkar's movement and are in the forefront of the this resurgence of Buddhism in India.
His Holiness was asked to be the guest of honor on the first day of the conference, Saturday, April 9th. The conference began at 10 A.M. With a short introduction by Dr. Mungekar followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp (see Karmapa Documentary project photos) in which His Holiness Karmapa was invited to initiate the proceedings. Soon after, His Holiness gave a short and pithy speech in regards to the topics of discussion. ”I hope we will continue to be inspired by the vision of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for a free society based on equality, fraternity and human values through the practice of the Buddha Dharma.” He then took the opportunity to thank the council and all attendants by presenting gifts to the panel members before giving his “aspirations and prayers for welfare and prosperity of all sentient beings as well as for World peace.” The closing of the inaugural addresses was given by His Holiness. He blessed the congregation with a prayer for World peace while everyone stood with hands clasped together in silence. After the Inauguration of the conference, there was a break for lunch. His Holiness used this time to meet with the numerous conference guests and audience members until the conference reconvened.
On the second and last day of the conference, Sunday April 10th, His Holiness was invited to be the Chief Guest. The moment he arrived on stage the audience spontaneously arose in reverence to His Holiness Karmapaji, as they affectionately called him, and stood with allegiance until he was seated among the rest of the panel members. One of the highlights of the evening was His Holiness' address to the audience about “.... how to proceed for continued spreading of Buddhism for the benefit of the whole World.” He went on to say, “ Everyone wants peace in this World, and it can be achieved through cultivating compassion and an absolute knowledge of emptiness. It is not through improving the outer world in terms of raising living standards and the like that World peace could be attained.” His Holiness explained to the audience “ The lack of both compassion and emptiness is responsible for conflicts, warfare, racism and the like, as recent events of war, unrest, violence and terrorism in many parts of the World have shown.” He encouraged the audience by saying, ”In order to overcome these problems one needs to do away with the notion of self so that, in it's place, compassion and knowledge of emptiness can evolve.” He concluded by telling them about the importance of studying and practicing the teachings of Lord Buddha, especially at the present time. “Hence, I myself have resolved to make efforts in this regard so that Buddhist education becomes available to as many as possible, here in India and abroad.”
This First International Buddhist Conference of India was followed by a peace march led by His Holiness from the Ravindra Natya Mandir Conference Hall to the cremation memorial sight of Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. With a lamp in hand, His Holiness led over 1000 people through the streets of Mumbai that evening. The local police directed the traffic while His Holiness Karmapa, silently making wishes for World Peace, guided the multitudes to the cremation memorial sight. Upon arrival, His Holiness and several honored guests were permitted to enter the memorial building for a prayer service and offering to the late Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The police waited outside keeping the frenzy of followers behind the gates that surround the memorial sight. Meanwhile, His Holiness Karmapa along with Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar and several Therevadan Buddhist monks and teachers were continuing to pay their respects to Dr. Ambedkar. When the ceremonies where finished, His Holiness was escorted outside. The crowd being too much to hold back, they spilled in to the memorial grounds coming one by one to prostrate and receive blessing from His Holiness Karmapa. After finding him a chair to be seated in the garden, His Holiness gave his blessings to the outpouring of the masses before finally being led away by the local police to clear the grounds and the boardwalk area of Mumbai.
His Holiness made a deep impression on both those participating and those who attended the conference as spectators. The organizers of the event invited His Holiness to attend the next conference and encouraged him to keep his promise to work with the people of India to establish a solid foundation for the growth of Buddhism and Buddhist education. His impact was so powerful that it leads many to speculate that the followers of the late Dr. Ambedkar, who have been deprived of a spiritual leader since his death in the 1950’s, have found spiritual asylum in His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje.

His Holiness Trinlay Thaye Dorje the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa and the 14th Kunzig Shamarpa.  

Short Life story of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa

His Holiness Trinlay Thaye Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, was born May 6th, 1983. He is the first-born of the 3rd Mipham Rinpoche and Dechen Wangmo. He was ordained as a monk by taking refuge vows at Buddha Gaya Temple where he was given the name Trinlay (Buddha activity) Thaye (limitless) Dorje (unchanging). At age ten he was recognized by His Holiness the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, second in the line of lineage holders of the Karma Kagyu, as being the 17th emanation of the Karmapa.
His Holiness studied in New Delhi under various Buddhist scholars including the late Togpa Rinpoche, vajra master of Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet. In early 1996, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje gave his first Chenrezig (Skt. Avolikitisvara) initiation in this life at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in New Delhi India. Chenrezig represents the love and compassion of all Buddhas, which the Karmapas are considered to be a manifestation of.
In 1997, after the death of Togpa Rinpoche, His Holiness was officially invited to Bhutan for the cremation ceremony and was received with full honors. The short journey to the Bhutanese capital Thimpu took seven hours as thousands awaited him along the road for his blessings. This marked the beginning of a now well-established relationship between His Holiness the 17th Karmapa and the Royal family of Bhutan.
The Karmapa returned to New Delhi to continue his studies under the guidance of Shamar Rinpoche, receiving many transmissions and empowerments in the tradition of his predecessors. In 1999 His Holiness visited South East Asia including a visit to the Singapore Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre and the Kuala Lumpur Centre (Karma Kagyu Dharma Society). During his travels His Holiness gave refuge vows, and conducted numerous initiations such as the Karma Pakshi (the 2nd Karmapa) and Chenrezig empowerment. After returning to India for only a short time, HH 17th Karmapa traveled to Europe, participating in many ceremonies and giving various empowerments and initiations in Germany, France, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, and Denmark. In 2001 His Holiness was invited to Nepal to officially open Drubgyud Choeling Monastery in Lumbini. Becoming a seasoned traveler His Holiness has since journeyed to the United States, Spain, Czech Republic, and made repeat visits to many European nations.
. Currently, His Holiness Trinlay Thaye Dorje is finishing his studies in Kalimpong, India under the direction of the famous Buddhist scholar Professor Sempa Dorje. His objective as spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu is to spread the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings and to keep the unbroken lineage of the Karma Kagyu flourishing. As for the proliferation of Vajrayana Buddhism in the west, His Holiness plans to continue to teach the Dharma according to ones culture and views while maintaining the essence of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

Thangka of one of the Karmapas. "Thangka" is the Tibetan name for these colorful paintings depicting religious figures and scenarios of importance to Tibetan Buddhism.

A short History of the Karma Kagyu Buddhist lineage and the Gyalwa Karmapas

The Kagyu Lineage of the Karmapas is one the four well-known schools of Buddhism from Tibet (Sakya, Nyingma, Kagyu and Gelug). The lineage originated with the great yogi Tilopa who lived in Northern India around the 10th century A.D. Tilopa received special transmissions from the celebrated Buddhist masters Nagarjuna, Charyapa, Nakpopa and Lawapa and mastered all of them. These teachings were passed on from Tilopa to his student Naropa. These “Six Yogas of Naropa” are the principal theme in the Kagyu Lineage. Naropa transmitted his knowledge to Marpa. Marpa’s student, Milarepa, became one of Tibet's great yogis. Milarepa’s foremost disciple Gampopa carried on his transmission.

One of Gampopa’s most prominent students was Dusum Khyenpa. It was, Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa, who received the complete Mahamudra transmission from Gampopa. It is said that he was able to realize and master the teachings, which took Naropa 12 years to receive, in only 9 days. Dusum Khyenpa was also connected with Milarepa by receiving teachings from Rechungpa and other students of Milarepa. Prophesied by Lord Buddha in both the Lankavatara Sutra and the Samadhi Raja Sutra, this great meditation master went to Kampo Kangra to practice Mahamudra and gained Enlightenment at the age of 50. His liberation was celebrated by the dakinis who made him a gift of a crown made from their hair. This black crown is said to always be present above the heads of all the Karmapas, though only visible to those with exceptional insight.

Almost ten years after the passing of the first Karmapa, in the year 1204, a child was born in Chilay Tsakto in Eastern Tibet. Astonishing many people by claiming to be Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa, this child prodigy was soon recognized by Pomdragpa Sonam Dorje, who had been told by a vision of Dusum Khyenpa that this boy would become the next Karma Kagyu lineage holder. Thus, Karma Pakshi, the second Karmapa, became Tibet’s first reincarnate lama (Tib. Tulku Skt. Nirmanakaya) starting a long tradition that continues today in all four schools of Vajrayana Buddhism. These Successions of enlightened beings, considered to be emanations of Avolikitisvara, have been the lineage holders of the Karma Kagyu to the present day.