There was a great deal of emotional distress among Buddhists here in Syracuse when the Karmapa was accused of criminal wrongdoing in the handling of financial matters and links to the Communist Chinese. A wave of disbelief swept through the Buddhist community here as reports of investigations of the Karmapa opened up. All along devout Buddhists here in Syracuse placed their faith in the Karmapa and prayed he would be cleared of all charges of wrongdoing against him.
Now a report that the Karmapa has reappeared with new support has been received with joy by Buddhists here in Syracuse. The Buddhist Channel has reported "Karmapa ready for discourse, gets backing of Buddhist teacher", http://bit.ly/fV6Bvs. For the first time since the controversy over the recovery of foreign currency in his monastery and possible links to the Communist Chinese the 17th Karmapa has been preparing to hold spiritual discourses in the pilgrim town of Sarnath, India and the renowned Buddhist teacher and author Mingyur Rinpoche has come out in his support.
Rinpoche who is the author of the popular book "The Joy of Living" has expressed his thanks to the Indian government for clearing the Tibetan spiritual leader of charges of wrongdoing. Rinpoche has said "We are very grateful that His Holiness' name has been cleared." Rinpoche has also thanked the Dalai Lama for his blessings and people all around the world for their support to the Karmapa. He has said "We appreciate everyone's support. I feel very sad and upset about the allegation that he is a Chinese spy. This allegation has hurt the disciples of His Holiness. He is an enlightened being, but for us it's been very hurtful and upsetting."
The Karmapa plans to celebrate Losar, the Tibetan lunar new year, in Thrangu Monastery, which is one of the oldest monasteries in Sarnath, on Saturday. He will than participate in spring teachings from March 9-12 at Vajra Vidya Institute in Sarnath. A recent post on the Karmapa's Website has said "With the tremendous outpouring of messages of support from people around the world wishing to contribute positively to the current situation, His Holiness the Karmapa has advised the international Dharma centres, students and supporters around the world that the prayers would be good," http://www.kagyuoffice.org.
The Karmapa is considered the third most important Tibetan religious leader after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama in the Tibetan religious hierarchy. And so the clearing of his name has been of deep religious significance to the Buddhist community here in Syracuse and around the world.
Mandel News Service: http://www.mandelnews.com
