ET

Tibet's boy lama tells the world of his leap to freedom

By Rahul Bedi in Sidhbari

THE Karmapa Lama, one of the highest ranking figures in Tibetan Buddhism, described for the first time yesterday how he leapt from a window at the start of an eight-day odyssey to escape Chinese captivity.

In a statement issued during his first public appearance since his arrival in India 15 months ago, the Tibetan teenager described how a few days before fleeing he had informed his Chinese "minders" that he was going into retreat for some time, a ruse designed to lessen the risk of pursuit. He said: "On December 28, at 10.30 at night, I climbed down from my room and jumped to the ground where a jeep was waiting nearby."

For the next 30 hours he and his unidentified companions navigated remote valleys and high mountain passes, avoiding Chinese military barriers and patrols. The Karmapa said: "Through the powers of my prayers to the Buddha and through his compassion we were not discovered and arrived in Mustang in Nepal."

The group continued their hazardous journey over precipitous mountain passes on foot and horseback before arriving at Manang, also in Nepal, where they hired a helicopter to Nagarkot on the Indian border. On Jan 5 last year the Karmapa reached Dharamshala where he was received by the Dalai Lama. He said: "My joy knew no bounds."

The 15-year-old Karmapa produced an impressive mixture of acumen and dexterity during the press conference, dealing with a range of sensitive diplomatic, political and religious issues concerning his homeland. Urgan Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, sat on a chair draped with colourful woven brocades in a huge hall hung with elaborate Tankha paintings portraying stories of Buddhist folklore.

Facing the world's press, he deftly parried questions on the Byzantine complexities of China's designs to destroy Tibet's religious, cultural and political future. In a subtle dig at China's attempts to weaken Buddhism's influence he declared through an interpreter: "I hope Tibet abides in a state of non-violence."

The Karmapa's defection was all the more galling for the Chinese because Beijing had accepted Urgan Dorje as the Karmapa in 1992 after an elaborate selection procedure designed to dilute the influence of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's spiritual leader.

In the two-hour meeting with reporters, which he completely dominated, the Karmapa, considered the second most powerful man amongst Buddhists after the Dalai Lama, smilingly sidestepped delicate questions on India's role in granting him refugee status two months ago. He has not been allowed to travel to the Rumtek monastery in the north-eastern state of Sikkim and install himself there, which would officially confirm his position.

The Indian government is anxious not to upset China, with which it fought a disastrous border war in 1962. Although it offered the Dalai Lama refuge after China occupied Tibet, it does not allow him to make anti-Beijing statements. The Karmapa said: "In the past the Karmapas did not engage in political activity and I can do nothing but follow in their footsteps."

He was unaware of his parents' fate or that of his supporters in Tibet after his escape. "Even though parents are important I felt it was necessary for me to escape for the greater good," he said, adding that he prayed constantly for their welfare. The Buddhist leader dismissed the claims of a rival, 18-year-old Thaye Dorje, who says he is the real Karmapa. He said: "The Karmapa's identity cannot be decided by votes or debates. It is decided by the predictions of previous lamas."

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2001