Karmapa Controversy - Split Recognition of The Current Karmapa

Split Recognition of The Current Karmapa

Of the two 17th Karmapas, Ogyen Trinley Dorje has been recognized by Situ Rinpoche and Gyaltsab Rinpoche. In July 1992, both asked the Office of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala to confirm their recognition. The 14th Dalai Lama confirmed the recognition of Ogyen Trinley Dorje. His recognition of Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the Karmapa is, in part, attributed to a dream he had of Ogyen Trinley Dorje's birthplace. As stated by the Dalai Lama, in this dream he saw a valley at a higher latitude with multiple streams and other features. Then, in the dream, a voice with no form or body said that this was the place the Karmapa was born. It has been pointed out that according to tradition the Dalai Lama does not have any role in the recognition process of the Karmapa or within the Karma Kagyu school in general. However, it can also be argued that as indicated by the fact the 15th Karmapa was appointed by the 9th Druckchen Rinpoche of the Drukpa Kagyu school, respected high teachers from other lineages have been relied upon to confirm recognitions. Nonetheless, responding to the Dalai Lama's role in the process, in February 1997, Shamar Rinpoche stated:

This amounts to a medieval dictatorial command and I understand that this is the approach that you desire. But it is completely unacceptable to me … Therefore, my final request to the Private Office of the Dalai Lama is that does not involve His Holiness's name in this problematic issue … with respect to our lineage it is up to us, who are part of that lineage, to achieve its aims … you ought to be cautious in your undertakings!

A different interpretation of the role of the Dalai Lama in the recognition process was provided by the 9th Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, a senior Karma Kagyu teacher, when he stated: 'All the highly realized monks of the Vajrayana Buddhism, like H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. Sakya Trizin and many other compassionate religious practitioners, have in their wisdom said that Urgyen Trinley Dorje of Tibet is the 17th Karmapa.' In other words, the Dalai Lama's part in the process is considered by some to be legitimate because of his level of realization. Similarly, Thrangu Rinpoche's statement also suggests that it can be considered significant that Sakya Trizin (head of the Sakya school) and the recently deceased head of the Nyingma school, Mindroling Trichen Rinpoche recognized Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa, and composed long-life prayers for him.

Other major teachers of the Karma Kagyu lineage (e.g. the 7th Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, the 9th Thrangu Rinpoche, the 7th Mingyur Rinpoche, and the 9th Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche) also hold Ogyen Trinley Dorje to be the 17th Karmapa.

For the government of the People's Republic of China, Ogyen Trinley Dorje is the 17th Karmapa.

The first born Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje, has been recognized by Shamar Rinpoche (regarded by some as the senior lama in the Karma Kagyu hierarchy just below the Karmapa), Lama Jigme Rinpoche, Topga Yulgyal Rinpoche, Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, the Venerable Khenchen Rinpoche Drupon Trinley Paljor, and the Fourth Trungram Gyaltrul Rinpoche.

Beru Khentse Rinpoche holds a distinct minority view, saying he believes both Karmapas are legitimate. He states "it is possible that there can be two Karmapas in order to benefit sentient beings because the Karmapa can manifest in many different forms" and writes that the 14th Karmapa highlighted that "in many universes a hundred million Karmapas have manifested. The Karmapa is also the Buddha's emanation, thus until all the thousand Buddhas have come and their doctrine is not diminishing, my activity of the Karmapa emanations will not end."

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche said that "as far as my father was concerned, they were both to be respected and perceived with pure appreciation."

For followers on both sides of this controversy, the issue is painful. Both sides pray that the rightful Karmapa may be able to do his dharmic duties and teachings. Ole Nydahl, founder of Diamond Way Buddhism and supporter of Trinley Thaye Dorje, has said that the spiritual realization of the Karmapas and their worthiness as reincarnations will be shown clearly by their future actions.