Karmapa concerned over self-immolation by monks
November 9th, 2011 - 7:48 pm ICT by IANSDharamsala, Nov 9 (IANS) The 17th Karmapa, the only major monk reincarnate recognised by both the Dalai Lama and China, Wednesday expressed concern over self-immolation protests in Tibet.
“Each report of self-immolation from Tibet has filled my heart with pain. Most of those who have died have been very young. They had a long future ahead of them, an opportunity to contribute in ways that they have now foregone,” an official statement quoting the Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, said here.
“In Buddhist teaching, life is precious. To achieve anything worthwhile, we need to preserve our lives. We Tibetans are few in number, so every Tibetan life is of value to the cause of Tibet. Although the situation is difficult, we need to live long and stay strong without losing sight of our long-term goals,” he said.
The latest case relates to the self-immolation by Palden Choetso, a 35-year-old nun from Tawu Gaden Choeling nunnery, near Nyitso monastery in east Tibet, this month.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) based here said the Tibetans immolated themselves to protest China’s policies, for their demand of freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama to his homeland.
The Karmapa appealed to the Chinese leaders to heed Tibetans’ legitimate demands and to enter into meaningful dialogue with them instead of trying to suppress them.
The Karmapa has been residing in a monastery on the outskirts of this town.
He is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu school, one of the four sects of Buddhism.
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Tags: 17th karmapa, buddhist, central tibetan administration, chinese leaders, cta, dalai lama, dorje, east tibet, karma kagyu school, losing sight, meaningful dialogue, monastery, monks, nunnery, outskirts, sects of buddhism, self immolation, spiritual head, term goals, tibetan life