19 May 2008
Karmapa in US
The head of the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism, 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, left Dharamsala for New Delhi and is currently on his first ever visit to the United States. His 18-day visit is taking him to New York, New Jersey, Boulder, Colorado and Seattle. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs gave permission for the visit in February 2008, following many requests to the Indian government in the past few years. This is the Karmapa's first visit outside India since he fled Tibet and arrived in India in 2000. He has said that he hoped he might be able to spend two months a year in the US, where his lineage has many followers and substantial property holdings. He said about his visit: "On a personal level, by visiting America, I hope to broaden my own horizons and bring new depth to my experience", adding: "By connecting with the powerful countries, such as the US, I aspire that my own abilities to bring peace to the world in this new century will be enhanced".