I was told that you would like to know more about H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa than you read in yesterday's newspapers.

I cannot tell you much more than what I told the journalists yesterday, otherwise the journalists would be useless. (Rinpoche laughs.) I will reveal all the details about His Holiness Karmapa when the appropriate time comes. That is why I cannot say so much right now.

What I have said since 1992 has remained the same. I told people that the reincarnation of Gyalwa Karmapa is for the sake of all sentient beings. When somebody like him comes from Nirvana or from a former existence into this human existence, there is no constitution which determines how to find it out. There are no rules and regulations. For his reincarnation the Karmapa doesn't need an identity card or a visa and he doesn't have to go through immigration. Everything manifests through his spiritual qualities.

All sentient beings take rebirth without freedom, they have to follow their karma. When the great bodhisattvas reincarnate, it is by their own choice. All former incarnations of Karmapa manifested through their own abilities. A spiritually qualified lama has to take care of the recognition process, according to the instructions. But the confirmation has to come through spiritual aspect only, and not be linked with governments, ambassadors, immigrations, or anything like that. This is what we are doing now.

The Chinese Government installed one Karmapa in Tibet. You all know that from the statements they sent around the world. They didn't lie. They really did what they said. They founded a religious bureau with the main seat in Beijing and branches in all the different regions. The central bureau commanded the local branches to select a suitable boy for Karmapa's position. The local bureau selected the boy and installed him in Tsurphu. A number of lamas offered their agreement. It is not my business to say why and how they did it and what their reasons were.

I cannot make any decisions for other religions but I can make competent decisions for the Karma Kagyu lineage because I have the authority. It was passed on to me when I was recognized as the reincarnation of Shamarpa, all past Shamarpas have had it. I made a decision that I don't want a Karmapa who is politically installed. I want a spiritually installed Karmapa.

I have no objection to the Karmapa installed by the Government of China because it is in their own country. I also don't have any objections to whoever agrees with that. But if someone forces us to follow and to focus only on that one, then I disagree. This is my own choice. Whoever wants to follow me is welcome. Whoever does not follow me - will never be forced.

Many people asked me whether this Karmapa has the permission from H.H. Dalai Lama. I answered that Karmapa's reincarnations started 300 years earlier than Dalai Lama's reincarnations. This does not mean that we disrespect the Dalai Lama. I, and all the monks from Rumtek Monastery, have a very high respect for the Dalai Lama. And we will feel very honored if H.H. Dalai Lama gives us his blessing or gives his blessing to this Karmapa. But we will not establish a new system, where the Karmapa's reincarnations need permission from the government. This would not be good for his spiritual activity in the future. Not only for this Karmapa, but also for the 18th, 19th and so on. They would then always need a government's approval.

I became convinced about our young Karmapa through my own spiritual abilities, by the qualities that he has shown, and by the instructions left by the 16th Karmapa. We will reveal them, as I said, in the appropriate time. I don't think it will take long. This is all I can say now.

Before the enthronement takes place, the situation should be calmed down. There should not be any more trouble like we had here. Then it will be the right time for Karmapa's enthronement. Thank you.

Kagyu Life International, No.1, 1994. Copyright ©1994 Kamtsang Choling USA.