Sikkim reiterates that Ogyen is the 17th Karmapa

Gangtok, June 26 (UNI) Reiterating that Ogyen Thrinley Dorje is the real 17th Karmapa, monks and elected representatives of the state government urged the Centre to allow the Karmapa to come to Sikkim and take his rightful throne in the world famous Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre.

'' Ogyen Thrinley Dorje is the 17th Karmapa and should be allowed to come to Sikkim,'' said Kunga Zampo Bhutia, an MLA during the celebrations of the 22nd birth anniversary of Ogyen Thrinley Dorje (widely accepted 17th Karmapa in Sikkim) at the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, 24 kms away from here.

Mr Bhutia said almost everybody in the state accepts Ogyen as the 17th Karmapa despite two other claimants to the Rumtek monastery throne.

The MLA said that the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government had repeatedly submitted requests to the Centre for allowing the 17th Karmapa to come to Sikkim.

Former minister and present advisor in the state ecclesiastical department, Namkha Gyalsten said Ogyen Thrinley Dorje is the 17th Karmapa and asked why was he stopped from coming to Sikkim. ''Sikkim is an integral part of India, but the Karmapa who is allowed to visit other parts of the country is not allowed to enter Sikkim. Is Sikkim not a part of India?'' he asked.

The Sikkim government, opposition parties and monks had sent several requests in the past to the Centre for allowing Karmapa to visit Sikkim.

According to the trust deed, Ogyen, the 17th Karmapa, should be given the responsibility of Rumtek monastery last year when he attained the age of 21, Mr Gyalsten informed.

UNI