On 14th October 2024, it was announced that a delegation of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s Standing Committee, led by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and including parliamentarians Juchen Kunchok Chodon, Tenpa Yarphel, Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten, Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, and Tsaneytsang Dhondup Tashi, is visiting Ravangla in South Sikkim (see photo).  The delegation has only one woman, and so is heavily male-oriented, which is not surprising considering the CTA is predominantly male.  It states that:

"The delegation will be attending the 600th anniversary since the birth of the first Gyaltsab, the Great Drung Goshri Paljor Dondup, on 17th October 2024 at Ralang Densa Palchen Chosling, Ravangla, South Sikkim."

One of the the main Karma Kagyu heart sons of the Gyalwang Karmapa, is Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche. It is troubling and odd indeed that Tibetan representatives in Dharamsala and exile have shown little to zero interest in the last two decades in making sure the official 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje is able to visit there and teach and stay at Rumtek Monastery.

However, this delegation visit is a positive move in the right direction that holds the potential for them to 1) raise awareness in Sikkim about the situation with the 17th Karmapa and seek to make sure he can visit there soon, and 2) insist and put pressure on the relevant Sikkimese politicians, lawyers and courts, that the pending court cases in Sikkim started by the unofficial claimant, Thaye Dorje and his mainly white, European followers many years ago, are withdrawn and stopped immediately. 

In fact, the Sikyong Penpa Tsering has been spending a lot of time in Europe recently meeting Europeans and advocating on behalf of the Gelug dominated power groups and institutions in exile, yet perhaps it would be good if he, and other CTA representatives started advocating and supporting more their very own Tibetan Buddhist lineage head, one of the most important teachers and masters in Tibet (not only historically but also presently), and meeting with people who have the power to change that situation in Sikkim and India?

Take Action and email the delegates:
Please email the following delegates (see contact details and suggested draft email below):

1) Ven. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel: speaker@tibetanparliament.org, tibetanparliament@tibet.net  Mobile no: +919816373083,

2) Ven. Tenpa Yarphel (Kagyu): tenpayarphel15@gmail.com, Mobile no: +919882999888

3) Ven. Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen (Sakya): Email:loponthuptengyaltsen@tibetanparliament.org
Mobile no: +918627883245/7018143504

4)  Ven. Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten (Gelugpa): Email: atuktsetan@gmail.com, Mobile no: +919857633612

5) Ms. Juchen Kunchok Chodon (Dho-Toe Region) Email: kunchok_juchentsang@yahoo.com, Mobile no: +919418019679

6) Mr. Dhondup Tashi (Dho-Mey region): Email: dhonduptashitibet@tibetanparliament.org, Mobile no: +919418024107

Draft Suggested Email:

"Dear Honourable CTA Delegation members

It is good to hear you will be attending the Anniversary of the 1st Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche in Ravangla, Sikkim on 17th October 2024. I kindly request you to:

1) raise the issue in Sikkim of HH 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje's two decade long absence from Sikkim, in particular from Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the Gyalwang Karmapas in India, and ensure that:

1) the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa is able to visit Sikkim and stay and teach at Rumtek as soon as possible, and

2) all pending court cases against the 17th Karmapa and the Karma Kamtsang for control of Rumtek are withdrawn by the unofficial claimant and layperson, Thaye Dorje (who is not recognised by the vast majority of Tibetans in exile or in Tibet) and his followers who are predominantly from the Diamond Way Buddhist centres founded by Ole Nydhal in Europe.

I sincerely hope that your visit is meaningful and beneficial for the Karma Kagyu activities in Ravangla, Sikkim but also is beneficial in removing obstacles of the supreme head of the Karma Kagyu, 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje being able to visit and teach in Sikkim as soon as possible.

With good wishes,

YOUR NAME"