Karmapa controversy
[4] As the years passed, separate sets of organizations and highly recognized lamas, or teachers, supported one Karmapa or the other.
[5] Despite an intriguing history, the high lamas involved met on good terms and issued statements that they are confident there will be an amicable solution.
[6][7] In 2020, Ogyen Trinley Dorje and Trinley Thaye Dorje jointly announced they would work together to find the next incarnation of the Shamar Rinpoche, historically considered second in importance to the Karma Kagyu lineage after the Gyalwang Karmapa,[8] similar to the Panchen Lama's role as second in importance in the Gelugpa school after the Dalai Lama.
The two Karmapas asked all students of the Karma Kagyu to regret their past actions, and have the firm resolve to never split into factions again.
With the 172-year ban on recognizing Shamarpa reincarnations lifted, Shamar Rinpoche reclaimed his place as senior student and deputy of the Karmapa.
The ban had begun after the 10th Sharmapa was accused by members of the Karma Kagyu lineage of being a traitor, and of instigating the Sino-Nepalese War between Tibet and Nepal.
[25][24] The Shamar Rinpoches have had a hand in recognizing seven of the Karmapas and were often successors and teachers of the Karmapas—the relationship between the two has been characterized as being like father and son, or as brothers.
[1] While disputing the interpretation of the prophecy, the Shamarpa, while supporting his selection of Trinley Thaye Dorje, maintained it could be reinterpreted to correspond to the 16th Karmapa and the 11th Tai Situ Rinpoche.
[23] Supporters of Ogyen Trinley Dorje maintain that the 14th Dalai Lama has the spiritual authority to recognize an incarnation of the Karmapa.
[23][34][35] Within the antireligious campaigns of the Chinese Communist Party is an ongoing directive to halt the recognition of high tulkus and control the naming of Dalai Lamas, Panchen Lamas, Karmapas, and Shamarpas, in order to gain spiritual and temporal control of Tibet and of Tibetan Buddhism.
"[This quote needs a citation] Although Tai Situpa wore the locket on a gold chain for about a year after the Karmapa's death, he moved it to a side pocket, not realizing its significance or that it contained a message.
Shamar Rinpoche stated the inner letter appeared to be older than its outer envelope, and claimed the handwriting and grammar did not match that of the 16th Karmapa.
[61][62][63] The PRC has continued to recognize Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the Karmapa even after he departed Tibet and arrived in India in January 2000.
"[66] In 1982, Shamar Rinpoche and his cousin, Topga Yugyal, gained control of the estate at Rumtek Monastery a month after the 16th Karmapa's passing.
He escaped over the Himalayas in the middle of winter, evading Chinese authorities and making his way through Nepal and on to Dharamsala, India, arriving on January 5, 2000.
"[This quote needs a citation] According to Dawa Tsering, spokesperson for the administration of Shamar Rinpoche, "He (Urgyen Trinley Dorje) was confident that this meeting would bring peace in the Kagyu School in general and thus help in flourishing Buddha Dharma.
"[This quote needs a citation] To underscore his willingness to be supportive, Shamar Rinpoche even provided the necessary help for Ogyen Trinley Dorje to obtain Indian government approval for a visit to the US, though at the same time maintained the stance that Trinley Thaye Dorje is the authentic Karmapa.
"[72][independent source needed] In February 2011, Ogyen Trinley Dorje was accused of being a Chinese spy by government officials of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh,[73] allegations which the Karmapa denied.
[76] On 29 March 2017, Trinley Thaye Dorje announced his plans to marry his friend, thirty-six-year-old Rinchen Yangzom, born in Bhutan.
[79] As a Tertön, he had numerous consorts; his children included Khyentsé Özer, who was recognised as the Second Jamgon Kongtrul, and Jamyang Rinpoché, an unrecognised Shamarpa.
He proclaims his personal doubt of being as skilled as the previous Karmapas[82] and asks the community to reconcile the division of the Karma Kagyu Lineage.
On October 11, they issued a joint statement that the two Karmapa candidates would work together to heal the divisions that split the Karma Kagyu lineage.
