The 17th Karmapa Rinpoche Ogyen Trinley Dorjee who is presently placed in the United States is still waiting for visa to return to India. The spiritual head of the Kagyue sect of Tibetan Buddhism has been very keen at returning back to India to carry out his religious activities.
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee has been on an extended stay in the United States since his last departure from the temporal home in India last year. According to his clarification as published in the official website of his office, he has acquired the Commonwealth of Dominica and received a passport. The Karmapa has since June this year been waiting for a visa from the Government of India for returning to India.
“Having acquired the new passport in March 2018, His Holiness informed the Indian Government, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the Central Tibetan Administration of his change in status. His Holiness wanted to return to India and initially had hoped to do so in June 2018. However, due to his change in status, he now needs a visa and has been waiting for the Indian Government to grant him one.” said the report published earlier.
Although the Karmapa expressed his hopes for returning to India by November this year, which did not succeed. The report also explained that the Karmapa has acquired the foreign passport to ease his foreign travels which usually turns problematic Tibetans a travel document issued by the government of India.
“Although the Indian Government issues Tibetans a travel document so that they can travel to other countries, it does not have the status of a passport, and the use of this document to travel abroad has become increasingly problematic, especially since some countries refuse to recognize its validity. Consequently, many high lamas of various Tibetan traditions have sought foreign citizenship in order to be able to travel freely and accomplish their dharma activities.” explained the report.
“This will enable him to travel freely all over the world in order to accomplish his dharma activities. ” added the report.