“It was strange because the evening before the birth, even though the sun had set, a rainbow formed over the tent. Naturally, I had no idea that the child was Karmapa. But the many wondrous signs that accompanied his birth made us very happy and gave us the certainty that this child would be of great benefit to Buddhism.” – Karma Dondrub, the 17th Karmapa’s father
On 23 May 2024, a Tibetan announcement circulated on WeChat:
“Today, on the special and important commemoration of the Teacher’s [Buddha] Parinirvana passing, in the morning at 8.48 am, the elderly father of Gyalwang 17th Karmapa, who had reached 87 years old, passed beyond suffering, into the peaceful expanse of sleep. . . . In particular, even though the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa has had to be separated from his dearly beloved, supreme father for over thirty human years, wherever he has been, in foreign or native lands, he has always held deep in his heart the kindness of his father and all his family members with sincere affection, fervent longing and equanimity.”
In the afternoon of Chinese/Tibetan time, on the auspicious and most sacred Buddhist day of Saga Dawa (in Tibetan), it was announced on the official Karmapa’s WeChat account (in the Tibetan language only) that the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s 87 year old elderly father, Karma Dondrub (who has been having health issues for some time) passed away earlier this morning, around 8:48 a.m.
This announcement has not been officially made on other social media yet. Sadly, the 17th Karmapa has been unable to visit his father (or family members in Tibet) for over thirty years, and was not physically present when he passed away.
The short announcement was simple, respectful and humble, with no hastily and disrespectfully published photos of his father’s dead body, or loud public proclamations of his being in thug-dam, as some people have been prone to do these days on social media.
Since the announcement yesterday, various Karma Kagyu nunneries and monasteries in Tibet, India, Nepal and Bhutan have posted their condolences and photos of rituals being conducted by them for the Karmapa’s father.
The 17th Karmapa’s father was a ruggedly handsome, gentle, humble, nomadic man from Kham, Tibet with a large family who remained faithfully married and together with the Karmapa’s mother, Loga until he passed away today.
In the film Living Buddha (1994) by Clemens Kuby, which can be watched in full here, the 17th Karmapa’s father can be seen talking (around 1 hours in) about his son’s auspicious birth in a very simple nomad tent in Tibet:
“It was strange because the evening before the birth, even though the sun had set, a rainbow formed over the tent. Naturally, I had no idea that the child was Karmapa. But the many wondrous signs that accompanied his birth made us very happy and gave us the certainty that this child would be of great benefit to Buddhism.”
In that film, it also explains why the Karmapa’s parents were not given any special, “VIP” treatment: “For Buddhists, the parents have no special importance, and are no closer to the Buddha than anyone else. Seen from the point of view of reincarnation, a child’s qualities are derived from his former life.”
Nonetheless, it is sad and strange that the 17th Karmapa seems to have been unable to meet physically with his elderly parents during their time of ill-health and old age.
Personally, I will never forget in the documentary film, The Lion Begins To Roar (1999), in which a beautiful, bright and brilliant teenage 17th Karmapa at Tsurphu monastery, is seated on the throne, and smiles lovingly and shyly at his parents sitting near him who also look very happy and smiling (see screenshot photos). Watching it now still brings tears to my eyes of joy, devotion and longing. Happier and more innocent times in Tibet it seems.
A young boy who was taken away from his parental care at a very young age and flung into a world of adult politics, sectarianism and conflict, of Chinese and Indian politicians and “fake friends,” constant monitoring and control, and more, cannot have been easy at such a young age. Nonetheless, as a testament to his remarkable compassion, wisdom and power, the 17th Karmapa has continued, and continues to inspire and innovate a whole new generation of followers within and outside of Tibet.
Thus, on this auspicious day we remember not only the great kindness of Buddha at coming to this world and teaching the Dharma and attaining full awakening, but also the 17th Karmapa’s humble and simple father, whose mind and body helped to bring the magnificently gifted and intelligent 17th Karmapa into this world. What a great gift to us all, and a teacher whose absence in person we all feel and miss very much!
For the full article and translations, please visit my page below.
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