On Monday, December 1, 2003, the Vidyadhara ceremony of the 17^th Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje, took place in the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in New Delhi. This ceremony was held in celebration of the formal completion of his monastic education in the sutras and tantras and all other aspects of the teachings of the profound lineage.

The ceremony also coincided with H. H. the 17^th Karmapa’s coming of age. From now on, according to Indian law, he is the legitimate leader of the Karma Kagyu tradition.

This title of a Vidyadhara was bestowed on H. H. the Karmapa by H. H. the Künzig Shamarpa, second to the Karmapa in the Karma Kagyu tradition.

The ceremony was attended by high dignitaries of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, by Indian benefactors of the late 16^th Gyalwa Karmapa, and by monks and devotees from East and West.

The Karma Kagyu lineage spans over nine hundred years of Tibet’s Buddhist history. The first Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa (12^th century), began the practise of reincarnating in a line of successive masters. The second Lama to do so was the first Shamarpa, Tragpa Senge (13^th century). Since that time they have been acting as the supreme heads of the Karma Kagyu school. Thus, the Karmapas and the Shamarpas are central to Buddhism in Tibet.

The present Shamarpa, Palden Mipham Chokyi Lodrö, recognized the son of Mipham Rinpoche of Dzakhog, Derge, East Tibet and his wife Dechen Wangmo as the reincarnation of the XVIth Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. This son, Tenzin Khyentse, was enthroned as the XVIIth Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje.

The Vidhyadhara-ceremony began at 10.00 a.m. Together with H. H. the Gyalwa Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje, and H. H. the Künzig Shamarpa, Mipham Chökyi Lodrö, the monastic sangha conducted the ritual of the 16 Sthaviras.Thereafter, H. H. the Gyalwa Karmapa first prostrated to the main Buddha statue in the shrine hall. Then H. H. the Künzig Shamarpa bestowed the title of a Vidyadhara upon H. H. the Gyalwa Karmapa and gave him the associated document.

This was followed by various offerings made to H. H. the Gyalwa Karmapa. There was an extensive mandala offering as well as the offerings of a series of auspicious symbols. H. H. the Karmapa was also offered the sacred body, speech and mind of the Buddha represented by a statue, a text, and a stupa. These offerings were given to H. H. the Gyalwa Karmapa by H. H. the Künzig Shamarpa. Thereafter, a great number of H. H. the Karmapa’s followers offered him the symbols for the Buddha’s body, speech and mind as well. All the monks, nuns, and lay-followers offered ceremonial scarves and presents to H. H. the Gyalwa Karmapa and H. H. the Künzig Shamarpa.

Among the Rinpoches and Tulkus who attended the ceremony were: Khenchen Tashi Paljor Rinpoche, representatives of H. E. Luding Khenpo Rinpoche and of H. E. Chobgye Tri Rinpoche, Sönam Tsemo Rinpoche, Sabchu Rinpoche, Dorje Lopön Rinpoche, Shangpa Rinpoche, Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Sangsang Rinpoche, Yab Mipham Rinpoche and Mayum Dechen Wangmo, Nendo Rinpoche, Chagme Rinpoche, Tulku Lodrö Rabpel, Drupseng Rinpoche, Gasar Gomchen Tulku, Yumo Tenzin Norbu Rinpoche, Kalsang Tsenchog Tulku, Urgyen Tendzin Tulku, Sengrigar Tulku Urgyen Nyima, Yönten Gyamtso Tulku, Trinle Tulku, Nyarong Öpung Tulku Yönten Gyatso, Karma Chödar Tulku, and Karnag Jamyang Tulku.

Among the VIPs and Dignitaries were: The King of Ladakh, Jigmed Wangchuk Namgyal, Kazi Jigme T. Gyaltshen from Sikkim, Prof. Sempa Dorje, Mr. Loke Darshan, former Private Secretary to the late King of Nepal, Mr. and Mrs. Ashok Burman, Aum Tsoki, wife of the Ambassador of Bhutan, Mr. Sangay Nyedrup from Bhutan, Mr. Manohar Kampani, Ex Governor of the Indian Andaman- and Nicobar-Islands, and Captain Yongdrag from Sikkim.