April 13, 2020
His Holiness The 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje is supporting the efforts of the Government of India in its fight against the Coronavirus epidemic by contributing 28 lakh rupees ($36,000 USD approx). His office Tsurphu Labrang stated in a press release: “His Holiness (the Karmapa) is very concerned about the outbreak of this deadly COVID-19 in India and around the globe, and appreciates the timely and untiring efforts made by the Government of India led by Honourable Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and the State Govts in containing this deadly disease.” At the Karmapa’s direction, Tsurphu Labrang and Kun Kyong Charitable Trust made a combined contribution of 12 lakh rupees ($15,000 USD approx) to the Prime Minister CARES Fund, and three lakh rupees each ($4,000 USD approx) to the State Governments of Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim respectively. Another organisation that the Karmapa leads, the Kagyupa International Monlam Trust (Kagyu Monlam) has also made a contribution of five lakh rupees ($6,500 USD approx) to the Prime Minister CARES Fund, and another five lakh rupees to the State Government of Bihar. Kagyu Monlam has also been coordinating with the District authorities in Gaya to support essentials for needy people in the districts of Bihar. The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is one of the top spiritual leaders in the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy. He is the head of the Karma Kagyu, one of the four Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism