England’s Times Online recently reported that “The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, is considering appointing a regent to lead the Tibetan movement after his death until his reincarnation is old enough to take over.” The current speculation is that His Holiness’s replacement would be His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa.
The Karmapa is, it would seem, an ideal candidate for the job: few have captured the imagination and hearts of so many, and at so young an age. The 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje dramatically escaped his Chinese Communist overseers at the age of 14. While the Chinese government denounces him, he has been embraced by supporters of the Tibetan cause worldwide.
