In 1992, when the Nechung Oracle gave his confirmation of the 17th Karmapa, he said, "Tibet will soon experience that which is like seeing the glimpse of the sun for an instant." These words soon came to reveal themselves true. The Gyalwa Karmapa escaped Tibet. Although in Tibet, he was able to brighten the country like a glimpse of the sun for an instant.

The Gyalwa Karmapa, due to limitless compassion, reincarnated back to Tibet to benefit beings. However, the Government of China began to attempt to use His Holiness as an instrument. His Holiness, being an enlightened religious figure, would not allow himself to be used for any political trickery.

Tai Situ Rinpoche, the Karmapa's main teacher, was not being allowed for some years now to teach the Karmapa in Tibet. To preserve the lineage, the Gyalwa Karmapa could not be separated from his main teacher.

Further events began to complicate the Karmapa's stay in Tibet. In 1998, three intruders went into the monastery and attempted to assassinate His Holiness. In 1999, the Government of China urged the Karmapa to attend ceremonies for their choice of the Panchen Lama who was an impostor to the throne. The true Panchen Lama, who the Dalai Lama recognized, was abducted by the Chinese Government previously and until the present day his whereabouts are unknown. His Holiness refused to accept the Government's wishes and when they presented a speech prepared for His Holiness to read, the Karmapa charged that he does not need someone else to write a speech for him.

Therefore on December 28 of 1999, His Holiness the Karmapa pretended to begin a short retreat in his room at Tsurphu monastery. That day he secretly left, with a few attendants in a car. His sister left two weeks earlier. They drove to the Tibet-Nepal border. From there they walked. A helicopter took His Holiness to Katmandu, and He took a taxi to India. By train, taxi and other means they finally reached the seat of the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala on January 6th.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama (who was in solitary retreat at the time) broke his retreat and met with the Karmapa, and the news ran across the globe.

The Karmapa attended the 60th anniversary ceremony of the Dalai Lama’s enthronement. The Karmapa’s first birthday in India was celebrated on June 26, the members of the Tibetan cabinet were present.

In February of 2001, the Gyalwa Karmapa was granted official status as a refugee by the Government of India. At that time, the Gyalwa Karmapa along with over one hundred monks were praying for the thousands who died in a devasting earthquake that rocked the Indian city Gujarat.