His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave his supreme confirmation that the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa had been found in Tibet and was to be enthroned as the sole successor to the lineage of the Gyalwa Karmapas.

The Dalai Lama’s precious seal of approval read:

The son born to Karma Dondrup and Loga in the Wood Ox year accords with the testament (of the late Karmapa) and is hereby recognized as the reincarnation of the Sixteenth Karmapa. With prayers for his well-being and the success of his sacred activity.

The Dalai Lama’s advice to the Kagyupas concerning the new incarnation was:

It is mainly Situ Rinpoche, along with Tsurphu Gyaltsab Rinpoche and those closely connected, who are responsible for finding the reincarnation of the Gyalwa Karmapa Rinpoche and I am very happy about this. The Gyalwa Karmapa is a supreme master of Buddhist teachings in general, a magnificent Lama of Tibet, and in particular of the Kagyu tradition’s Karma Kamtsang lineage. To have his reincarnation therefore is a great benefit for Buddhism in general and for the Kagyu lineage in particular, and so I am very happy.

In Tibetan, there is a proverb that says where there is great Dharma, there is immense Mara, and so there has been a little disharmony and some difficult situations, but these do not have great importance. What is important is the focus on what has real and profound significance. Until now, you have worked to keep in mind what is most important and essential, and you should continue to focus on what is vital, what is crucial.

In the world today, many people have an active interest in Buddhist teachings in general and, and especially in Eastern philosophy and particularly in the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, which brings together the sutra and tantra traditions. In the future, there will be more people who have this interest. The activities of the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa were most successful; he planted the roots of the Dharma, and the Buddha’s teachings generally flourished. At such a time, we Buddhists, who follow the same teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha, and count ourselves his disciples, should continuously maintain pure vision and serve the teachings well, so that numberless sentient beings may always enjoy the source of happiness. We usually pray that the teachings will help all sentient beings; if this is not immediately possible, then at least we can help those on this earth, and especially human beings. This is very important, and so everyone should do whatever possible not to harm others and to travel the noble path of peace.

I pray that this precious reincarnation will have a long life and that his activity, as that of the previous incarnation of the Gyalwa Karmapa, will flourish for the benefit of the teachings and sentient beings. Whatever his wishes are, may they be spontaneously accomplished. I wish you all Tashi Delek.