Monk-turned-politician to fight for bringing back Karmapa

Sonam Lama, the lone monk in the newly elected Sikkim Assembly, said he took the plunge into politics to protect the Buddhist 'dharma' and enthrone the 17th Karmapa in his seat, the famous Rumtek monastery.
Fighting on a ticket from Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, Lama had defeated two other monks in the recently concluded Assembly polls to win the unique 'Sangha' seat, where only monks can vote and contest.
"The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government has ignored the needs of Buddhist followers and the monk community. Now I will fight to protect our 'Dharma'," Lama told PTI here.
The most burning issue for the monk from Simik Duduling Gompa in East Sikkim relates to the Karmapa, spiritual leader of Kagyu order of Tibet Buddhism.

Citing security concerns, the union Home Ministry has restricted Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, to travel to Sikkim. He is waiting to be enthroned in Rumtek monastery, the most important seat of Buddhism in Sikkim.
"He is allowed to come to Darjeeling and Kalimpong then why not Sikkim? I will go and meet representatives of the central government in Delhi and demand that he should be allowed to travel to Sikkim so that we can enthrone him," the monk-turned-MLA said.
Until the Karmapa returns, the Twelfth Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche is overseeing activities at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, located about 23 km from Gangtok amidst picturesque surroundings.

"He is our guru and should be here with his disciples. No one should politicise religion and stop Karmapa from coming here," said a Lama from Rumtek.