Trouble with China
The Chinese hostilities became intolerable and future possibilities for a peace-ful existence were very unlikely. Realising that the cause of the Dharma would best be served by escaping from the ever-tightening grips of the Chinese, His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa decided that he had no choice but to move to more peaceful areas. Accordingly, on the fourth day of the second month of the earth boar year (1959), accompanied by an entourage of one hundred and sixty Lamas, monks and laymen, Karmapa left Tsurphu monastery, the ancient seat of the Karmapas since the twelfth century, and proceeded towards Bhutan. Accompany-ing him were Shamar Tulku, Gyaltsap Tulku and the fourth Ponlop Rinpoche, as well as many other incarnate Lamas. Jamgon Khongtrul Tulku was already in Kalimpong, India, and Situ Tulku was in Bhutan.
Under the directions of Karmapa the party were able to bring with them the most precious of the sacred statues, ritual items, relics, icons, paintings, books and costumes, which had been preserved at the Tsurphu monastery over the centuries. The hazardous and difficult journey, raking twenty-one days in all, passed through Lhobrag in Southern Tibet, the birthplace of Marpa the Translator. Rites were performed at various sacred places on the way, for the welfare of all sentient beings and for the preservation of the Buddhist Dharma in the difficult times ahead.
The party arrived safely at Shabje Thang, in the Bumthang district of North Bhutan, on the twenty - fifth day of the second month of the earth pig year (1959). They were most warmly welcomed by Her Royal Highness Tsultrim Palmo, the Aunt of His Royal Highness the King, and many Ministers and high ranking officials of the governnment. At this time discussions were started with the Government of India, considering future plans for the resettle-ment of the Gyalwa Karmapa and his many followers. It was decided that all should transit through Bhutan and settle temporarily in Dharamsala, North Western India.
There was one thought uppermost in Karmapa's mind, and it was that, though in exile, he should not rest but must take full responsibility for rekindling and revitalizing the torch of the Dharma, with the material and spiritual co-operation of the many Buddhists throughout the world.
He felt that the Dharma had become like a lamp which needed an immediate and sustained supply of vital oil, in order to be able to burn a dear strong light.
In his contemplation the Gyalwa Karmapa felt that Sikkim would undoubtedly be the best place to set about creating the conditions for the fulfillment of his mission. Sikkim be considered especially suitable on account of the natural Buddhist inclinations of the people and particularly as the country had been sanctified by a visit of Guru Padmasambhava in the distant past. Therefore he readily accepted the kind invitation to set up his base in that country. Accompanied by Her Royal Highness Tsultrim Palmo of Bhutan Karmapa led the party to Gangtok arriving on the twenty-fifth day of the fourth month of the earth pig year (1959). Sir Tashi Namgyal, the Maharaja, offered Karmapa the choice of several sites in his Kingdom, for the location of the new monastery. Karmapa selected the site at Rumtek, where a Karma-Kargyudpa monastery had been built during the time of his ninth incarnation, Wangchuk Dorje. This place possessed all the auspicious attributes needed for the site of a seat of the Karmapa: seven streams flowing towards it, seven hills facing it, a mountain behind, snow ranges in front and a river below, spiraling downhill like the form of a conch-shell.
Karmapa and his party immediately arranged to proceed directly to Rumtek and arrived there on the fifth day of the fifth month of the earth pig year (1959). At that time Rumtek consisted of a monastery mostly in ruins and about half a dozen huts surrounded by jungle. There was neither adequate accommodation nor facilities for preparing food.
 The 16th Karmapa |  |
 Meeting of Refugees shortly after their escape from Tibet First row, left to rigth: Dudjom Rinpoche (Nyingmapa), Gyalwa Karmapa (Kagyudpa), Sakya Rinpoche (Sakyapa), Dalai Lama (Gelugpa) | |