India’s 80th Independence Day: Karmapa’s message

August 14, 2026

Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, shares the following message on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day.

A transcript of the letter follows:

Dear Dharma friends,

On 15 August 2026, the noble nation of Bharat, India, celebrates her 80th Independence Day. On this auspicious occasion, I wish to offer my heartfelt prayers, blessings, and gratitude to this great nation and to all her people.

Since I left my birthplace of Tibet at the age of eleven, India has offered me refuge, kindness, and hospitality. It is through the generosity of this land that I have been able to pursue my spiritual activities, both in India and throughout the world, for so many years. For this, I remain deeply grateful.

All of us who follow the Buddha Dharma have profound reason to cherish India. It was in this sacred land, more than 2,500 years ago, that Prince Siddhartha attained perfect awakening beneath the Bodhi Tree and became the Buddha. India is therefore the birthplace of the Dharma, whose wisdom and compassion continue to benefit countless beings across the world.

For the followers of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, India has also been a refuge and a home. Through her enduring freedom, generosity, and spiritual openness, this nation has made it possible for our tradition to continue practising, studying, and sharing the Buddha Dharma.
Freedom is a precious gift. It reminds us of the courage, sacrifice, and vision of those who came before us, and of our responsibility to use this gift wisely: with compassion, respect, and a sincere wish for the well-being of all.

As India looks towards the future, the emphasis on the strength and potential of its young generation offers a message of hope. The aspiration for a Viksit Bharat – a developed India – reminds us that true progress is sustained not only by material achievement, but also by wisdom, ethical responsibility, compassion, and care for the natural world. May India’s young people be guided by courage, creativity, and a spirit of service, so that they may help build a peaceful and harmonious future for all.

I therefore ask all my students and Dharma friends to keep India in their thoughts and hearts on this special day. Let us rejoice in the spiritual wealth, beauty, and diversity of this great nation, and offer our prayers for the happiness, harmony, and flourishing of all her children.

With prayers,

Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa