Dawa Sangpo Sherpa. Picture by Kundan Yolmo

Siliguri, Dec.1: North Sikkim-born Dawa Sangpo Sherpa, the self-proclaimed “real” 17th reincarnation Karmapa of the Karma Kagyu sect of Buddhism at Rumetk, has challenged the other two claimants of the Karmapa title to “prove their authenticity” before Tibetan high Lamas and devotees.

The 26-year-old is the third claimant to the coveted title since the controversy erupted with the flight of the 17-year-old Tibet-born boy-monk, Ugen Thinley Dorjee, from Tibet in January 2000.

The other claimant to the title is 17-year-old, India-born Tahye Thinley Dorjee, propped by Kunzing Sharmapa Rimpoche, a rebel Rumtek regent.

Addressing a news conference here last evening, Dawa said: “Let Ugen Thinley Dorjee and Thaye Thinley Dorjee come to Rumtek and all three of us be made to perform miracles in full view of the international and national media and Tibetan Buddhist religious gurus and learned Rimpoches. The one who is the true Karmapa will be offered the Karmapa’s Dharma Mukut or the symbolic black hat.”

Dawa who hails from the Sherpa community, had, thrice before, tried to storm the Rumtek monastery with his followers to occupy the seat of the Karmapa. His advances were thwarted by government authorities.

Dawa claimed that the Rumtek regent Tai-Situ Rimpoche had prevented him from meeting the Tibetan spiritual and temporal head, the Dalai Lama. “I will try to meet the Dalai Lama during his eight-day visit to Salugara and Darjeeling and stake my claim,” he said.

Dawa claimed that the fourth Rumtek regent, Jamgon Kongtrul Rimpoche, prior to his death in 1992, had recognised him as the 17th reincarnation of the Gyalwa Karmapa. “The two fake karmapas are only interested in the properties of the Karma Kagyu sect. They have no religious local standi,” he said.