July 11, 2011 – Washington DC
His Holiness the Karmapa attended a reception hosted by the Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Loday Gyari Rinpoche, and attended by Professor Venerable Samdhong Rinpoche, the Kalon Tripa-elect Lobsang Sangay, and board members of the International Campaign for Tibet, including Richard Gere. The reception, hosted in honor of Samdhong Rinpoche, was well attended. Gyari Rinpoche toasted him and lauded his achievements and his deep dedication towards the Tibetan people and, in particular, thanked him for his commitment to leading the Tibetan community towards democracy.
Gyari Rinpoche also welcomed His Holiness the Karmapa, saying that he believed His Holiness would be a powerful representative for Tibetan cultural identity and that his mere presence sent a signal that Tibetan culture and religion is alive and vibrant today, and that the younger generation would protect this legacy. He went on to say that the overwhelming sense among Tibetans towards His Holiness the Karmapa is one of trust and approval as he has gradually grown up at the side of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and taken on the mantle of leadership in the Kagyu tradition and in the Tibetan community. His Holiness the Karmapa was seated between the Special Coordinator for Tibet, Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero, and the previous Special Coordinator, Paula Dobriansky.
