Michael J. Tully Park Stadium, New York City, New York
September 2, 2018
In the late afternoon, as the day’s hot temperature was coming off of its peak, the Karmapa came to watch the second Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup in North America. In welcome, he was greeted with the traditional auspicious offerings. The Karmapa then took his seat high above the field where he had a good view to watch the play along with more than a thousand Tibetans who had come to cheer on their teams. The match was between the previous year’s champions, the Cholsum Football Club of Toronto, and Team Tibet, from New York and New Jersey, who won this year’s event 3-0.
The Karmapa was asked to address the crowd and he began by thanking all who had participated. He also remarked that it was important that the Tibetans living abroad, and on this occasion, especially those living in North America, could come together and get to know each other so that friendships could naturally develop. He also rejoiced in the activity of His Holiness the Dalai Lama who had made this event possible and noted how well the Tibetans played together with a positive attitude.
This topic of harmony led him directly into an issue about which he often talks—positive relationships between the three large areas of Tibet and between the different religious traditions. Tibetan culture and religion, he said, depend on the Tibetans to preserve them and this is made possible through harmonious relationships between the three main areas of Tibet. The unity of these three is extremely important. Without it, the old divisiveness brings stress into this community. Everyone, therefore, has to put their shoulder to the wheel so that peace and well-being can happen within Tibetan society. He concluded his talk with the aspiration that this would, indeed, come about.
