15 Jul
2011
15 Jul
'11
12:32 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2011
Contact: Rohit Mahajan 202 530 4976 mahajanr(a)rfa.org
<mailto:mahajanr@rfa.org>
'It Is Something like a Dream' to Visit Radio Free Asia: Tibetan Karmapa
RFA Hosts 17th Karmapa during its 15th Anniversary Year
WASHINGTON, DC - On the heels of the Dalai Lama's visit to RFA earlier
in the week, Tibetan spiritual leader Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th
Karmapa, today visited RFA's headquarters in Washington, DC. During the
Tibetan lama's visit, he met privately with RFA's leadership, gave an
interview to RFA's Tibetan service, and met with RFA Tibetan's language
service staff. He spoke about RFA's important role in its 15th
anniversary year as a broadcaster for the Tibetan community both in
Tibetan regions inside China and around the world.
"It is something like a dream for me to be physically present at Radio
Free Asia," the Karmapa said in his meeting with RFA's Tibetan staff.
"When I was in Tibet and listened to RFA Tibetan service programs, I
wished that I could personally meet you in person. I am extremely
delighted to be present amongst you in person."
"Through the programs of the RFA Tibetan language service, the audience
both inside and outside Tibet are greatly benefited with the opportunity
of receiving true stories on time for the Tibetan audience and others
who are interested, and you promote freedom of expression through your
broadcasts," he said in his address. "Your broadcasts are a crucial
component for the Tibetan cause."
In his interview, the Karmapa said, "I was brought up in Tibet by
listening to RFA Tibetan programs."
"You have completed 15 years of your service, and those 15 years signify
extremely remarkable accomplishments," he stated.
The Karmapa is the head the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The
Tibetan spiritual leader is in Washington with the Dalai Lama for the
11-day Buddhist Kalachakra ritual, which concludes this week. Voice of
America also interviewed the Karmapa today.
# # #
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and
publishing online news, information, and commentary in nine East Asian
languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news
media. RFA's broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of
opinion and expression, including the freedom to "seek, receive, and
impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers." RFA is funded by an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board
of Governors.
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Rohit Mahajan
Media Relations Manager
Radio Free Asia
Email: mahajanr(a)rfa.org
Desk: (202) 530-4976
Cell: (202) 489-8021
www.rfa.org
