FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   July 15, 2011                                                                                                                                        

Contact: Rohit Mahajan 202 530 4976 mahajanr@rfa.org

‘It Is Something like a Dream’ to Visit Radio Free Asia: Tibetan Karmapa

RFA Hosts 17^th Karmapa during its 15^th 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 17^th 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 15^th 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.

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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@rfa.org

Desk: (202) 530-4976

Cell: (202) 489-8021

www.rfa.org