We came across many Tibetans who told us of their unsuccessful attempts to flee and said that there were no other routes open.

I requested help and protection from the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) and asked them to guide me because I was determined to escape.

Other Tibetans tried to dissuade me as they were convinced that the Chinese would kill me along with the others. But I was sure that fleeing was the best thing to do and that the Three Jewels would protect us.

Our escape route wasn't a real path. On one side were very steep cliffs and on the other the Brahmaputra. The Chinese had the entire route under their control. In order not to be seen we waited until the dead of night had fallen. The Chinese had flashlights and we came so close to them that we could see the glow of their cigarettes, their steaming tea cups and their guns pointing in our direction. Although our whole bodies were shaking with fear, we simply prayed to the Three Jewels and went on.

It took two hours to get through the Chinese lines, and it was certainly due to the blessing of the refuge that they didn't catch us. The Tibetans that accompanied me were overwhelmed and very thankful. They thought it was a miracle. On our way to India we didn't see anyone for three weeks. It was only near the Indian border that we met a few resistance fighters. One of them was sick, folded up in great pain. He requested us as lamas to help him. So I prayed for him, gave him blessings and shortly thereafter he recovered. The resistance fighters relayed a message to the next post that a great Lama was on the way and that they should do everything to help him. In this way all difficulties were overcome. (...)

(...) I discovered that the Karmapa was presently in Rumtek (his Indian seat), so I went there with a friend. (...) he told me that he would be travelling to the West during that same year visiting many countries. The Karmapa wanted to find out whether there would be an openness for the Buddha's teachings in the West. The Karmapa said to me, "If the general development in the West is positive, then you will have to go. You shouldn't protest and insist that you would prefer to stay here. I told the Bhutanese minister for internal affairs that you would need a passport and he has already begun to take the necessary steps. If I have the impression that the Dharma could flourish in the West, I will then know whether America or France is more suitable. You should then establish a Dharma centre and a monastery there. The decision is made and you shouldn't resist."

(...) I sat there absolutely speechless. I thought to myself, "What can I say ? - I don't know anything."(...). Tobga Rinpoche asked what had happened and I told him, "The Karmapa said I should go to a place called Europe". Tobga Rinpoche replied, "That's how it should be. You should go to the West". I replied, "If that's the way it is, then I say No. I will apologise to the Karmapa and tell him that I cannot go." I asked Tobgala to lend me his car because I immediately wanted to clarify this with the Karmapa. However, he said, "You won't be able to change anything. I have already spoken with the Karmapa about this, and even the minister of internal affairs has tried to change the Karmapa's mind. Nevertheless, the Karmapa insists that you must travel to the West. If you go and see him now asking him not to send you, it will only make him unhappy." This is what made me give up the idea to go and see the Karmapa again. Shortly afterwards Karmapa left to travel to the West.

Karmapa sent...