On December 28, 1999, under the cover of a dark night, my senior attendant and I escaped from my monastery in Tibet and fled to India to seek refuge. The decision to leave my homeland, monastery, monks, parents, family, and the Tibetan people was entirely my own–no one told me to go and no one asked me to come. I left my country to impart the Buddha’s teachings in general and, in particular, to receive the excellent empowerments, transmissions, and instructions of my own Karma Kagyu tradition. These I could only receive from the main disciples of the previous Karmapa, Situ Rinpoche and Gyaltsap Rinpoche, who were predicted to be my teachers and who reside in India.
1999年12月28日，在黑夜籠罩下，我和幾位貼身侍從，離開了我在西藏的寺院出走到印度。離開家鄉、寺院、僧眾、父母、家庭和西藏人民的決定，完全是我個人的決定。沒有人告訴我要離開，也沒有人叫我來此。我離開我的家鄉是為了弘揚佛法， 另一方面是為了接受噶瑪噶舉傳承深奧的灌頂、口傳和教授，這些我只能從上一世​​噶瑪巴的弟子得到，他們是大司徒仁波切和國師嘉察仁波切。他們兩位都曾被預言是我的老師，目前都住在印度。

There have been various reports in the press about my escape, and so I will simply and briefly tell the truth about my journey.
關於我的出離，媒體上有各種的報導，所以在此我想要簡單扼要地把過程真相向各位說明。

In great secrecy, my companions and I made our plans, using various stories to cover our true activities. For example, when the preparations were complete, I announced that I was entering a traditional, strict retreat and would not come out for some days. This story worked and prevented us from being pursued right away.
在嚴格保密中，我和同伴們作好計劃，並以各種說法來掩飾我們的行動。譬如，準備就緒即將行動之前，我宣佈我要依傳統方式嚴格的閉關，數日之內不出關。這個方法有效防止了被馬上追查。

On December 28, around 10:30 at night, my attendant and I slowly climbed down from my room and jumped onto the roof of the Protector Mahakala’s shrine room. From this building, we leapt to the ground where a jeep was waiting nearby with Lama Tsultrim and a driver. We left immediately. The story had been given out that Lama Tsultrim and his companions were going on a journey. As if preparing for this, they had driven in and out of the monastery several times during the day, and, therefore, everyone knew about this trip and we could easily leave. Usually, the monastery was strictly guarded, but no twenty-four hour guards were posted and we also left through a side road.
12月28日，約晚上10:30分， 我和侍從從我房中悄悄地走出來，從窗口跳到瑪哈嘎拉護法殿的屋頂上，再從那裡跳下地面。一輛吉普車由喇嘛竹清駕駛已在等候。之前我們早已告訴大家，喇嘛竹清和他的朋友準備外出旅行。為了使人相信，他們在白天已進出寺院多次，所以大家都知道他們要遠行，因此我們可以很容易的離開。通常，寺院有嚴格的監控，但是並沒有24小時的警衛人員值班，而我們也選擇從一條邊路離開。

After a while, Lama Tsewang and another driver joined us at a designated place. We decided to head directly towards western Tibet since few travelers used this road and the check posts were not so strictly guarded. Driving day and night, we stopped only to change drivers. By taking back roads through the hills and valleys, we evaded check posts and two army camps. Through the power of my prayers to the Buddha and through his compassion, we were not discovered and arrived in Mustang, Nepal, on the morning of December 30, 1999. Continuing the journey on foot and horseback, we crossed over several passes and finally reached Manang as I had planned. This part was extremely difficult and exhausting due to the poor and often dangerous condition of the paths and the freezing cold weather. During this time, I was tired and not very well physically, yet despite the difficulties, I was completely determined to reach my goal.
不久喇嘛財旺和另一位駕駛在指定地點和我們會合，我們決定駛向西藏西部。因為很少人走這條路，因此路檢也不會太嚴密。除了停下來換駕駛外，我們晝夜不停地開車。我們選擇山路小徑以避開路檢站和兩個軍營。經由我向佛的祈請以及佛的慈悲，我們沒有被發現。順利地，於1999年12月30日的早晨我們到達了尼泊爾的慕斯坦(Mustang)。我們繼續徒步或騎馬，通過了幾個關卡，終於到了我們計劃中的地點瑪囊(Manang)。因為路況非常不好，危險的小路，加上冰冷的氣候，這一段路程格外地困難和累人。在那時候，我非常累，身體也不適，但是儘管有如此多的困難，我下定決心一定要達成我的目標。

Once in Manang, a close friend of Lama Tsewang Tashi helped us hire a helicopter. We landed in a place of Nepal known as Nagarkot and then went by car to Rauxal. From there, we traveled by train to Lucknow and continued with a rented car to Delhi, arriving at last in Dharamsala early on the morning of January 5, 2000. I went straight to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the very embodiment of compassion, and he received me with his great love and affection. My joy knew no bounds.
到了瑪囊，喇嘛財旺的好朋友幫我們租了一駕直升機，我們在尼泊爾拿嘎柯(Tagarkot)降落。我們乘車去羅賽(Rauxal)，從那裡乘火車到陸高(Lucknow)。在2000年1月5日清晨終於到達了達蘭沙拉(Dharamsala)。我直接去覲見尊貴的達賴喇嘛，他是慈悲的化身，他以慈愛和關懷接受我，我非常開心。

Ever since my arrival, the Dalai Lama has given his continual and generous assistance. Following his wishes, the Office of Religion and Culture from the Tibetan Government in Exile has made arrangements for my temporary stay at Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University. Situ Rinpoche, Gyaltsap Rinpoche, and other major Kagyu lamas, in addition to reincarnate lamas and followers from all the other traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, have come to visit and kindly shown their concern for my well being. This was a source of great happiness for me.
自從我到印度，尊貴的達賴喇嘛一直給我慷慨的支持。依照尊者的指示，西藏流亡政府宗教文化部安排我住在上密院(Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University)。大司徒仁波切、國師嘉察仁波切和多位噶舉上師，以及西藏各傳承的祖古和其弟子們也都來拜訪，並表示對我的關切，對此我感到非常地高興。

Pursuing my aim in fleeing Tibet, I am now receiving from Situ Rinpoche and Gyaltsap Rinpoche all the empowerments and transmissions of the Kagyu lineage that are possible under these present circumstances. Kyabje Thrangu Rinpoche and other Kagyu masters are teaching me the treatises of the Buddhist philosophical tradition. In this way, I am preparing for my life’s work to teach and study Buddhism and to encourage compassion and wisdom within the hearts of all beings.
為了達成我離開西藏的目的，我現在從大司徒仁波切、國師嘉察仁波切處接受所有的噶舉傳承灌頂和法教，也只有在目前此種情況下才有可能。創古仁波切和很多位噶舉大師教授我佛教經論，如此，我在為我今生的任務作準備，教導及學習佛法，和激發眾生心中本具的慈悲和智慧。

In 1959, my previous incarnation, HH the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, was also forced to flee Tibet and come to India as a refugee. He settled in Sikkim and, with the assistance of the Central Government and the State Government of Sikkim, he was able to build the Dharmachakra Center, Rumtek Monastery, which became the basis for his worldwide activity. It was venerated and famous everywhere as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage. Therefore, HH the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Government in Exile, Tibetan people from all over the world, and the Buddhist community of India, in addition to almost all Kagyu lamas and members of their Dharma centers, consider it extremely important that I go to my main seat in Rumtek. They have made repeated requests that I be able to do so. From my point of view, going to Rumtek Monastery would be like returning home to continue the activity of my predecessor. This is why I consider it so important.
1959年，我的前世尊貴的第十六世噶瑪巴讓烱日佩多傑，也被迫離開西藏來到印度流亡。他在錫金定居，並得到錫金中央政府和地方政府的支持，他興建了隆德的法輪中心，成為他向世界弘法的中心，此中心已是舉世聞名的噶舉傳承的主寺。因此，尊貴的達賴喇嘛、西藏流亡政府、全世界的藏民、印度的佛教界、所有的噶舉傳承喇嘛和法輪中心的弟子們，都一致認為我回去隆德主寺是非常重要，他們一再請求我回去主寺。對我來說，回到隆德寺就像回家一樣，繼續我前世的弘法事業，這是為什麼我認為此事是非常重要。

I am fully confident that I will be able to go there since Sikkim is a state of India. I am also confident that just as my predecessor did, I will be able to travel abroad to meet my numerous disciples and fulfill their spiritual needs. With this end in mind, I have submitted an application to the proper authorities.
我很有信心我會回去主寺，因為錫金是印度的一邦。我也非常相信我會和我的前世一樣到全世界旅行會見弟子們，和滿足他們心靈上的需要。因此，我也已經向有關單位正式提出申請。

I am especially grateful to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Government in Exile, and the people and Government of India, all of whom have shown great kindness and generosity in providing for my stay in India. With great appreciation and respect, I offer them my thanks.
我特別感謝尊貴的達賴喇嘛、西藏流亡政府、印度政府和人民。他們的關懷和仁慈讓我能居留在印度，我以極高的敬意表達我的感謝。

In the past, the Gyalwa Karmapas did not engage in political activity and I can do nothing but follow in their footsteps. Concerning the future path of Tibet and the Tibetan people, I endorse and fully support everything that His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama stands for. Embodying universal love, compassion, and nonviolence, he is the supreme leader of Tibet and the champion of world peace and human rights.
在過去，歷代嘉華噶瑪巴沒有涉及政治活動，我也會遵循他們的足跡。至於西藏和西藏人民的未來，我認同及全力支持尊貴的達賴喇嘛的立場。他代表博愛、慈悲和非暴力，他是西藏至高的領導者，而且是世界和平、人權的倡導者。

Recently, HH the Dalai Lama and my disciples in Sikkim and the rest of India, in addition to disciples and centers abroad, made earnest and repeated requests to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Foreign Minister to grant refugee status to myself and those with me. After due consideration, the Indian Government decided to grant us refugee status.
最近，尊貴的達賴喇嘛和我在錫金、印度及全世界各中心的弟子們，都誠懇的向印度總理、內政部部長，外交部部長，請求他們給我和隨行的人「難民身份」 。印度政府經過考慮之後，決定給予我們「難民身份」。

With this new status, I was able to go on pilgrimage for five weeks, visiting major sites of Buddhism in the sacred land of India. In these places, I gave blessings and initiations according to the wishes of numerous disciples who came from near and far.
有了這個新的身份，我得以五星期的時間去印度佛教聖地朝聖。在這些聖地時，我接見並祝福來自各地的無數信眾和弟子們。

Today, many people from the media in the East and West have come here for this press meeting. I consider it a precious occasion and give my thanks to each and every one of you. I thought it was important that the world know the true story and my true purpose in coming here. This was not possible until now, however, due to circumstances beyond my control. I hope that after this press meeting today, you will sincerely help everyone to know the truth. Tashi Delek.
今天，很多東西方的媒體來參加這個記者會，我覺得是一個難得的機緣來向各位致謝意。我認為讓全世界知道我的真實故事，和我來此的真實原因是非常重要的。然而，因為很多情況超出我所能控制，所以直到現在才得以實現。我希望，在今天記者會之後，你們能真誠地幫助大家知道事情的真相。札西德勒（吉祥如意）！