On November 11, 2010, the website of the so-called Taiwan Drikung Kagyu Umbrella Association posted two photographs of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang, taken in June 2010, during lunch at the Yang Ming Shan restaurant with Drikung Kagyu Rinpoches and a few lamas present in Taiwan. A statement ran along with this picture, asserting that the Taiwan Drikung Kagyu Umbrella Association was established in June 2010 under the guidance of H.H. Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang. This claim is not accurate.

In general, to date no one has been granted permission to establish a Drikung Kagyu umbrella organization of any kind in any region for the more than one hundred Drikung Kagyu Dharma Centers around the world. In particular, the establishment of a Drikung Kagyu umbrella organization in Taiwan was indeed requested during an audience with His Holiness but the request was rejected. Neither was any guidance given nor were documents authorizing the establishment of an umbrella organization granted. The meal at Yang Ming Shan was attended by H.H. the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang at the request of the resident Drikung Kagyu Rinpoches and lamas of Taiwan exclusively as a farewell dinner before his departure from Taiwan.

Konchok Jamyang
Secretary
The Office of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang