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Karmapa rules out political role for himself

The 17th Karmapa Lama, a key figure in Tibetan Buddhism, Friday ruled out a political role for himself but said he fully endorsed Dalai Lama's stand on Tibet.

Addressing his first press conference in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, since his dramatic escape from Tibet in December 1999, 16-year-old Ogyen Trinlay Dorjee sought the Indian government's permission to travel to Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, the headquarters of Kagyu sect of Buddhism to which he belongs.

"I will not indulge in political activities but endorse and support everything His Holiness the Dalai Lama stands for," he said.

"The Dalai Lama stands for universal love, compassion and non-violence and is the supreme leader of Tibet," the Karmapa said.

Though he did not want to involve himself in politics like his predecessors, he would help Dalai Lama in every possible way to preserve religious and cultural heritage of Tibet, he said.

In line with the tradition of Karma Kagyu, he would not engage in political activity but "it is of paramount importance that I shall be allowed to go to Rumtek Monastery", the Karmapa said.

Hoping the Indian government would soon accede his request to allow him to go to Rumtek monastery, the Karmapa said his predecessor Rangjung Rigpe Dorjee after fleeing from Tibet had settled there establishing the Dharam Chakra centre, the important place for Kagyu sect outside Tibet.

He also appealed to the government to permit him to visit other countries to meet his disciples and fulfil their spiritual needs. He said an application in this regard had been submitted to proper authorities.

The Karmapa said the decision to leave Tibet was his own as he wanted to pursue his study of texts and transmission of Kagyu practices in India.

Thanking the Dalai Lama for his guidance and support and the Indian government for granting him refugee status, the Karmapa said this had paved the way for continuation of his studies under Tai Situ Rinpoche, Gyaltsap Rinpoche and other major Lamas to enable him to take over responsibilities as head of Kagyu sect.

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The 17th Karmapa

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