The Karmapa
From the Karmapa America 2015 website:
“As the spiritual head of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, has emerged as an important thought leader for our time. Since his dramatic escape from Tibet to India in 2000, the Karmapa has played a key role in preserving Tibetan religion and culture. He has been described as “a world spiritual leader for the 21st century,” and has inspired millions of people worldwide to take action on social and environmental issues. At the age of 29, the Karmapa’s message has particularly resonated with young people, whom he encourages to take responsibility to create a more compassionate future for the planet. “Karmapa” literally means “He Who Performs the Activities of the Buddha” and the Karmapa lineage itself is known for putting Buddhist principles into action. The Khoryug association that he founded has transformed over 55 monasteries across the Himalayan region into local centers for environmental activism. Leading on women’s issues, in January 2015 the Karmapa made the historic announcement that he will establish full ordination for women, a long-awaited step within Tibetan Buddhism. In his latest book, The Heart Is Noble: Changing the World from the Inside Out, the Karmapa speaks to the younger generation on the major challenges facing society today, including gender issues, food justice, rampant consumerism and the environmental crisis. He is currently working on a subsequent book based on his interactions with American university students, which discusses how to live according to the principle of interdependence in an era of technological connectivity and emotional disconnection.”In addition to leading His spiritual lineage, He actively engages through many channels to support issues facing this modern world:
- Reaching Out to Youth
- Music, Art and Poetry
- Environmental and Social Activism