Lama abandons monkhood to marry friend

‘Reincarnation’ of Karmapa will still offer teachings

NEW DELHI // A senior Tibetan lama has abandoned monkhood after marrying a childhood friend in India, his office said yesterday.

The office of Thay Dorje, 33, yesterday made the surprise announcement that he had married in a private ceremony in New Delhi on March 25 and abandoned the monkhood.

“I have a strong feeling, deep within my heart, that my decision to marry will have a positive impact for me and for the lineage,” said the statement.

“Something beneficial will emerge for all of us.”

Mr Dorje claimed since childhood to be the reincarnation of the Karmapa Lama, the leader of one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

But many adherents of the Karma Kagyu school of Buddhism follow another monk with a rival claim to the title, Urgyen Trin- ley, who is recognised by the Dalai Lama. The disagreement has long split Tibetan Buddhists.

Mr Dore will continue to fulfil the role of the Karmapa, which includes offering teachings to students around the world, his office said.

His new wife, 36- year- old Rinchen Yangzom, was born in Bhutan and educated in India and Europe. Under Tibetan tradition, monks identify a young boy who shows signs he is a reincarnation of a late leader. Mr Dorje was born in Tibet and his father was a high lama, while his mother was a descendant of Tibetan nobility.

According to his official biography, he was just one- and- ahalf years old when he started telling people that he was the Karmapa.

In a 2012 interview, he said the disagreement over the Karmapa title tested one’s courage in terms of devotion. The Karmapa Lama is not the only senior Tibetan Buddhist title to be disputed.