Karmapa – The Official Website of the 17th Karmapa Karmapa – The Official Website of the 17th Karmapa Karmapa – The Official Website of the 17th Karmapa Karmapa – The Official Website of the 17th Karmapa
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Karmapa – The Official Website of the 17th Karmapa Karmapa – The Official Website of the 17th Karmapa
  • The Karmapa
    • A Short Biography
    • The Lineage of Karmapas
    • Activities & Projects
  • Teachings
    • YouTube Archive
    • Video Library
    • Podcast
  • News
  • Schedule
  • Buddhism
    • Shakyamuni Buddha
    • Buddhism in India
    • Buddhism in Tibet
    • Kagyu Lineage
    • The Golden Rosary
  • Centers
    • North America
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Oceania
    • Africa
    • South America
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    • Media
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Jul 31

Religious Freedom is a Fundamental Right

U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington, D.C.
July 27, 2018

From July 24 to 26, 2018, the USIP held a conference that focused on concrete solutions to the problems of religious freedom worldwide. On the following day, a conference was jointly convened by the USIP, the International Republican Institute, and Search for Common Ground to explore countering violent extremism and interfaith peace-building. His Holiness was the lead speaker on the latter panel. After expressing his thanks for being invited and mentioning that he had previously visited the USIP, His Holiness spoke about religion and choice.

“First of all I think religious freedom is one of our most fundamental human rights,” he said. “It is one of the most important since the presence or absence of religious freedom not only affects those who are religious: since it is a matter of choice, religious freedom gives to those who choose to be religious and those who choose not to be religious the equal right to live according to their choice.

“The question remains, however, of how we can practically implement and ensure our religious freedom. For example, I meet many people for whom religion can be an issue even within their family. The parents might be Buddhist yet their children could be drawn to Christianity. Since the parents would like their children to share their faith, the situation could become uncomfortable.

“The fact remains that spirituality, including religious spirituality, is a very personal issue; it is a question of the inclinations in each person’s individual mind—the choices they make and feelings they have. Religion is often presented as a tradition that has to be followed, such as that of our parents. It is essential, however, to respect the feelings of our own mind, yet sometimes we do not accord these sensitivities enough importance.

For this reason, when we practice a religion, we should not just copy others or blindly follow some custom. Spiritual practice must be a way for each of us as, an individual in touch with our own mind, to give meaning to our life and come to an understanding of the fundamental meaning and value of our life. Having access to a religious tradition should feel like an opportunity to explore our inner world and develop our spiritual values, and not like something that has been imposed upon us. Religious leaders have the responsibility, therefore, to make people aware of this inner search and also to present the fact that religious freedom is an innate right, and not something that can be given or withheld.”

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[ long read ]

MIND TRAINING TEACHING
The Gyalwang Karmapa gave an extensive teaching on the 8 Verses of Training the Mind

[ video series ]

THE PRAJNAPARAMITA
Taught over six sessions, this is a direct explanation of the Buddhist view of emptiness

[ long read ]

THE CHENREZIK PRACTICE
The Gyalwang Karmapa taught on how to practice Chenrezik and recite his mantra

[ video series ]

100 SHORT INSTRUCTIONS
Taught over nine sessions, this text by the 8th Karmapa was taught in great depth by the present Karmapa.

[ long read ]

THREE PRINCIPLE ASPECTS
A comprehensive teaching that condenses the entire Buddhist path by Tsongkhapa

 

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About the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is the head of the 900 year old Karma Kagyu Lineage and guide to millions of Buddhists around the world.

Born in 1985, the Karmapa resides in his temporary home at Gyuto Monastery in India after making a dramatic escape from Tibet in the year 2000.

Traveling the world, the Karmapa skillfully teaches traditional Tibetan Buddhist Dharma while also advocating topics such as environmental conservation, feminism, digitization of the Dharma, and much more.

Please use the icons below to find the Karmapa on social media maintained by his office of administration.

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