Karmapa returns from Germany religious tour

The 17th Karmapa, the third most important Tibetan religious head, Tuesday reached Delhi after a fortnight-long religious tour of Germany, one his aides said.

This was 28-year-old Ogyen Trinley Dorje's first visit to Europe where he met Jewish and Catholic leaders, besides interacting with his followers.

Throughout his teachings in Germany, the Karmapa reiterated his concern for the environment and his appeal for a world with less greed and more compassion, Karmapa's spokesperson Kunzang Chungyalpa told IANS.

Stressing on personal responsibility towards the environment, he said: "We should never exploit the world we live in for the purpose of short-term benefits."

The Karmapa, who now resides in a monastery on the outskirts of Dharamsala where the Tibetan government-in-exile is headquartered, left for Germany May 25. He has travelled to the US in 2008, his only visit abroad since he fled Tibet.

Making headlines after a dramatic flight from Tibet to India in January 2000 when he was just 14-year-old, the Karmapa has emerged as a strong leader and retains a close relationship of mentor and protege with the Dalai Lama.

The Karmapa is the head of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu lineage, which he worked to modernise while remaining faithful to the authentic teachings of the Buddha.

The Tibetan government-in-exile is based in Dharamsala but not recognised by any country in the world.