Senior Tibetan lama gives up monkhood to marry childhood friend in Delhi

A senior Tibetan lama at the centre of a long-running row over one of Buddhism's most important titles has abandoned the monkhood altogether after marrying a childhood friend in Delhi, his office said on Thursday.

Thaye Dorje, 33, has 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 Trinley, who is also recognised by the Dalai Lama.

The disagreement has long split Tibetan Buddhists, but on Thursday Thaye Dorje's office made the surprise announcement that he had married in a private ceremony in New Delhi on March 25, and abandoned monkhood.

"I have a strong feeling, deep within my heart, that my decision to marry will have a positive impact not only for me, but also for the lineage," the statement quoted Thaye Dorje as saying.