What is our responsibility as a human being in this day and age?

In my case, when I was a child, before I turned seven, I was just like any other child. I spent my life as a very ordinary child, not different from anyone else.

When I was given the name of Karmapa, I did not suddenly become something different, as if I was given an injection, or some kind of special drink. It was not like that. I had to study a lot, I had to work very hard to build up the qualities of being the Karmapa.

And, from the perspective of someone who was ordinary child, I feel that all of us have these same responsibilities. I feel that we all have responsibility for ourselves, we have responsibilities for the welfare of our families and friends, and we also have responsibility for all the people of the world. 

We all have these responsibilities.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

From Kamashila
Short-Ngon-dro teaching
Germany, 2014