Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje stands as the head of the Karma Kagyu school, one of the four principal schools of Tibetan Buddhism, yet his activity consistently reaches beyond the boundaries of his own lineage. Recognized and endorsed by the 14th Dalai Lama as the 17th Karmapa, he occupies a position that is at once rooted in a specific transmission and open to wider currents within the Buddhist world. His relationship with the Dalai Lama is often described in terms of a mentor–student bond, and they appear together at teachings, public events, and pan-Tibetan gatherings. Through this connection, he participates in broader efforts for Tibetan cultural preservation and supports approaches that seek dialogue and moderation in relation to Tibet. This close association with the Dalai Lama also situates him within a larger, pan-sectarian Tibetan context rather than a narrowly Kagyu one.

His ties with other Tibetan Buddhist schools reflect a similar non-sectarian spirit. He maintains respectful and collaborative relations with leaders of the Gelug, Nyingma, and Sakya traditions, joining them in joint prayer assemblies, inter-sectarian gatherings, and preservation initiatives. In these contexts, he both receives and offers teachings across lineages, embodying an approach that values mutual enrichment over rivalry. Such engagement illustrates a deliberate commitment to unity among Tibetan schools, where shared responsibility for the Dharma and Tibetan culture takes precedence over institutional boundaries. This stance echoes the broader non-sectarian ethos that has periodically emerged within Tibetan history.

Beyond the Tibetan sphere, the Karmapa cultivates relationships with a wide range of Buddhist traditions. He engages in dialogue with Theravāda leaders, Zen and Chan masters, and other Mahāyāna teachers, often in the setting of international Buddhist conferences and inter-tradition forums. In these encounters, he emphasizes universal Buddhist principles—such as compassion, ethical conduct, and contemplative practice—that can be appreciated across doctrinal differences. His presence in such gatherings positions him as a bridge figure, linking Tibetan Buddhism with the wider global Buddhist community and encouraging mutual understanding among diverse schools.

This broad network of relationships is not merely institutional; it is also thematic and ethical. The Karmapa collaborates with other Buddhist leaders on issues such as environmental protection and social responsibility, using shared Buddhist values as a basis for common action. He participates in interfaith settings as well, standing alongside other religious representatives while articulating a distinctly Buddhist vision of compassion and nonviolence. Through these varied engagements, his teaching style consistently highlights elements of the Dharma that transcend sectarian identity, while still remaining faithful to the Karma Kagyu lineage. In this way, his role may be seen as both guardian of a particular tradition and participant in a wider, evolving conversation among Buddhists worldwide.