Although I have not reached the fullest altruistic potential,

I have no intentions of harming others.

The means of achieving freedom of Tibet for others,

I feel rests on us without relying on others.

This is the thought of an insignificant man,

Who was first conceived and born in the Land of Snow,

But I have spent most of my life in India’s holy land.

Although I entered into a spiritual life,

The karmic forces have thrown me into politics.

Neither expecting power nor position,

Nor do I have enemies to defeat or friends to protect,

I, the drifter, have no need of politics.

Yearning for world-peace, I have blurted out these words.

-- 5th Samdhong Rinpoche, Lobsang Tenzin