The Karmapa lineage was prophesied by the
Shakyamuni Buddha who said that approximately 1600 years after
his death, an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva
of Compassion would be born. Karmapa literally means "one
who manifests buddha-activity" and the activity of the
Karmapa is to preserve and spread the essence of the teachings
of all the Buddhas. The Buddha predicted the Karmapa would
propagate the teachings during the course of many successive
incarnations. The Karmapas, also known as the 'Black Hat Lamas'
were the first line of incarnate lamas to appear in Tibet.
The Karmapas have been the spiritual heads of the Karma Kagyu
lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism since the 12th century and have
worked tirelessly for the benefit of all sentient beings. The
16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981), was
instrumental in introducing Vajrayana Buddhism in the West.
The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje was born in Tibet
in 1983. He is the son of Mipham Rinpoche, a renowned master
of the Nyingma school and Dechen Wangmo, the daughter of
a noble family descended from King Gesar of Ling. In keeping
with the tradition of the Karmapas recognizing themselves,
as a very young child, Thaye Dorje repeatedly proclaimed
he
was the Karmapa. In 1994, Shamar Rinpoche, the second highest
lama of the Kagyu lineage, officially recognized the Karmapa
according to centuries-old spiritual tradition.
For the past ten years, the Karmapa has lived in India
and France where he has undergone rigorous spiritual training
under the direction of Shamar Rinpoche. In 2003, the title
'Vidyadhara' was bestowed upon the Karmapa to mark the
completion of his education and his mastery of the sutras
and tantras and the traditions of the Kagyu lineage. Karmapa
holds empowerments of Buddhist Tantras brought to Tibet
by Marpa, the Mahamudra teachings from the Mahasiddha traditions
of Saraha and Maitripa, and the Six Yogas of Naropa, as
well as other profound teachings.
In addition to his intensive spiritual training, the Karmapa
frequently travels throughout Europe, Southeast Asia and the
US to give teachings and empowerments to the multitudes of
people seeking his wisdom and blessing.
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