A Brief History of the Karmapas

The Gyalwa Karmapas are unique among the great Lamas of Tibet, having reached full enlightenment centuries ago. Karmapa means "man of action," a master of karma. He is an emanation of the compassionate bodhisattva Chenrezig (Loving Eyes). The Karmapas embody the activity of all Buddhas and were prophesied by Buddha Shakyamuni and by Guru Rinpoche. Karmapa spent many lifetimes as a yogi in India. From the year 1110 to the present day he has taken successive conscious rebirths as the Karmapa or the "Black Hat Lama". He was the first recognized incarnate Lama (tulku) of Tibet. The 16th Karmapa, Ranjung Rigpe Dorje, had to flee Tibet in 1959 due to the Chinese destruction of his motherland, thus securing the further transmission of the Karma Kagyu lineage. With the help of his Western students, he brought the knowledge about the nature of mind to the modern world. Before his death each Karmapa leaves detailed instructions about the exact conditions of his next birth.He is now in his 17th incarnation, as Karmapa Thaye Dorje.

1. Dusum Kyenpa, 1110 - 1193
2. Karma Pakshi, 1204 - 1283
3. Rangjung Dorje, 1284 - 1339
4. Rolpe Dorje, 1340 - 1383
5. Deshin Shegpa, 1384 - 1415
6. Tongwa Donden, 1416 - 1453
7. Chodrag Gyamtso, 1454 - 1506
8. Michyo Dorje, 1507, - 1554
9. Wangchuk Dorje , 1556 - 1603
10. Choying Dorje, 1604 - 1674
11. Yeshe Dorje, 1676 - 1702
12. Changchub Dorje, 1703 - 1732
13. Dudul Dorje, 1733 - 1797
14. Thegchog Dorje, 1798 - 1868
15. Khakhyab Dorje, 1871 - 1922
16. Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 1924 - 1981
17. Thaye Dorje, 1983 - present