The Karma Kagyu Lineage

The Karma Kagyu lineage is one of the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a lineage of direct oral transmission and treasures meditation and view as a means to attain enlightenment. The Karma Kagyu methods originate from the historical Buddha Shakyamuni and were given to his closest students. They were later passed on through the Indian Mahasiddhas, Tilopa, Naropa, Maitripa, and the famous Tibetan yogis Marpa and Milarepa. In the 12th century, Gampopa taught the first Gyalwa Karmapa, whose successive incarnations have kept these teachings powerful and vibrant over centuries.

The Gyalwa Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, and is often called the Black Hat Lama of Tibet. The Karmapa was the first recognized reincarnation in Tibetan history and is revered for his spiritual power throughout Tibet. Second to the Karmapa is the Shamarpa, who is the lineage holder between Karmapa's incarnations. They are known as the Black Hat and Red Hat Karmapas and their minds are considered inseparable.

H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, fled the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959 and thus secured the survival of the Karma Kagyu lineage. With the help of his Western students, he brought the unique teachings about the nature of mind to the West. He is legendary for his exuberant joyfulness, profound insight, and powerful presence. Those who met him were known to be deeply touched and irrevocably changed.

The transmission of the lineage continues today with H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Thaye Dorje, who in 1994 at the age of ten, was recognized as such by H.H. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche. In December 1999 at the age of sixteen, he embarked on his first international teaching tour and gave initiations to over 15,000 of his students in Europe and Southeast Asia. Karmapa Thaye Dorje is impressive and confident in his role as a worldwide Buddhist spiritual leader. H.H. the 17th Karmapa currently resides in India where he continues his spiritual training and western education.