The Karma Kagyu lineage is one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a lineage of direct oral transmission from teacher to student, and treasures meditation and one's view in life 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 and Maitripa. After Muslim conquerors destroyed the Indian culture around 1,000 AD, the teachings lived on through the famous Tibetan yogis Marpa and Milarepa. In the 12th century, Gampopa taught the first Gyalwa Karmapa, whose successive incarnations have kept these teachings alive.

The Gyalwa Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage. 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 acts as the lineage holder between the Karmapa's incarnations. The Karmapas and the Shamarpas are known as the Black Hat and Red Hat Karmapas, and their minds are considered inseparable.

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 joyfulness, profound insight, and powerful presence.

The transmission of the lineage continues today with Gyalwa Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje, who in 1994 at the age of ten, was recognized as the 17th Karmapa by Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche. In December 1999, he embarked on his first international teaching tour and gave initiations to over 15,000 of his students in Europe and Southeast Asia. In the summer of 2003 he conducted his first official program in the United States, giving empowerments and teachings in San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. The 17th Karmapa currently resides in India, where he continues his spiritual training and Western education.