H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924 -1981), was born in Derge province in eastern Tibet. The 15th Karmapa, Khakhyab Dorje (1871-1922), left a letter before his departure setting forth the circumstances of his new incarnation. On the basis of this letter the authorities of the Tsurphu monastery were able to successfully locate the child.

In 1931 the young incarnate was ordained as a novice monk in Palpung monastery. At the same time he was offered the Karmapa's ceremonial robes and the Black Hat. The enthronement ceremony was visited by thousands of pilgrims gathered to pay homage to H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa on this auspicious occasion. Later he traveled to Tsurphu, visiting many monasteries and places of pilgrimage on the way, where the Black Hat ceremony was first performed in this lifetime. The rainbows were everywhere and many flowers fell down from the sky. Thousands were witnesses to this astonishing and auspicious event.

Karmapa studied in Tsurphu monastery for four years deepening his meditative realization of Sutra, Tantra, Mahamudra and Six Yogas of Naropa. He was a boy of an extraordinary natural insight displayed on many occasions since his very birth. He often told his teachers about his previous incarnations and many saw him performing miracles for the benefit of others.

In 1944 Karmapa made pilgrimage to many powerful places in South Tibet, where he had marvelous visions of Marpa, Jetsun Milarepa and Gampopa. Invited by the King of Bhutan, Karmapa visited the country performing the Black Hat ceremony for hundreds of devotees.

At the age of 23 Karmapa received his final ordination along with the initiations and explanations of the highest Kagyu teachings. Then he traveled to Nepal visiting all the main places of pilgrimage and bestowed his blessings upon thousands.

In 1959, due to the occupation of Tibet, Karmapa decided to flee his country, realizing that the cause of the Dharma would be served the best by escaping the ever-tightening grips of the Communist China. Accordingly, accompanied by an entourage of 160 Lamas, monks and laymen, Karmapa left Tsurphu monastery, the ancient seat of the Karmapas since the 12th century, and proceeded towards Bhutan. Under the Karmapa's guidance the party was able to take along the most precious of the sacred statues, ritual items, relics, thangkas and books, which had been preserved at Tsurphu monastery over the centuries. During their treacherous 21-day journey, the rites were performed at various sacred places on the way, for the welfare of all sentient beings and for the preservation of the Buddhist Dharma in the difficult times ahead.

Upon their arrival, the ruler of the state of Sikkim in North-Western India offered the Karmapa the Rumtek monastery, which was built during the time of Karmapa's 9th incarnation, Wangchuk Dorje (1556 -1603). The place was in ruins and it took four years to rebuild it with the generous help of Indian Government and the ruler of Sikkim. Designed in the most beautiful traditional Tibetan style the new Rumtek monastery was called 'The Seat of His Holiness The Gyalwa Karmapa: A Center for the Teaching and Practice of the Dharma.' From here Karmapa started his work in exile by taking full responsibility for rekindling and revitalizing the torch of the Dharma, with the material and spiritual co-operation of many Buddhists throughout the world.

In 1974 Karmapa led a party of Kagyu Lamas to the West, visiting Europe, America and Canada, and for the first time people in the West had the chance to see the Black Hat ritual, which was performed on a number of occasions. In this way he was able to establish direct contact with his students overseas and to spread his teachings more widely. To all those seeking the Way of Dharma he acted, as in his previous incarnations, as a guide, teacher, friend and true example.

Invited by his first Western disciples Ole and Hannah Nydahl, Karmapa arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark in December of 1974. Then he visited nearly every major city in Europe. At that time many Buddhist centers were founded by him and later by Ole and Hannah Nydahl. In November of 1976 Karmapa arrived in New York for his first tour through the USA, thus sowing the seeds of the future Dharma activity. In May of 1980 he again visited the West, stopping for lectures and ceremonies in London, New York, San Francisco, and then Boulder, Colorado.

In July of 1981 Karmapa began the reconstruction of temples and meditation centers. He had thousands of Dharma texts printed and distributed. Even during the last months of his life he worked hard to spread the Dharma.

H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, died in the USA in the hospital near Chicago on November 5th 1981, at 8:30 p.m. His death was the last teaching on impermanence.

Selected Teachings

• Heart of the Mahamudra

www.karmapa.org - website of the Gyalwa Karmapas