Being the mind emanation of the Buddha Amithaba, Shamarpa is one of the highest consciously reborn masters of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The reincarnation lines of Karmapas and Shamarpas stood in closest connection for a long time in Tibet. The first Shamar Rinpoche, Khedrup Trakpe Senge (1283-1349), was the pricipal disciple of the 3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje. His second incarnation, Kacho Wangpo, received the Red Crown from the 4th Karmapa, Rolpe Dorje, an exact replica of his own Black Crown. This was to be a symbol of their identicalness. With the Red Crown, the Karmapa bestowed on him the name, "The Shamarpa - The One With The Red Crown." Since then one even spoke of two Karmapas, the black hat and the red hat Karmapas, always alternating as a teacher and a student throughout centuries. As stated in the Good Kalpa Sutra: "In future, a Mahabodhisattva with a ruby red crown will come to the suffering multitude, leading them out of their cyclic bewilderment and misery." In the Shamarpa, the Sakyamuni's prediction was fulfilled.

H.H. the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, Mipam Chokyi Lodro, was born in 1952 in Derge, Tibet, as the nephew of H.H. the 16th Karmapa. He was recognised as the new Shamarpa incarnation at the age of six, and was taken to Yang Chen Monastery, main seat of the Shamarpas in Tibet. He left Tibet at the age of nine together with H.H. the 16th Karmapa for Sikkim where he lived and studied under his guidance.

Shamar Rinpoche has received complete teachings and transmissions of the Karma Kagyu Lineage from H.H. the 16th Karmapa at Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, India. After Karmapa's death, Shamar Rinpoche undertook the project of completing a large institute of Buddhist studies in New Delhi. According to Karmapa's wishes, the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute (KIBI) is to serve as an establishment of higher learning to further universal wisdom and compassion, based on the correct study and translation of the great treatises of Buddhism. Besides the many other organizational tasks, H.H. Shamar Rinpoche spends most of his time giving Dharma teachings around the world.

Selected Teachings

• Seven Points on Meditation (Part 1)

• Seven Points on Meditation (Part 2)

• A Change of Expression (Part 1)

• A Change of Expression (Part 2)

• Enlightenment is Within You

• The Mahamudra Way

• No Need for Too Much Tradition

www.shamarpa.org - website of H.H. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche