The 16th Karmapa - Rangjung Rigpe Dorje
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.
The 17th Karmapa - Thaye Dorje
Karmapa was the first incarnate lama (tulku) of the Tibetans and has been honored as a living Buddha for the last 800 years in an unbroken succession and is the spiritual head of the Kagyu lineage. 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.
- Dusum Chenpa, 1110 - 1193
- Karma Pakshi, 1204 - 1283
- Rangjung Dorje, 1284 - 1339
- Rolpe Dorje, 1340 - 1383
- Deshin Shegpa, 1384 - 1415
- Tongwa Donden, 1416 - 1453
- Chodrag Gyamtso, 1454 - 1506
- Mikyo Dorje, 1507 - 1554
- Wangchug Dorje, 1556 - 1603
- Choying Dorje, 1604 - 1674
- Yeshe Dorje, 1676 - 1702
- Changchub Dorje, 1703 - 1732
- Dudul Dorje, 1733 - 1797
- Thegchog Dorje, 1798 - 1868
- Khakhyab Dorje, 1871 - 1922
- Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 1924 - 1981
- Thaye Dorje, 1983 - present
More details about the Karmapas can be read in:
- A special issue on the Recognition of the XVIIth Karmapa Thaye Dorje
- Karmapa the Black Hat Lama of Tibet
compiled by Nik Douglas & Meryl White
LUZAC & COMPANY Ltd., London 1976, ISBN 0-71890-187-8
- Eine kurze Geschichte der Karma-Kagyü-Linie Tibets
von Topga Rinpoche
in: Kagyü Life (German Edition) Nr. 10, 4. Jahrgang (Dezember 1992)
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Most recent update: December 16th, 1996
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