The 17th Karmapa Thaye 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.

 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 Khyenpa, 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
 Khakyab Dorje, 1871 - 1922
 Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 1924 - 1981
 Thaye Dorje, 1983 - present

Visit the new website for Karmapa at www.karmapa.org and the romanian language website for Karmapa at www.karmapa.ro .


Additional material

·  Nik Douglas & Meryl White. Karmapa - The Black Hat Lama of Tibet. LUZAC & COMPANY Ltd. 1981.
· Dzalendra and Sakarchupa. Stories from the former lives of the Gyalwa Karmapa. Kagyu Samyeling Tibetan Centre 1981. ISBN 0-906181-03-8