The Karmapa Story

Welcome to the world of the 17th Karmapa. In 1999, at fourteen years of age he was compelled to leave Tibet and go into exile to India. He has been based in India since and been busy with his education and numerous responsibilities. He has accomplished a great deal as a spiritual leader. He has pursued a path of  traditional Tibetan Buddhist education and achieved remarkable accomplishments. He is known for his literary contributions; he has authored books such as The Heart Is Noble and Interconnected. Apart from his writing he composes Tibetan Buddhist practice instructions called Sadhanas. He translates Buddhist texts between Chinese and Tibetan. He regularly gives teachings to the monasteries and nunneries under his care as well as millions of people all around the world. He is celebrated for his poetry, artistry, and commitment to environmentalism. As a dedicated vegetarian, the 17th Karmapa exemplifies compassion and interconnectedness. His mastery of Mahamudra and his other accomplishments continue to inspire students worldwide.

The 17th Karmapa has the lineage transmissions and instructions of mind training, meditation, Mahamudra, and empowerments requisite for a spiritual leader of his standing and are core to the Kagyu school of thought. His lineage is called Kama Kagyu and it is a combination of mind training passed on by the first Kadampa masters and Mahamudra by Marpa and Milarepa. The progenitor and promulgator of the Kagyu school was Gampopa. (1079-1153 AD). The first Karmapa was one of the foremost disciples of Gampopa and he founded the Kama Kagyu branch of the Kagyu school.