About Karmapa

Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu, the largest sub-school of the Kagyupa, itself one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Düsum Khyenpa, 1st Karmapa Lama (1110–1193), was a disciple of the Tibetan master Gampopa. A talented child who studied Buddhism with his father from an early age and who sought out great teachers in his twenties and thirties, he is said to have attained enlightenment at the age of fifty while practicing dream yoga. He was henceforth regarded by the contemporary highly respected masters Shakya Śri and Lama Shang as the Karmapa, a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara.
Vajrayana Teachings and Culture

Celebrating the 81st Birthday of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

30
Jun
2024
Vajrayana Teachings and Culture

Tibetan yogi Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche’s passing into Tug-dam

26
Jun
2024
Vajrayana Teachings and Culture

Celebrating the 71st Birthday of the 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche

22
Jun
2024
More News

Products related to Karmapa

Dudul Dorje (1733–1797) was the thirteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism.

Karmapa – Tibet’s first consciously incarnating lama

4
Sep
2022
Biography, Rinpoche, Vajrayāna
The is the head of the Karma Kagyu, the largest sub-school of the Kagyu, itself one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Karmapa was Tibet's first consciously incarnating lama. The historical seat of the Karmapas is Tsurphu Monastery in the Tolung valley of Tibet. The Karmapa's principal seat in exile is the Dharma Chakra Centre at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India. His regional monastic seats are Karma Triyana Dharmachakra in New York and Dhagpo Kagyu .
Read More
1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa Thangka Painting

1st Karmapa Lama – Dusum Kyenpa

2
Jul
2021
Dharma, Vajrayāna
Dusum Khyenpa is known as the 1st . Dusum Khyenpa is the founder of the (Kamtsang) branch of the Tradition. Dusum Khyenpa was born in Kham He served as Abbot of after and founded the . He is becoming the seat of the incarnate Karmapa . Dusum Khyenpa was the founder of the school and of its three main : Kampo Nenang Gon in 1164, Karma Gon .
Read More

6th Karmapa – Tongwa Donden

19
Feb
2021
Art, Himalayan Art, Thangka
The birth of the 6th , Tongwa Donden (1416-1453), at Ngomto Shakyam near Gon in east , was marked by many auspicious signs. One month later, carried by his mother as she went begging, he became highly excited when their path crossed that of Ngompa Chadral, a student of the fifth Karmapa. When Lama Ngompa Chadral asked who he was, the child smiled and replied “I’m the unborn, free from all names, places, and .
Read More
Tibetan Buddhist Eighth Karmapa Mikyo Dorje

Explaining Lama Teacher Karmapa Rolpai Dorje

29
Feb
2020
Art, Himalayan Art, Thangka
Rolpai Dorje who is known as the 4th wearing the and Khacho Wangpoa was the 2nd . The Life of Karmapa Rolpai Dorje In this portion, we are going to learn the life of the Karmapa Rolpai Dorje, after the short etymological description of the word Karmapa Rolpai Dorje itself. Etymology of Rolpai Dorje Rolpaie Dorje (1340- 1383) was the fourth Gyalwa Karmapa. Earlier, we learn about the life of Rolpaie Dorje. Now, we are going .
Read More

Thrangu Rinpoche Sixteenth Karmapa

25
Apr
2018
Biography
was born in Kham in 1933. At the age of five, he was formally recognized by the Sixteenth and the previous Situ Rinpoche as the incarnation of the great Thrangu . Entering , from the ages of seven to sixteen he studied reading, writing, grammar, poetry, and astrology, memorized ritual texts, and completed two preliminary retreats. At sixteen under the direction of Lodro Rabsel, he began the of .
Read More
Pema Lingpa's Visionary Journey to the Copper-Colored Mountain

The Tulku system & the preservation of Dharma lineages

31
Aug
2022
Biography, Rinpoche, Vajrayāna
A is a reincarnate custodian of a specific lineage of teachings in Tibetan Buddhism who is given empowerments and trained from a young age by students of his or her predecessor. Historically, the tulku system of preserving Dharma lineages operated in Tibet with the first being the . After the first Karmapa died in 1193, a lama had recurrent visions of a particular child as his rebirth. This child (born ca. 1205) was recognized as .
Read More
Clockwise from upper left: Naropa, Maitripa, Marpa Lotsawa and Niguma.

Karma Kagyu Lamas – The whispering Mahamudra teachers

28
Aug
2022
Dharma, Vajrayāna
Karma Kagyu lamas are recognized for being masters of the practice of Mahamudra, a mystical path of Tibetan Buddhism that aims to achieve enlightenment by realizing the essence of mind. They are often referred to as the "whisperers of Mahamudra," in reference to the oral transmission of these teachings which is done confidentially and intimately between the teacher and student. Origin of the Karma Kagyu lineage The Kagyu school, also transliterated as Kagyü, or Kagyud, which translates .
Read More
1000-armed Avalokiteśvara dated 13th - 15th century AD at Saspol cave (Gon-Nila-Phuk Cave Temples and Fort) in Ladakh

Avalokiteśvara – The embodiment of compassion

8
Aug
2022
Avalokiteśvara, Bodhisattvas, Mahāyāna, Vajrayāna
Avalokitasvara is the bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. In Sanskrit, is also referred to as Lokeśvara ("Lord of the World"). In Tibetan, Avalokiteśvara is Chenrézig and is said to emanate as the , the and other high lamas. An etymology of the Tibetan name Chenrézik gives the meaning of one who always looks upon all beings with the eye of compassion. One prominent Buddhist story tells of Avalokiteśvara vowing .
Read More
Milarepa, wearing the distinctive white shawl (zen) of a Ngagpa

Honorific titles in Tibetan institutions and clergy

28
Jul
2022
Culture, Rinpoche, Vajrayāna
Buddhist monasticism is an important part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, all the major and minor schools maintain large monastic institutions based on the Mulasarvastivada Vinaya (monastic rule) and many religious leaders come from the monastic community. There are also many religious leaders or teachers (called and Gurus) which are not celibate monastics and in some cases the lama is the leader of a spiritual community. Some lamas gain their title through being .
Read More