Who is karmapa

In June a son was born into a nomad family in the Lhatok region of Eastern Tibet. In the months prior to his birth, his mother had wonderful dreams.

On the day of his birth, a cuckoo landed on the tent in which he was born, and many people in the neighborhood heard a mysterious conch-like sound, resounding throughout the valley. In Tibet, such events are considered auspicious portents of the birth of an enlightened teacher. From the beginning, his family regarded him as special, and believed that he might be the reincarnation of a rinpoche. When he was four years old, they sent him to the local monastery to begin his education, though he continued to spend much of his time at home with the family.

Then, in the late spring of , the now seven-year-old announced to his parents that they should move their encampment to a different valley, and told them to expect a visit from traveling monks. They did as he said and, shortly after setting up home in the new location, a group of Karma Kagyu lamas arrived.

Unbeknown to the family, the lamas were searching for the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa, following instructions left in a secret prediction letter, written by the 16th Karmapa before he died. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama issued a formal letter, supporting the recognition of Apo Gaga as the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, and the Chinese Government supported the choice too.

During his lifetime, the 16th Karmapa wrote many poems and songs, predicting that, though he would leave his traditional seat of Tsurphu in Tibet, he would return to Tsurphu again soon, that his root teacher would be HE Situ Rinpoche, and that he would study in India.

After the death of the 16th Karmapa, it became clear that these predictions concerned his reincarnation. These points are discussed in detail in the section on the Historical Background of the Karmapas. Over 20, devotees assembled to witness his return. The following morning, some 25, people filed past His Holiness to receive a personal blessing, and then, two months later, before thousands of Tibetans and foreign devotees, he was enthroned, on September 27, At Tsurphu, the Karmapa began his studies in Tibetan, the Buddhist sciences of mind, ritual, and the sacred arts, such as dance.

TED Speaker. His Holiness the Karmapa Spiritual leader. Home: kagyuoffice. Ogyen Trinley Dorje is the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism devoted to preserving and propagating Buddhist teachings. Why you should listen The name "Karmapa" means "the one who carries out Buddha-activity," and for seventeen lifetimes, a karmapa has embodied the teachings of Buddha in tibet.

More news and ideas from His Holiness the Karmapa. He has the spiritual responsibility for over monasteries and meditation centres around the world. Cultivating our innate values of compassion and wisdom — our Inner Wealth — enables us to experience peace. For Karmapa, young people are therefore essential to engage with for peace in our world. Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, is the head of the oldest reincarnate lineage in the world.

Read more about Karmapa in his biography. Karmapa teaches that to achieve peace — be it personal peace, or world peace — we must cultivate our Inner Wealth , practice non-material values, and invest in education and literacy.

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