The Karmapas
The Gyalwa Karmapa is known to be the first recognized incarnate lama of Tibet. After some significant lives as accomplisher in India, he chose his further rebirths north of the Himalayas.
Since the 12th century the Karmapas have been the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage and responsible for the continuation of the transmission. The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, who left Tibet in 1959 because of the Chinese invasion, saved the unique methods of experiencing the nature of mind and brought them to the modern world with the assistance of his Western students. The current 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje was born in 1983 and left suppressed Tibet to free India in 1994.
List of all Karmapas
- 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
- Trinley Thaye Dorje, 1983 – present