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 has chosen his further rebirths north of the Himalayas. Since the 12th century the Karmapas are the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage and responsible for the duration of the transmission. The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa who left Tibet in 1959 because of the Chinese invasion saved the unique methods of knowing the nature of mind and has brought it to 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 H.H. 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje The Karmapa Issue