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HH 17th Karmapa, Thaye Dorje
Thinley
Thaye Dorje is the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa tulku or
incarnation. As the head of the Kagyu order of Buddhism in Tibet since
the twelfth century, he embodies, represents and guides its accumulated
spiritual energy. The Tibetan teaching concerning tulkus tells us that
although the moment of Enlightenment releases one from the forces leading
to rebirth, an Enlightened intelligence which transcends individuality
or ego in the ordinary sense
may decide to continue to work on Earth for the benefit of all sentient
beings. This Enlightened intelligence therefore chooses births over a
certain period of time in a series of human individuals. The Gyalwa Karmapa
is such a tulku.
The 17
incarnations of the Gyalwa Karmapas have been as follows (click on links
for lifestories, teachings, and images of the successive Karmapas):
HH1
Karmapa - Dusum Khyenpa - 1110 - 1193
HH2 Karmapa - Karma Pakshi - 1204 - 1283
HH3 Karmapa - Rangjung Dorje - 1284 - 1339
HH4 Karmapa - Rolpei Dorje - 1340 - 1383
HH5 Karmapa - Deshin Shegpa - 1384 - 1415
HH6 Karmapa - Thongwa Donden - 1416 - 1453
HH7 Karmapa - Chotrag Gyamtso - 1454 - 1506
HH8 Karmapa - Mikyo Dorje - 1507 - 1554
HH9 Karmapa - Wangchuk Dorje - 1556 - 1603
HH10 Karmapa - Choying Dorje - 1604 - 1674
HH11 Karmapa - Yeshe Dorje - 1676 - 1702
HH12 Karmapa - Changchub Dorje - 1703 - 1732
HH13 Karmapa - Dudul Dorje - 1733 - 1797
HH14 Karmapa - Thegchog Dorje - 1798 - 1868
HH15 Karmapa - Khakhyab Dorje - 1871 - 1922
HH16 Karmapa - Rangjung Rigpe Dorje - 1924
- 1981
HH17 Karmapa - Trinlay Thaye Dorje - 1983
The Kagyu
order is the medium of transmission of the meditative teachings known as
Mahamudra. These teachings were first developed through the spontaneous
insight of the great Indian siddha or saint Tilopa (988-1069). Their realisation
was passed down from guru to disciple through the great progenitors of the
lineage Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa and successively through the
seventeen Gyalwa Karmapas up to the present time. |
