H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa

H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924 -1981), was born in Derge province in eastern Tibet. The 15th Karmapa, Khakhyab Dorje (1871-1922), left a letter setting forth the circumstances of his next incarnation. On the basis of this letter the authorities of the Tsurphu monastery were able to successfully locate the child. In 1931 the young incarnate was ordained as a novice monk and offered the Karmapa's ceremonial robes and the Black Hat. Karmapa studied in Tsurphu monastery for four years deepening his meditative realization of Sutra, Tantra, Mahamudra and the "Six Yogas of Naropa".

H.H. the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje

H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje was born in Tibet in 1983. He was the first son of the 3rd Mipam Rinpoche, a great Nyingma Lama, and Dechen Wangmo, the daughter of a noble family descending from King Gesar of Ling. At the age of one and a half the boy started telling people that he was the Karmapa. In March 1994, he and his family managed to escape from Tibet to Nepal and then to India. He arrived in New Delhi, where during a welcoming ceremony H.H. Shamar Rinpoche formally recognized him as the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. He was given the name of Trinley (meaning Buddha activity) Thaye (limitless) Dorje (unchanging).

  The 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche

Shamar Rinpoche an emanation of Buddha Amithaba, The 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche is second to Gyalwa Karmapa in the spiritual hierarchy of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. The first Shamar Rinpoche, Khedrup Trakpe Senge (1283-1349), was the principal disciple of the 3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje. His second incarnation, Kacho Wangpo, received the Red Crown from the 4th Karmapa, Rolpe Dorje, an exact replica of his own Black Crown. With the Red Crown, the Karmapa bestowed on him the name of "The Shamarpa - The One with the Red Crown." Since then, Karma Kagyu texts speak of two Karmapas, the black hat and red hat Karmapas, always alternating as teacher and student throughout centuries.More about Szamarpa www.szamarpa.org

Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche

Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche was born in Bhutan in 1918. When he was 13 years old, he left Bhutan to study and practice under the spiritual guidance of his uncle Lama Sherab Dorje in Nepal. There he received full Buddhist training and meditated under severe conditions in the caves of Milarepa and in the holy places of Guru Rinpoche. In 1944, Rinpoche met H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa who became one of his most important masters.
In the years to follow, Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche became the key figure for Dharma practitioners in Nepal. In 1987, he visited Europe for the first time at the invitation of his first Western students Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah.

 Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche

Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, a highly respected lama of the Kagyu lineage, is a "Maniwa', a title given to masters of the Chenrezi practice who have accomplished at least a billion of "Om Mani Peme Hung" mantras. Rinpoche was ordained in Rumtek by the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. An exceptionally gifted student, he mastered all aspects of traditional Buddhist study, from the sutras and tantras to rituals and music to the sciences, art and composition.
Rinpoche's teaching style is deep, direct and accesible. His teachings, peppered with practical advice, stories and warm humor, and leave a lasting impression on all who are fortunate enough to hear them.

 Lama Ole Nydahl

Lama Ole Nydahl is one of the few Westerners fully qualified as a Lama and meditation teacher in the Karma Kagyu Buddhist tradition. In 1969, Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah became the first Western students of H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. After completing three years of Buddhist philosophy studies and intensive meditation training - including the transmission for a unique Diamond Way Buddhist practice called Conscious Dying (tib. Phowa) - Ole Nydahl began teaching Buddhism in Europe at the request of the 16th Karmapa. Lama Ole has since transmitted the blessing of the lineage in a different city nearly every day, traveling and teaching worldwide. His depth of knowledge and dynamic teachings inspire thousands of people at his lectures and meditation retreats.

 Hannah Nydahl

In December 1969 Hannah Nydahl and her husband Ole became the first Western students of H.H. the 16th Karmapa. For over 30 years, Hannah has interpreted for the highest Karma Kagyu teachers and translated texts of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.