The Karmapa is the spiritual leader of the largest sub school of the Kagyupa sect, Karma Kagyu and is known as His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa. Kagyupa itself is one amongst the four major schools of the Tibetan Buddhism.
The word Karmapa derives from a Sanskrit expression which implies"the one who functions as the manifestation of Buddha-activity." The term, in Tibetan language stands for "Master of Karma'. Karmapa is regarded as the manifestation of the Avalokitesvara.
History
The first Karmapa, Dusun Khyenpa, was recognised in the 12th century. He was a an immensely intelligent disciple of the Tibetan master Gampopa and was well aware with everything related to tantra and sutra.
Since the Karmapa was the first of tulku lineage, Karma Pakshi, the second Karmapa became the first person ever to be recognised and bestowed with the title of the reincarnate lama.
From beginning till now, there have been 17 reincarnations of the Karmapa.
The Black Crown
The Karmapas are the bearers of the Black Crown and are therefore also referred as the Black Hat Lamas. The Black Crown, a significant symbol of the Karmapa, signifies his power to benefit all living beings. Traditionally, the Karmapa were the teachers of the Chinese emperors. When the 5th Karmapa Dezhin Shegpa was in office, Yung Lo was the Chinese Emperor. The latter, through his devotion and spirituality, could see Karmapa in the Sambhogakaya form of Vajradhara adorning a black crown on his head. The Karmapa explained to him that the Black crwon was the power-field of wisdom-energy that perpetually stayed above the Karmapa's head. It was then that the Emperor decided to get a physical replica made of the Black Crown. It was suposed to the material representation of the spiritual one and bless others. From thereon started the Black Crown Ceremony in which the Karmapa placed the crown on his own head while reciting the sacred chant Om Mani Padme Hum. By doing so the Karmapa spreads the blessings to all those who are present in the ceremony. The tradition continued upto the time of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. The 16th Karmapa carried the Black Crwon and other precious relics of the Kagyu lineage to the Rumtek Monastery where he stayed until his death in the year 1993. Following his death, a dispute took place over the new Karmapa, with two rival parties claiming the title. This led to the Crown being displaced from its location. Till date, the wherabouts of the Crown remains unknown.
The 17th Karmapa
Post the 16th Karmapa's death in 1981, search began for the 17th Karmapa. The search team included four senior lamas - Situ Rinpoche, Shamar Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul and Gyaltsab Rinpoche. In March 1992, Situ Rinpoche declared that he had found a prophetic letter from the 16th Karmapa as per which the boy was to be found in Eastern Tibet. Shamar Rinpoche doubted the authenticity of the letter and therefore withdrew his support from Situ Rinpoche and his candidate.
However, the boy was located and the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authority soon extended their support for him. Meanwhile Jamgon Kongtrul also died in a car crash.
Shamar Rinpoche still insisted that the letter produced by Situ Rinpoche was not credible and hence the candidate, too, was not genuine. In 1994, he produced a rival candidate, Thaye Dorje for the title of the Karmapa and till date the latter is projected as the real Karmapa.
Names of Karmapa Till Now
1. Düsum Khyenpa - 1110 - 1193
2. Karma Pakshi - 1204 - 1283
3. Rangjung Dorje - 1284 - 1339
4. Rolpe Dorje - 1340 - 1383
5. Deshin Shekpa- 1384 - 1415
6. Thongwa Dönden - 1416 - 1453
7. Chödrak Gyatso 1454 - 1506
8. Mikyö Dorje - 1507 - 1554
9. Wangchuk Dorje - 1556 - 1603
10. Chöying Dorje - 1604 - 1674
11. Yeshe Dorje - 1676 - 1702
12. Changchub Dorje - 1703 - 1732
13. Dudul Dorje - 1733 - 1797
14. Thekchok Dorje - 1798 - 1868
15. Khakyab Dorje - 1871 - 1922
16. Rangjung Rigpe Dorje - 1924 - 1981
1. Ogyen Trinley Dorje (b. 1985) /Trinle Thaye Dorje (b. 1983)
