The Prophecies And The Karma Kagyu Lineage

His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapal Rangjung Rigpe Dorje(1924-1981)

His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje 

Origin of the Karma Kagyu Lineage

The Karmapa (officially His Holiness of the Gyalwa Karmapa) is the head of the Karma Kagyu, the largest sub-school of the kagyupa itself. The historical seat of the Karmapas is Tsurphu Monastery in the Tolung valley of Tibet. His Holiness' principal seat in exile is the Dharma Chakra Centre at Rumtek Monastery Sikkim India. 
His regional monastic seats are Karma Triyana Dharmachakra in New York , Dhagp Karyu ling in France and Tashi Choling in Bhutan. Due to a controversy within the Karma Kagyu school over the recognition process, the identity of the current 17th Karmapa is disputed.

The Prophecies 

The Lord Buddha Shakyamuni has foretold the coming of the Karmapa in various sutras and tantras. Only a few of the Buddhist masters are prophesied in the sutras and tantras and the Karmapa was certainly one of them.

From the Samadhiraja Sutra (The King of Samadhi Sutra):

Two thousand years after my passing,
The teachings will spread in the land of the red-faced ones,
Who will be the disciples of Avalokitesvara
The bodhisattva Simhanada, known as Karmapa will appear.
Possessing mastery over samadhi, he will tame beings
And establish them in bliss through seeing, hearing, recalling and touching.

From the Lankavatara Sutra (Descent Into Lanka Sutra):

Wearing monastic robes and a black crown,
He will perform unceasing benefit for beings
Until the teachings of one thousand Buddhas disappear.

From the Mulamañjushri Tantra (Root Tantra of Mañjushri):

Endowed with a name beginning with "Ka" and ending with "Ma",
There will appear an individual who illuminates the teachings.

The Karmapa's arrival was also prophesied by the great Indian mahasiddha, Padmasambhava in various termas.

The source of the oral lineage is traditionally traced back to the Buddha Vajradhara, was transmitted to the Indian master of Mahamudra and tantra Tilopa (989-1069), through Naropa (1016-1100) to Marpa. These forefathers of the and Milarepa Kagyu lineage are collectively called the "golden rosary". The 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1204-1283), is often said to be the first person ever recognized and empowered as a tulku, a reincarnated Lama.

List of the previous H.H. Karmapas

1) Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193)

2) Karma Pakshi (1204-1283)

3) Ranjung Dorje (1284-1339)

4) Rolpe Dorje (1340-1383)

5) Deshin Shekpa (1384-1415)

6) Thongwa Donden (1416-1453)

7) Chodrak Gyatso (1454-1506)

8) Mikyo Dorje (1507-1554)

9) Wangchukl Dorje (1556-1603)

10) Choying 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) Ranjung Rigpa Dorje (1924-1981)

17) Ogyen Trinley Dorje(1985)

Dedication of merits

May those who read and sharing of this blog's information be peaceful and joyful. May the Buddha Dharma be flourished and the merits will be dedicated to the sentient beings.