The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa continues the activity of his predecessors worldwide, both in the traditional form of oral teachings and in keeping with our times through his social media channels. H.H. the 17th Karmapa has the spiritual responsibility for over 900 monasteries and meditation centers worldwide. In 2017, Karmapa married Sangyumla Rinchen Yangzom, and in 2018 their son Thugsey was born.

The Karmapas are among the most important holders of the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. The first Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa (1110-1193), one of the most important lamas of his time, indicated to his disciples before his death that he would take rebirth in Tibet. The second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1204-1283), is thus considered the first consciously reborn lama (Tulku) of Tibet and is therefore the founder of the Tulku system, which is still part of Tibetan Buddhist culture today. Since then, each Karmapa incarnation has clearly identified himself as the Karmapa through his own statements and conduct, and has been confirmed as the incarnation of the previous Karmapa by one of his realized disciples.

The Karmapas are considered great Bodhisattvas, i.e. beings who repeatedly take rebirth and teach the Dharma for the benefit of others. In their incarnations the Karmapas have always made an important contribution to the authentic preservation of Buddhism. The 16th Karmapa, Rangdjung Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981), also made a very significant contribution to making the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism accessible in the West, establishing both the monastic tradition and the lay Buddhism of the Karma Kagyu lineage in Western countries. The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje is now continuing this legacy with a focus on education, young people and developing inner wealth to achieve personal and global peace.

The first Shamar Rinpoche, Khedrub Tragpe Senge (1283 – 1349) was the main disciple of the third Karmapa, Rangdjung Dordje. His second incarnation, Katschö Wangpo, received the Red Crown from the fourth Karmapa Rölpe Dorje, an exact replica of the latter’s own Black Crown, as a symbol of their inseparability. With the Red Crown, the 4th Karmapa gave him the name Shamarpa – the one with the Red Crown. The Shamarpas have incarnated as disciples or teachers of the Karmapas since the 14th century

The current, third Dupseng Rinpoche is a vajra master who guides his students, both ordained and lay people, in their practice of the Buddhadharma on all levels. He is the retreat master responsible for the traditional Karma Kagyu three-year, three-month retreat at Karma Ngedon Palbar Ling Retreat Centre, Sarangkot, Nepal. For his lay students, Rinpoche has been travelling and teaching for years, holding group retreats and leading smaller and larger groups on shorter and longer retreats. In 2018, a long-held desire finally bore fruit, and a retreat programme for lay yogis based on the curriculum of the traditional three-year, three-month retreat was launched. It is Rinpoche’s endeavour to lead his lay disciples to the same attainments as the traditional practitioners in a programme tailored to the conditions of modern life. The programme is offered through regular events Rinpoche holds in Thailand, Nepal, Denmark and possibly in Germany in the future.

Sabchu Rinpoché was born in Nepal. The late 14th Shamar Rinpoche formally recognized him as the 5th incarnation of Sabchu Rinpoché during the transmission of the Tersar empowerments at Nagi Gompa by the late Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. The formal ceremony took place twice, first at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre and then at Swayambhu Monastery.

Rinpoché moved to Swayambhu Monastery at a young age and began to study the Tibetan language and the basic practices of the Karma Kamtsang lineage. He received many empowerments, reading transmissions and teachings from great masters.
Sabchu Rinpoché received many practice instructions from various qualified meditation masters. He studied the scriptures and philosophical treatises under Khenpo Shenpen and later under Khenpo Chödrak Rinpoche at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute.

He spent a year practicing Chöd in Pharping. At the age of eighteen he began a three-year retreat under the guidance of Maniwa Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche. At this occasion Sabchu Rinpoché received the Karma Kamtsang transmissions that are traditionally practised in retreat. He then began to travel and teach in Europe and North America. After several years of travelling and teaching, Rinpoché completed a bachelor’s degree in film and media production in Canada. Rinpoché divides his time between personal retreat and teaching in Asia and Europe. Sabchu Rinpoché is the abbot of Karma Raja Mahavihara Monastery on Swayambhu, Kathmandu and regularly guides many students in the West in retreats and on- and offline Dharma events.

Tulku Tseyang Rinpoche is the 4th reincarnation of a great Mahasiddha whose fame spread beyond the borders of Western Tibet. He was formally recognised by H.H. Shamar Rinpoche and given the name Karma Lungthok Tenpai Nyima. The formal enthronement ceremony and hair cutting of Tulku Tseyang Rinpoche took place during the Kagyu Monlam Festival in Bodh Gaya on 25. December 1996 in the presence of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje and His Holiness Shamar Rinpoche.

He completed all his Buddhist studies and received his certification from the Vikramashila Buddhist Institute. After completing the traditional three-year retreat in Pharping, Nepal, he was appointed Vajra Master of Jangchub Choeling Monastery in Pokhara, Nepal, where he teaches the monks. In addition, Rinpoche mentors Western students for example in Nyung-Nay retreats and Dharma events.