Portraits of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje

The Gyalwa Karmapas, well known as spiritual leaders of Tibet, China and the Himalayas, were foretold by the historical Buddha Shakyamuni of our era. The Karmapas ("Holders of Buddha-Activity") have been at the centre of Buddhist contemplative and scholarly traditions in Tibet since the twelfth century. Their lineage, the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, originates with the Tibetan masters Marpa the translator, Tibet’s great yogi Milarepa, the unparallelled Gampopa and others. The Kagyu School emphasizes rigorous scholarship and realization of the true nature of reality acquired through meditation.

The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje was born in eastern Tibet 1924. Having left his monastery in Tsurphu, Tibet,  in 1959, he established a new seat in Rumtek, Sikkim, India. From there his spiritual influence spread throughout Asia and the West. Until his passing away in 1981, he proclaimed the Buddhist teachings for the benefit of all people without exception.