His Holiness Karmapa

Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje was born on 6 May 1983 in central Tibet. His parents are the great Nyingma lama Mipham Rinpoche andDechen Wangmo. As soon as he could speak, he told them he was the Karmapa.

In March 1994, in accordance with the 900 year old tradition, Thaye Dorje was enthroned as the 17th Karmapa. His Holiness the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, the second most senior Karma Kagyu lama, enthroned him. The 14th Shamarpa, Mipham Chokyi Lodro was himself recognized by the 16th Karmapa in 1957.

Karmapa escaped from Tibet in 1994 and his formal education was completed in 2003 when he received the title of Vidyadhara, or Knowledge Holder of the Sutras and Tantras.

Trinley Thaye Dorje means Limitless Unchanging Buddha Activity. Karmapa resides in Delhi, India. In March 2017, Karmapa married Sangyumla Rinchen Yangzom (a Tibetan name meaning ‘Precious Prosperity Gathered’) and in August 2018, Karmapa and Sangyumla’s son Thugsey was born.

Karmapa travels extensively, meeting students, young people, world leaders, and people in the fields of spirituality, peace, conflict resolution, and education. He has the spiritual responsibility for over 900 monasteries and meditation centres around the world.

HH Karmapa website is www.karmapa.org