Recognition of the 17th Karmapa

The Gyalwa Karmapas have been the spiritual heads of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism since the 12th century and have worked tirelessly for the benefit of all sentient beings. The 17th Karmapa was born in Tibet in May 6, 1983. He is the son of Mipham Rinpoche, a renowned scholar and master of the Nyingma Lineage and Dechen Wangmo, a direct descendant of the legendary King Gesar of Ling. In keeping with the tradition of the Karmapas recognizing themselves, as a very young child Thaye Dorje repeatedly proclaimed he was the Karmapa. This message along with other clear indications reached the 14th Kunzig Shamarpa who is second in rank to the Gyalwa Karmapas. The Shamarpa therefore examined the boy in accordance with the centuries-old spiritual tradition of the Karma Kagyu School and confirmed that Thaye Dorje was the authentic Karmapa reincarnation. On March 17, 1994 an official ceremony took place in New Delhi and Trinley Thaye Dorje was formally recognized and enthroned as the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, the genuine Holder of the Black Crown.
The 17th Karmapa has embraced the modern world -- he speaks fluent English, has studied many Western academic subjects and is proficient with computer and communication technologies. The Karmapa mainly resides at his headquarters in Kalimpong, India and at his European seat in Dordogne, France.
This video was sponsored by Siddhartha Foundation International, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded to support the activities of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. Please visit our website at www.sfi-usa.org, where you can find a description of our projects and a high definition version of this video. Join our mailing list to receive future updates of Karmapa's activity in America.