The Lives of the Karmapas

In honor of the Karmapa 900 celebration, Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche taught the biographies of the sixteen Karmapas, which he completed in September, 2012. Rinpoche transmits his deep devotion for each of the Karmapa reincarnations as he describes the events of their lives and their remarkable achievements. This two-volume book will be available in 2017.

Lives of the Karmapas

the First Fourteen by Mendong Tsampa Rinpoche
the Fifteenth by Palpung Khyentse Rinpoche
the Sixteenth by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
as taught by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
translated by Lama Yeshe Gyamtso

Coming in 2017 ~ Watch for Announcements!


Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche taught the biographies of the Karmapas that he began in 2010 and completed in 2012. Rinpoche transmits his deep devotion for each of the Karmapa reincarnations as he describes the events of their lives and their remarkable achievements.

The first fourteen were written by Mendong Tsampa Rinpoche. The Fifteenth Karmapa’s biography was written by his disciple Palpung Khyentse, but includes extracts from his autobiography as well. The Sixteenth Karmapa’s biography was written by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche.

These biographies are comparatively short, but they have several unique features. One is that they are extremely easy to understand and they are also very inspiring in that they clearly present accounts of the extraordinary attributes of the successive Karmapas.

What follows upon this is a brief explanation, or indication, of the immeasurable qualities of the Gyalwang Karmapa. The first thing said about His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, is that he is the essence and embodiment, in one, of the body, speech, mind, qualities and activities of all tathagatas, all buddhas of all times (past, present and future) and all ten directions. The meaning of this is that His Holiness the Karmapa is not the emanation of one buddha. You cannot limit what His Holiness is by saying he was this buddha in the past, and now he is His Holiness, or he will be this buddha in the future and now he is His Holiness. All of the qualities of the bodies of each and every buddha, without exception, who has ever appeared, who is present now anywhere, and who will ever appear, are complete within the body of His Holiness. All the qualities of the speech, mind, virtues and boundless activities of each and every buddha of any time and any place, are complete within His Holiness’ speech, mind, virtues and activities. He is in one embodiment the essence of all buddhas without exception.

To listen to the audio teachings please visit Karmapa900.org

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