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THE KARMA KAGYU LINEAGE

The Kagyu lineage is one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. This lineage focuses on view, meditation, and a direct transmission of the experience of the nature of mind from teacher to student. Its origins date back to the historical Buddha, whose teachings were passed on to different meditation masters in India for 1500 years. About 1000 AD this transmission came to Tibet and in the twelfth century the Karma Kagyu lineage was formed, which has been kept alive and powerful in an unending succession by the Gyalwa Karmapas until today. The Gyalwa Karmapa, whose name means “Master of Activity”, was the first consciously reborn lama of Tibet.

SHAMAR RINPOCHE

Kunzig Shamarpa Mipham Chokyi Lodro is the fourteenth in a line of incarnate Lamas prophesized by the Buddha. They have reincarnated as students and teachers to the Karmapas since the fourteenth century. Shamar Rinpoche was born in 1952 in Derge, Tibet. At the age of four he was recognised as the 14th Shamar Rinpoche incarnation by the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. In 1959 he left Tibet, together with the Karmapa, and stayed with him thereafter. He received the entire Kagyu transmission from the 16th Karmapa, and after the Karmapa’s death in 1981, Shamar Rinpoche devoted his efforts to fulfilling numerous projects initiated by the 16th Karmapa. Most importantly, and in keeping with tradition, in 1994, Shamarpa formally recognized the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje.

LAMA OLE NYDAHL

Lama Ole Nydahl and his wife Hannah were the first Western students of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. In continuous exchange with his students, Lama Ole teaches the way and goal of Diamond Way Buddhism. His unique synthesis of modern style and ancient wisdom has helped create the largest body of students practicing Diamond Way Buddhist methods in the West. Through his example of unshakable joy and constant activity for the benefit of others, he shows what can be achieved through working with mind. Today, at his request, over one hundred of his students teach Buddhism around the world.

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