Samding Dorje Phagmo
74-529: The Karmapa Tulku lineage of the Gyalwa Karmapa is the oldest among the major incarnating lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, established in 1110 CE by the 1st Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa . Karmapa means “the one who carries out buddha-activity”, or “the embodiment of all the activities of the buddhas.” A total of 17 Karmapa manifestations have incarnated after their predecessors predict their own rebirths in detailed letters. Their honorific titles include His Holiness
148-403: A monk or belong to any established Buddhist school or tradition of his time. His recognized successor, Kyabje Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje , was more commonly known as Dudjom Rinpoche (1904–1987). He is considered to be the direct incarnation of Dudjom Lingpa. He was a Nyingma householder , yogi, and a Vajrayana and Dzogchen master. According to his disciple Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal, he
222-702: A distinctive role in preserving and propagating specific teachings. Other high-profile examples of tulkus include the Dalai Lamas , the Panchen Lamas , the Samding Dorje Phagmos , Khyentses , the Zhabdrung Rinpoches , and the Kongtruls . The process of recognizing tulkus involves a combination of traditional and supernatural methods. When a tulku passes away, a committee of senior lamas convenes to identify
296-553: A divine incarnation. Over time, this term evolved within Tibetan Buddhism to denote the corporeal existence of highly accomplished Buddhist masters whose purpose is to ensure the preservation and transmission of a particular lineage. The tulku system originated in Tibet, particularly associated with the recognition of the second Karmapa in the 13th century. Since then, numerous tulku lineages have been established, with each tulku having
370-548: A fragmentary biography of Maitripada he discovered in Nepal . The tulku system of preserving Dharma lineages developed in Tibet after the 12th century, with the first recognized tulku being perhaps Rangjung Dorje, 3rd Karmapa Lama . Foreign tulkus have been identified since at least the sixteenth century, when the grandson of the Mongol Altan Khan was recognized as the 4th Dalai Lama . The Mongol conversion to Buddhism served
444-584: A huge ruby was commissioned, and upon receiving this, the 5th Karmapa started the tradition of the Black Crown Ceremony which has been performed by successive Karmapa incarnations up to and including the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje . In preparation for the ceremony the Karmapa meditates on inseparability with Chenrezig , the Buddha of Compassion. Prostrations and a mandala offering are made, followed by
518-554: A neutral point of view. Tulku Samding Dorje Phagmo A tulku ( Tibetan : སྤྲུལ་སྐུ་ , Wylie : sprul sku , ZYPY : Zhügu , also tülku , trulku ) is a distinctive and significant aspect of Tibetan Buddhism , embodying the concept of enlightened beings taking corporeal forms to continue the lineage of specific teachings. The term "tulku" has its origins in the Tibetan word "sprul sku", which originally referred to an emperor or ruler taking human form on Earth, signifying
592-524: A political function and allowed Tibet to build a closer relationship with the Mongol Yuan Dynasty . Traditionally, however, tulku were only recognized from Tibetan cultural areas, encompassing Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia , and Bhutan . The Chinese annexation of Tibet in 1959 created massive social upheaval. This intensified during the Cultural Revolution which brought irreparable damage to
666-411: A tülkus. According to Khenpo Ngawang Pelzang: This form of transference is practiced by beginners on the path of accumulating who have received empowerment and respected the samayas, have a good understanding of the view, and have practiced the generation phase as the path but have not mastered it. Although they lack the necessary confidence to be liberated in the clear light at the moment of death or in
740-658: Is Lodrö Chökyi Nyima . He was recognized in August 1996 by Ogyen Trinley Dorje , the 17th Karmapa , who gave the name Jamgon Lodro Chokyi Nyima Dronme Chok Thamced Le Nampar Gyalwe De. He was born on November 26, 1995, in Chushur Dzong , near Chushur Dzong, in Central Tibet. This recognition was confirmed by the 14th Dalai Lama , Sakya Trizin , head of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism , and Mindroling Trichen , former head of
814-491: Is huófó (活佛), which literally means "living Buddha". Tibetans recognize at least three grades of tulku. Three of these grades as reported by Peter Bishop are: In a strict sense, tulku is a Tibetan translation of the Sanskrit nirmāṇakāya , which refers to the "transformation" or "emanation body" of a Buddha . Tulku is therefore the physical "form in which a Buddha appears to ordinary beings." A related term in Tibetan
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#1733085417462888-401: Is yangsi (literally "rebirth" or "re-becoming") which refers to an enlightened master who has returned to earthly existence for the sake of benefitting sentient beings. While the notion of a nirmāṇakāya is found throughout Mahayana Buddhism, and is integral to the doctrine of the trikaya ("Three Bodies"), the concept of the yangsi is uniquely Tibetan. Tulku, as a title, refers to one who
962-420: Is "pulled between the need to adapt itself and the need to preserve itself". Westerners began taking an interest in Tibetan Buddhism during the counterculture of the 1960s, and Tibetan Buddhism became popular among western Buddhists and they began to be recognized as incarnations of Buddhist masters around this time. Most of these, however, were expatriate Tibetans or Tibetans of mixed heritage , such as
1036-584: Is Dechen Chökyi Drönma, who was born in 1938 or 1942. Dechen Chökyi Drönma was very young at the time of the Chinese occupation , and her exact date of birth is contested. Dechen Chökyi Drönma was recognised by the present 14th Dalai Lama as a true incarnation and served as a vice president of the Buddhist Association of China in 1956 while he was president, and Choekyi Gyaltsen, 10th Panchen Lama also as vice president. She went to Lhasa in 1958 and received
1110-608: Is a long line of consciously reborn lamas, and the second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1204–1283), is the first recognized tulku ( Wylie : sprul sku ) in Tibetan Buddhism who predicted the circumstances of his rebirth. A Karmapa's identity is confirmed through a combination realized lineage teachers supernatural insight, prediction letters left by the previous Karmapa, and the young child's own self-proclamation and ability to identify objects and people known to its previous incarnation. The 8th, 10th, and 12th incarnations, as well as
1184-456: Is a traditional religion in China and Mongolia. The Mongolian word for a tülku is qubilγan , though such persons may also be called by the honorific title qutuγtu (Tib: ' phags-pa and Skt: ārya or superior , not to be confused with the historic figure, 'Phags-pa Lama or the script attributed to him, ( Phags-pa script ), or hutagt in the standard Khalkha dialect . The Chinese word for tülku
1258-401: Is recognized as the yangsi of a master. It arose in the context of a political vacuum spurred by the assassination of Ralpachen , which saw monastic centers develop political power in a second spreading of Buddhism in Tibet. It had "purely politico-mercantile origins and functions" and later became a significant spiritual institution. However, some commentators argue that the political shift
1332-501: Is still there. An inventory of items remaining at Rumtek is purported to be something the Indian government is going to undertake in the near future. The history of the Karmapa lineage, including biographical details of the historical Karmapas, can be found at the following web sites. Notice that the websites are written to those loyal to one or other of the rival 17th Karmapas, and their accounts of previous incarnations may not be written from
1406-661: The 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje was located and then recognized in 1992 by the Dalai Lama, and by the Chinese Central Government, that another Karmapa was recognized by Shamar Rinpoche, Trinley Thaye Dorje . The identity of the current 17th Karmapa was resolved by the Karmapas themselves, Orgyen Trinley Dorje and Trinley Thaye Dorje , both of whom issued a joint statement on 04 December 2023. Düsum Khyenpa, 1st Karmapa Lama ( Wylie : Dus gsum Mkhyen pa , 1110–1193),
1480-566: The Light of Fearless Indestructible Wisdom by Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal: the term tülku "designates one who is 'noble' (or 'selfless' according to Buddha's usage) and used in Buddhist texts to denote a highly achieved being who has attained the first bhumi, a level of attainment which is truly egoless, or higher." Higher Vajrayana practitioners who have attained siddhis and mastered the bardo of dying, bardo of dharmata or bardo of becoming can be reborn as
1554-452: The Nyingma tradition was recognized as a tulku and brought to Palyul Monastery in 1936 at the age of four. He recounted that as a young tulku in Tibet, inspired by seeing the skull relic, he made prayers to find Ahkon Lhamo's incarnation. Though most of the kapala relic was pulverized into dust during the Cultural Revolution , one Tibetan man managed to save a silver dollar-size piece on which
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#17330854174621628-653: The Nyingma tradition. All three performed hair-cutting ceremonies and bestowed names, as is traditional. As the reincarnation of Jamgon Kongtrul, Lodrö is entitled to be called " Rinpoche ". Khyentse tulkus are the main custodians of the lineage of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892), a teacher, scholar and tertön of 19th-century Tibet . He was a leading figure in the Rimé movement . Several tulkus of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, including those of body (sku) , speech (gsung) , mind (thugs) , qualities (yon tan) and activity ( Wylie : ' phrin las ) , were recognized in Tibet. Of these,
1702-419: The Rimé movement (non-sectarian), compiling what is known as the "Five Great Treasuries". He achieved great renown as a scholar and writer, especially among the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages and composed over 90 volumes of Buddhist writing, including his magnum opus, The Treasury of Knowledge . There have been several recognized tulkus of Lodro Thaye. The current lineage holder as the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul
1776-678: The Yongle Emperor , the Emperor, through his devotion and spiritual realization, was able to perceive Karmapa in the Sambhogakaya form of Vajradhara (Tib. Dorje Chang ), wearing a black crown on his head. The Karmapa explained to the Emperor that he had seen the ' Vajra Crown', the power-field of wisdom-energy that is always present above the Karmapa's head. The emperor offered to have a physical replica made so that others could receive its blessing. A crown encrusted with precious stones and topped by
1850-601: The dakinis from their hair and given to the Karmapa in recognition of his spiritual realization. The physical crown displayed by the Karmapas was offered to Deshin Shekpa, 5th Karmapa Lama by the Yongle Emperor of China as a material representation of the spiritual one. The crown was last known to be located at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim , the last home of the 16th Karmapa , although that location has been subject to some upheaval since 1993 causing some to worry as to whether or not it
1924-542: The widely renowned 16th Karmapa , each faced conflicts during their recognition, which were ultimately resolved. There is currently a controversy over the enthronement of two 17th Karmapas. The Karmapas are the holders of the Black Crown ( Wylie : Zhwa-nag ) and are thus sometimes known as "the Black Hat Lamas". This crown ( Wylie : rang 'byung cod pan "self-arisen crown"), is traditionally said to have been woven by
1998-565: The 16th Karmapa’s death. The ensuing split in his lineage caused a conflict at the monastery between supporters of the two rival claimants for the title of Karmapa. Since that time, it is said that many valuable items have disappeared from the cloister. On July 5, 2004, the Indian Supreme Court delivered a final judgement to grant Rumtek monastery to the Karmapa Charitable Trust, principal supporters of Thaye Dorje , one of
2072-508: The Chinese. The Trungpa tülkus are a line of incarnate Tibetan lamas who traditionally head Surmang monastery complex in Kham , now Surmang . There have been twelve such Trungpa tulkus. They are members of the Karma Kagyu tradition as well as the Nyingma tradition. These tulkus are recognized as reincarnations of Künga Gyaltsen (15th century), a student of Trungmase. The 11th Trungpa tulku
2146-739: The Dalai Lamas, Panchen Lamas and Mongolian lamas. Traditionally, the Panchen Lama is the head of Tashilhunpo Monastery , and holds religious and secular power over the Tsang region centered in Shigatse , independent of the Ganden Podrang authority led by the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama are closely connected, and each participates in the process of recognizing the other's reincarnations. The current 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima ,
2220-446: The Gyalwa Karmapa ( རྒྱལ་བ་ , 'Victorious One', and more formally as Gyalwang ( རྒྱལ་དབང་ཀརྨ་པ་ , 'King of Victorious Ones') The Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu , the largest sub-school of the Kagyu school ( Tibetan : བཀའ་བརྒྱུད , Wylie : bka' brgyud ), itself one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . The main seat of the four Tibetan seats of
2294-525: The Kadampa tradition and refrained from starting a tulku system. Therefore, although Gendun Drup grew to be a very important Gelugpa lama, after he died in 1474 there was no question of any search being made to identify his incarnation. Despite this, when the Tashilhunpo monks started hearing what seemed credible accounts that an incarnation of Gendun Drup had appeared nearby and repeatedly announced himself from
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2368-417: The Karmapa. Legend tells that in a previous eon, in a former life as an accomplished yogi , the Karmapa attained the eighth level or bhumi of the bodhisattvas . At this time, 100,000 dakinis (female buddhas) manifested their hair as a crown, and offered it to the Karmapa as a symbol of his accomplishment. Dusum Khyenpa , the 1st Karmapa, was regarded as an emanation of that yogi and his appearance
2442-829: The Karmapas is the Tsurphu Monastery in U-Tsang , along the Tolung valley of central Tibet . The Karmapa's seat built during the Tibetan diaspora is the Dharma Chakra Centre at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim , India . The international monastic seats are Karma Triyana Dharmachakra in New York and Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in Dordogne, France , and in Dominica . Born in 1985, it was a few years after
2516-519: The Panchen Lama. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima has never been publicly seen since 1995. The first Genyenma Ahkon Lhamo, a meditator recognized as a wisdom dakini was one of the main disciples of Namchö Mingyur Dorje (1645–1667) and sister of Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab, Migyur Dorje's Dharma heir and the First Throneholder of Palyul Monastery (founded 1665). She was credited as being instrumental to
2590-494: The Tibetan government and acknowledged by the emperors of Qing China . In her first incarnation, as Chökyi Drönma (1422–1455 CE ), she was the student and consort of the famous polymath Thang Tong Gyalpo , who first identified her as an emanation of Vajravārāhī , and the consort of Bodong Panchen. The seat of the Samding Dorje Phagmo is at Samding Monastery , in Tibet. The current (12th) Samding Dorje Pakmo Trülku
2664-451: The age of two, their curiosity was aroused. It was some 55 years after Tsongkhapa's death when eventually, the monastic authorities saw compelling evidence that convinced them the child in question was indeed the incarnation of their founder. They felt obliged to break with their own tradition and in 1487, the boy was renamed Gendun Gyatso and installed at Tashilhunpo as Gendun Drup's tulku, albeit informally. Gendun Gyatso died in 1542 and
2738-576: The blessings of a Buddha). It is said that by merely seeing the Black Crown during the ceremony, one will become a bodhisattva of the first bhumi within three lifespans. This is one of the key reasons why the Black Crown is so important to the Karma Kagyu lineage. In the early 1960s, the 16th Karmapa brought the Black Crown and other valuable relics of the Kagyu lineage to Rumtek monastery in Sikkim . They remained there in safekeeping until 1993 following
2812-469: The body incarnation was Dzongsar Khyentse Jamyang Chökyi Wangpo, who was enthroned at Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo's main seat at Dzongsar Monastery but died in an accident c. 1909. The activity incarnation Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö , who was originally enthroned at Katok Monastery succeeded him. The speech incarnation was the Second Beru Khyentse and the mind incarnation Dilgo Khyentse . Since
2886-536: The command". The current Tai Situpa, Pema Tönyö Nyinje , is the 12th. He is the head of Palpung Monastery . The Samding Dorje Phagmo ( Tibetan : བསམ་སྡིང་རྡོ་རྗེ་ཕག་མོ ) is the highest female tulku in Tibet and the third highest-ranking person in the hierarchy after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama . She was listed among the highest-ranking reincarnations at the time of the 5th Dalai Lama , recognized by
2960-516: The contemporary highly respected masters Shakya Śri and Lama Shang as the Karmapa, a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara , whose coming was predicted in the Samadhiraja Sutra and the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra . The Karmapa is a long line of consciously reborn lamas. A Karmapa's identity is confirmed through a combination realized lineage teachers supernatural insight, prediction letters left by
3034-537: The cultural adaptation and authenticity of Westerners within the traditional Tibetan tulku system. Some argue that Westerners should explore their own forms of Buddhism rather than attempting to fit into this system. Western tulkus may struggle to gain recognition among laypeople and even other monastics. Generally, Western tulkus do not follow traditional Tibetan monastic life, and commonly leave their home monasteries for alternative careers, not necessarily chaplaincy. The word སྤྲུལ or 'sprul' (Modern Lhasa Tibetan [ʈʉl] )
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3108-445: The earlier model of monastic governance, in which a celibate religious head acted as abbot, while his brother, a married administrative head, continued the family line, with his eldest son becoming the next religious head, creating an uncle-nephew system of inheritance. The first recognized tulku was perhaps Rangjung Dorje, 3rd Karmapa Lama . Giuseppe Tucci traced the origin of the tulku concept to Indian Vajrayana , particularly in
3182-513: The early 1960s, Dilgo Khyentse, single-handedly upholding the unique tradition of Khyentse incarnations, propagated Buddhism tirelessly in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet , and the West. Dudjom Lingpa (1835–1904) was a Tibetan meditation master, spiritual teacher and tertön . He stands out from the norm of Tibetan Buddhist teachers in the sense that he had no formal education, nor did he take ordination as
3256-626: The empowerment of Yamantaka from the Dalai Lama and the empowerment of Vajrayogini from the Dalai Lama's tutor, Trijang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso . She has been trained in the Bodongpa tradition and remains the head of the Samding Monastery . She simultaneously holds the post of a high government cadre in the Tibet Autonomous Region . She has as a result been accused of collaborating with
3330-503: The first to bear the title "Grand Situ " ( Chinese : 大司徒 ; pinyin : Dà Sītú ), conferred upon him in 1407 by the Yongle Emperor of Ming China . He was a close disciple of Deshin Shekpa, 5th Karmapa Lama , who appointed him abbot of Karma Goen, the Karmapa's principal monastery at the time. The full title bestowed was Kenting Naya Tang Nyontse Geshetse Tai Situpa which is shortened to Kenting Tai Situ . The full title means "far reaching, unshakable, great master, holder of
3404-665: The first to third Panchen Lamas posthumously. In 1713, the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty granted the title Panchen Erdeni to the 5th Panchen Lama . In 1792, the Qianlong Emperor issued a decree known as the 29-Article Ordinance for the More Effective Governing of Tibet , and Article One of the decree was designed to be used in the selection of rinpoches, lamas and other high offices within Tibetan Buddhism, including
3478-617: The founding of Palyul (now one of the Nyingma's six main or "mother" monasteries ) and for leaving a relic that is important to Palyul. During the cremation of her body, her kapala (top half of the skull) is said to have flown three kilometers and come to rest at the foot of the teaching throne of her brother. Found to be miraculously embossed with the sacred syllable AH, the kapala became an important relic housed at Palyul monastery in Tibet. The Third Drubwang Padma Norbu ("Penor") Rinpoche , 11th Throneholder of Palyul Monastery, former Supreme Head of
3552-503: The institutions and traditions which constitute Tibetan Buddhism as one of the Four Olds . As a result, Tibetan Buddhism has flourished in areas of Tibetan culture not under Chinese rule, such as Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of North India . In India, the traditional monastic system is largely intact and the tulku system remains politically relevant. Compounded with the inherent transnational character of proselytizing religions, Tibetan Buddhism
3626-482: The intermediate state of absolute reality, by taking refuge and praying to their teacher in the intermediate state they can close the way to an unfavorable womb and choose a favorable rebirth. Propelled by compassion and bodhichitta, they depart to a pure buddhafield or, failing that, take birth as a tulku born to parents who practice the Dharma. In that next life they will be liberated. In addition to Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism
3700-486: The lineage of Dalai Lama tulkus finally became firmly established when the third incarnation, Sonam Gyatso (1543–1588), came forth. He made himself known as the tulku of Gendun Gyatso and was formally recognised and enthroned at Drepung in 1546. When Gendun Gyatso was given the titular name "Dalai Lama" by the Tümed Altan Khan in 1578, his two predecessors were accorded the title posthumously and he became known as
3774-495: The mind incarnation of Ngawang Namgyal existed in Tibet, and was represented by Namkhai Norbu , who lived in Italy. The recognition of Panchen Lamas began with Lobsang Chökyi Gyaltsen , tutor of the 5th Dalai Lama , who received the title "Panchen Bogd" from Altan Khan and the Dalai Lama in 1645. Bogd is Mongolian, meaning "holy". Khedrup Gelek Pelzang , Sönam Choklang and Ensapa Lobsang Döndrup were subsequently recognized as
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#17330854174623848-405: The monk who came to be known as the ' First Dalai Lama ', but only from 104 years after he died. There had been resistance, since first he was ordained a monk in the Kadampa tradition and for various reasons, for hundreds of years the Kadampa school had eschewed the adoption of the tulku system to which the older schools adhered. Tsongkhapa largely modelled his new, reformed Gelugpa school on
3922-400: The occasion of her enthronement ceremony as Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo at Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC) in 1988. The relic remains at KPC and is displayed on auspicious days. Kongtrul tulkus are the main custodians of Jamgon Kongtrul (1813–1899). Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thayé was a Tibetan Buddhist scholar, poet, artist, physician, tertön and polymath. He is credited as one of the founders of
3996-519: The original Zhabdrung, the country sank into warring factionalism for the next 200 years. The body incarnation lineage died out in the mid-18th century, while the mind and speech incarnations of the Zhabdrung continued into the 20th century. The mind incarnation was the one generally recognized as the Zhabdrung . Besides the mind incarnation, there was also a line of claimants for the speech incarnation. At
4070-447: The philosophical system of trikaya or three bodies of Buddha , nirmanakaya is the Buddha's "body" in the sense of the bodymind (Sanskrit: nāmarūpa ). Thus, the person of Siddhartha Gautama , the historical Buddha, is an example of nirmanakaya. Over time, indigenous religious ideas became assimilated by the new Buddhism; e.g. sprul became part of a compound noun, སྤྲུལ་སྐུ་'sprul.sku' ("incarnation body" or 'tülku', and 'btsan',
4144-473: The previous Karmapa, and the young child's own self-proclamation and ability to identify objects and people known to its previous incarnation. After the first Karmapa died in 1193, a lama had recurrent visions of a particular child as his rebirth . This child (born c. 1205 ) was recognized as the Karma Pakshi, 2nd Karmapa Lama (1204–1283), thus beginning the Tibetan tulku tradition. Karma Pakshi
4218-461: The problem of succession. To neutralize the power of future Zhabdrung incarnations, the Druk Desi, Je Khenpo and penlops conspired to recognize not a single person but rather as three separate persons—a body incarnation ( Ku tulku ), a mind incarnation ( Thu tulku or Thugtrul ), and a speech incarnation ( Sung tulku or Sungtrul ). In spite of their efforts to consolidate the power established by
4292-504: The reincarnation. They may look for signs left by the departed tulku, consult oracles, rely on dreams or visions, and sometimes even observe natural phenomena like rainbows. This process combines mysticism and tradition to pinpoint the successor who will carry forward the teachings of their predecessor. A Western tulku is the recognized successor to a lama or dharma master born in the West, commonly of non- Tibetan ethnic heritage. This recognition has sparked debates and discussions regarding
4366-435: The seven branch prayer. These offerings allow the audience/participants to accumulate additional merit for the ceremony that ensues. The Karmapa then places the crown on his head while reciting the mantra ' Om Mani Padme Hung ', transmitting blessings to each participant in the ceremony to the extent that they are capable of receiving them (e.g., if in that moment one regards Karmapa as a living Buddha , then one will receive
4440-493: The son of Chögyam Trungpa . Initially, Westerners were not recognized as tulkus by the wider Tibetan diaspora. The recognition of Westerners as tulkus began in the 1970s, following the spread of Tibetan Buddhism to modern Western countries such as the United States . The first recognized Western tulku was Dylan Henderson, an American boy identified as his father's teacher, or alternatively Ossian MacLise. MacLise, however,
4514-464: The syllable "AH" appears. Penor Rinpoche acquired it from him on a return trip to Tibet in 1987. He had it preserved in a crystal lotus bowl. In 1987, Penor Rinpoche officially recognized Alyce Louise Zeoli as the tulku of Genyenma Ahkon Lhamo during her visit to his Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe , Karnataka , India. He gave her the crystal lotus bowl containing the relic of Ahkon Lhamo just prior to
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#17330854174624588-494: The term for the imperial ruler of the Tibetan Empire, became a kind of mountain deity). Valentine summarizes the shift in meaning of the word tülku : "This term that was originally used to describe the Buddha as a 'magical emanation' of enlightenment, is best translated as 'incarnation' or 'steadfast incarnation' when used in the context of the tulku system to describe patriarchs that reliably return to human form." According to
4662-402: The third in the lineage. The Tai Situpa lineage is one of the oldest tulku lineages in the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism In Tibetan Buddhism tradition, Kenting Tai Situpa is considered as emanation of Bodhisattva Maitreya and Padmasambhava and who has been incarnated numerous times as Indian and Tibetan yogis since the time of the historical Buddha . Chokyi Gyaltsen was
4736-493: The time the monarchy was founded in 1907, Choley Yeshe Ngodub (or Chogley Yeshey Ngodrup) was the speech incarnation and also served as the last Druk Desi. After his death in 1917, he was succeeded by Chogley Jigme Tenzin (1919–1949). The next claimant, unrecognized by the Bhutan government, lived at Tawang monastery in India and was evacuated to the western Himalayas during the 1962 Sino-Indian War . Another line of claimants to be
4810-493: Was Chögyam Trungpa (1940–1987). He was one of the most influential teachers of Buddhism in the West and founded Shambhala Buddhism . Choseng Trungpa Rinpoche is the 12th and current Trungpa tulku. In Bhutan , the title Zhabdrung Rinpoche refers to Ngawang Namgyal (1594–1651), the founder of the Bhutanese state, or one of his successive reincarnations . Following his death, the ruling authorities in Bhutan were faced with
4884-573: Was "grafted onto the tradition of recognizing reincarnations, not the other way around." Turrell V. Wylie wrote that the tulku system "developed in Tibetan Buddhism primarily for political reasons" while Reginald Ray argued that such a view ignores "miss[es] what is perhaps its most distinctive feature" which is its "important ideological and religious dimensions", being "deeply rooted" in the bodhisattva concept. Tulku have been associated with ruling power since its origination, expressing indigenous Tibetan notions of kingship. This system supplanted
4958-442: Was a disciple of the Tibetan master Gampopa . A talented child who studied Buddhism with his father from an early age and who sought out great teachers in his twenties and thirties, he is said to have attained enlightenment at the age of fifty while practicing dream yoga . He was henceforth regarded by the contemporary highly respected masters Shakya Śri and Lama Shang as the Karmapa, a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara , whose coming
5032-456: Was a verb in Old Tibetan literature and was used to describe the བཙན་པོ་ btsanpo ('emperor'/天子) taking a human form on earth. So the sprul idea of taking a corporeal form is a local religious idea alien to Indian Buddhism and other forms of Buddhism (e.g. Theravadin or Zen). The term tülku became associated with the translation of the Sanskrit philosophical term nirmanakaya . According to
5106-473: Was born in Kathmandu, Nepal . Düsum Khyenpa, 1st Karmapa Lama ( Wylie : Dus gsum Mkhyen pa , 1110–1193), was a disciple of the Tibetan master Gampopa . A talented child who studied Buddhism with his father from an early age and who sought out great teachers in his twenties and thirties, he is said to have attained enlightenment at the age of fifty while practicing dream yoga . He was henceforth regarded by
5180-541: Was predicted by the historical Buddha Shakyamuni in the Samadhiraja Sutra : A bodhisattva with the lion's roar will appear. He will use the power he achieved in deep meditation to benefit countless beings. By seeing, hearing, touching or thinking of him, they will be led to happiness The Karmapas were traditionally the teachers of the successive Ming dynasty Emperors of China . When the 5th Karmapa, Dezhin Shegpa , met
5254-538: Was predicted in the Samadhiraja Sutra and the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra . The source of the oral lineage, traditionally traced back to the Buddha Vajradhara , was transmitted to the Indian master of mahamudra and tantra called Tilopa (989–1069), through Naropa (1016–1100) to Marpa Lotsawa and Milarepa . These forefathers of the Kagyu (Bka' brGyud) lineage are collectively called the "Golden Rosary". The Karmapa
5328-460: Was recognized by the 14th Dalai Lama on 14 May 1995. Three days later, the six-year-old Panchen Lama was kidnapped by the Chinese government and his family was taken into custody. The Chinese government instead named Gyaincain Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama. Their nomination has been widely rejected by Buddhists in Tibet and abroad, while governments have called for information about and the release of
5402-665: Was revered as "His Holiness" and as a "Master of Masters". Black Crown The Black Crown ( Tibetan : ཞྭ་ནག་ , Wylie : zhwa nag ) is an important symbol of the Karmapa , the Lama who heads the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism . The crown signifies his power to benefit all sentient beings. Similar crowns in red are worn by the Shamarpa and the Tai Situpa , while Goshir Gyaltsab wears an orange crown. These crowns were bestowed by
5476-421: Was the first recognized tulku in Tibetan Buddhism that predicted the circumstances of his rebirth. The 8th, 10th, and 12th incarnations, as well as the 16th Karmapa , each faced conflicts during their recognition, which were ultimately resolved. There was a controversy over the enthronement of two 17th Karmapas. Gendun Drup (1391–1474), a disciple of the founder Je Tsongkapa , was the ordination name of
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