Karmapa

The Karmapa lineage is widely recognized as the first lineage of reincarnate lamas in Tibet. The main seat of the Karmapa's is Tsurphu, located in Central Tibet. The 16th Karmapa established his seat-in-exile at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India.

• 1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa (dus gsum mkhyen pa) (1110 - 1193)
• 2nd Karmapa Karma Pakshi (karma pakshi) (1204 - 1283)
• 3rd Karmapa Rangung Dorje (rang 'byung rdo rje) (1284 - 1339)
• 4th Karmapa Rolpe Dorje (rol pa'i rdo rje) (1340 - 1383)
• 5th Karmapa Deshin Shekpa (de bzhin gshegs pa)(1384 - 1415)
• 6th Karmapa Thongwa Donden (mthong ba don ldan) (1416 - 1453)
• 7th Karmapa Chodrak Gyatso (chos grags rgya mtsho) (1454 - 1506)
• 8th Karmapa Mikyo Dorje (mi bskyod rdo rje) (1507 - 1554)
• 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje (dbang phyug rdo rje) (1556 - 1603)
• 10th Karmapa Chöying Dorje (chos dbyings rdo rje) (1604 - 1674)
• 11th Karmapa Yeshe Dorje (ye shes rdo rje) (1676 - 1702)
• 12th Karmapa Changchub Dorje (byang chub rdo rje) (1703 - 1732)
• 13th Karmapa Dudul Dorje (bdud 'dul rdo rje) (1733 - 1797)
• 14th Karmapa Thekchok Dorje (theg mchog rdo rje) (1798 - 1868)
• 15th Karmapa Khakyab Dorje (mkha' khyab rdo rje) (1871 - 1922)
• 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rikpe Dorje (rang 'byung rig pa'i rdo rje) (1924 - 1981)
• 17th Karmapa is contested between, at least, two candidates.
  • Orgyen Trinley Dorje (o rgyan phrin las rdo rje) (b. 1985); recognized as the only incarnation by the 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche, Gyaltsap Rinpoche and confirmed by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.
  • Trinle Thaye Dorje (phrin las 'mtha yas rdo rje)(b.1983); recognized by Shamar Rinpoche.