Guru Rinpoche

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 - (karma pa dus gsum mkhyen pa) (1110 - 1193)
  
• 2nd Karmapa Karma Pakshi - (karma pakshi) (1204 - 1283)
  
• 3rd Karmapa Rangung Dorje - (karma pa rang 'byung rdo rje) (1284 - 1339)
  
• 4th Karmapa Rolpey Dorje - (karma pa rol pa'i rdo rje) (1340 - 1383)
  
• 5th Karmapa Deshin Shekpa - (de zhin gshegs pa)(1384 - 1415)
  
• 6th Karmapa Thongwa Donden (1416 - 1453)
  
• 7th Karmapa Chodrak Gyatso (1454 - 1506)
  
• 8th Karmapa Mikyo Dorje (1507 - 1554)
  
• 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje - (karma pa dbang phyug rdo rje) (1556 - 1603)
  
• 10th Karmapa Chöying Dorje (1604 - 1674)
  
• 11th Karmapa Yeshe Dorje (1676 - 1702)
  
• 12th Karmapa Changchub Dorje (karma pa byang chub rdo rje) (1703 - 1732)
  
• 13th Karmapa Dudul Dorje (1733 - 1797)
  
• 14th Karmapa Thekchok Dorje (1798 - 1868)
  
• 15th Karmapa Khakyab Dorje (1871 - 1922)
  
• 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rikpey Dorje (rang 'byung rig pa'i rdo rje) (1924 - 1981)
  
• 17th Karmapa controversy:
  
  • Orgyen Trinley Dorje (b. 1985)
    
  • Trinle Thaye Dorje (b. 1983)