History of the Sixteen Karmapas of Tibet

The Karmapa is the spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The present Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, is the sixteenth of the line which began with Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa, in the twelfth century. Karma Thinley presents the biographies of all the Karmapas, based on his translations from numerous Tibetan sources. These biographies are not only histories of the training and teaching of these great teachers; they are also inspirational texts used to cultivate devotion in the practitioner. Accompanying the text are sixteen line drawings, based on thethangkapaintings of the Karmapas at Rumtek monastery, the seat of the present Karmapa.

Karma Thinley Rinpoche, born in East Tibet is a meditation master, artist, and scholar. He is the founder of the Kampo Gangra group of Buddhist centers in Canada, America, and Great Britain.