Logo of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye DorjeThaye DorjeHis Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa

Biography of Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa

From childhood in Tibet to travelling the globe as a world Buddhist leader. From traditional texts to social media. The life story of Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, spans East and West, just as his activity bridges traditional values and contemporary issues. Here is Karmapa’s official short-form biography:

Karmapa was born on 6 May 1983 in central Tibet. His parents are the great Nyingma lama Mipham Rinpoche and Dechen Wangmo. As soon as he could speak, he told them he was the Karmapa. The Karmapas are the leaders of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

In March 1994, in accordance with the 900 year old tradition, Thaye Dorje was enthroned as the 17th Karmapa. His Holiness the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, the second most senior Karma Kagyu lama, enthroned him. The 14th Shamarpa, Mipham Chokyi Lodro was himself recognized by the 16th Karmapa in 1957 and officially enthroned in 1963. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche passed from this life on 11 June 2014.

The first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, was born in 1110. The first Dalai Lama, Gendun Drub, was born in 1391. The Karmapa leads the longest unbroken chain of reincarnated leaders among the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Karmapa escaped from Tibet in 1994. In 2003, his formal education was completed when he received the title of Vidyadhara, or Knowledge Holder of the Sutras and Tantras.

Trinley Thaye Dorje means Limitless Unchanging Buddha Activity. Karmapa resides in Delhi, India. On 25th March 2017, Karmapa married Sangyumla Rinchen Yangzom (a Tibetan name meaning ‘Precious Prosperity Gathered’), who was born in Thimphu, Bhutan. On 11th August 2018, Karmapa and Sangyumla’s son Thugsey was born.

The 10th and 15th Karmapas were also married and had children. The 15th Karmapa fathered three sons, two of whom were recognised as His Eminence 2nd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and His Holiness the 12th Shamarpa.

Today, Karmapa travels extensively, meeting students, young people, world leaders, and leading lights in the fields of spirituality, peace, conflict resolution, and education. He has the spiritual responsibility for over 900 monasteries and meditation centres around the world.

Karmapa & the Kagyu lineage

Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, is the head of the oldest reincarnate lineage in the world. Read more about Karmapa in his biography.

Karmapa teaches that to achieve peace – be it personal peace, or world peace – we must cultivate our Inner Wealth, practice non-material values, and invest in education and literacy.

“It is essential that non-material values are supported, to help us cultivate balanced and beneficial human beings, who also use their material wealth for the greatest benefit of our fellow human beings.”

“The emphasis and direction of education should not just be about accumulating information to serve outer wealth, but to help develop consciousness, to help young people nurture their innate values of wisdom and compassion for the benefit of society.”

“If there is richness within each and every one of us – Inner Wealth – then there is an almost limitless supply in the vision and values of our young people.”