The ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (1556-1603), was born in the Treshod region of East Tibet. He, too, sat up at birth and declared "I am the Karmapa!". Not surprisingly, this engendered a fair amount of talk in the neighbourhood, which reached the ears of Kyamo Nangso Chokyung Tashi, a student of Mikyo Dorje who had been told by his master that he would serve him once again in his next incarnation.

He went to see the child, and took him to Kyamo Lhundrub Tse Monastery. Eventually Shamar Konchog Yenlag and Situ Chokyi Gocha heard of this special child, and determined that he was indeed the Karmapa. Situpa took it upon himself to travel to visit the child, to give him the long-life empowerment of Amitayus, the Buddha of Limitless Life. It was not until later, at Lhundrub Tse, that Shamarpa met the new Karmapa, and gave him refuge vows and extensive teachings.

Once Wangchuk Dorje had received the complete Kagyu transmission, he began to travel and teach throughout Tibet. He frequently acted as arbitrator in local disputes, and took steps to improve the living conditions of the people; as a result he was regarded as the secular leader of Tibet as well as a great religious leader.