Karmapa

The Karmapa is the spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu lineage, one of the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The title means "the one who performs enlightened activity." The first Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa (1110–1193), was a disciple of Gampopa. The lineage is known for its emphasis on the practice of Mahamudra, a meditation system aiming at direct realization of the nature of mind.

The institution of the Karmapa is unique in Tibetan Buddhism because it was the first lineage to be consciously reincarnated. Each Karmapa is believed to be a reincarnation of the previous one, inheriting their spiritual qualities and responsibilities. This system of recognized reincarnation, or tulku, has since been adopted by other Tibetan Buddhist lineages.

The current head of the Karma Kagyu lineage is the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who was enthroned in 1992. His predecessor, the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, passed away in 1981. The succession of the Karmapa has sometimes been a subject of controversy and political complexities, particularly following the Chinese annexation of Tibet. Despite these challenges, the Karma Kagyu lineage and the institution of the Karmapa continue to be a significant force in Tibetan Buddhism worldwide, with centers and practitioners across the globe.