H.H. 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje

H.H. 16th Karmapa

Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, was born on the fifteenth day of the sixth month of the male wood rat year (1924) at Denkhok on the banks of the Dri Chu river, near Derge, Eastern Tibet. His father's name was Tsewang Paijor and his mother was called Kalzang Chosdun. While still in his mother's womb the baby could be heard reciting the "Mani" Mantra.
 
The previous Karmapa: Khakhyab Dorje (1871-1922), left a letter with the following detailed instructions: "East of Tsurphu, close by a river, in a place that long ago had belonged to Pawo Denma Yulgyal Tokgod and to the Minister of Ling Kesar, on the Pal hill, decorated with the letters 'A' and 'thup', is a house made of earth, belonging to a Royal and religious family. The birth will take place there on the fifteenth day of the sixth month of the rat year."

Both Situ Tulku and Jamgon Khongtrul Tulku had clear visions of the Athup palace and sent off a party for the new incarnation. Upon their arrival the party heard of the birth of the remarkable child, in conditions exactly as had been predicted in the letter. The search was over. Thus the sixteenth Karmapa was recognised.
 

In 1931, at the age of seven, he performed his first Black Crown ceremony. Thousands were witness to this amazing event. It was said that a rain of flowers fell and the sky was filled with rainbows. Even while still very young, the great power of the 16th Karmapa became widely known. It was recorded that he took his attendant's sword and tied it in a knot.  He received his hair cutting ceremony at age thirteen from Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama. (see the photo)

At the age of 23 Karmapa received his final ordination, along with the initiations and explanations of the highest Karma Kagyu teachings. In 1959, due to the occupation of Tibet, Karmapa decided to flee his country, realizing that the cause of the Dharma would be served best by escaping the ever-tightening grip of Communist China. Accordingly, accompanied by an entourage of 160 lamas, monks and laymen, Karmapa left Tsurphu monastery, the traditional seat of the Karmapas, and proceeded towards Bhutan. Under Karmapa's guidance the party was able to take along the most precious statues, ritual items, relics, thangkas and books, which had been preserved at Tsurphu monastery over the centuries.
 

The ruler of the state of Sikkim in North-Western India offered the Gyalwa Karmapa Rumtek monastery, which was built during the time of Karmapa's 9th incarnation, Wangchuk Dorje (1556 -1603). Karmapa undertook the construction of a new monastery in Rumtek, which due to the generous help of the Indian government and the ruler of Sikkim, was completed in four years. The new monastery in Rumtek became Karmapa’s official seat outside Tibet and a center of Buddhist study, ritual, and practice. 

In 1974 the 16th Karmapa led a party of Karma Kagyu lamas to the West, visiting Europe, America and Canada, and for the first time people in the West had the chance to participate in the Black Hat ceremony, which Karmapa performed on a number of occasions.

When driving around major European cities he had never visited before, on several occacions he would say, "Park over there!" Taking his companions by the hand, and leading them around the next corner, there would stand the largest bird shop in town. Once inside, he would listen for a moment and then say: "That one tells the finest stories, but the one over there only talks nonsense."

Reaching into the cage, the bird he wanted would fly to him. In their amazement, the owners often nearly gave them to him. He said mantras and blew cold and warm air on them while telling the people with him, "I am teaching them meditation."

In July 1981 Karmapa began the reconstruction of temples and meditation centers. He had thousands of Dharma texts printed and distributed, among these 500 copies of the Dege-edition of the Kanjur. Even during the last months of his life he worked hard to spread the Dharma.

As death approached, he had taken a half-dozen deadly diseases upon himself. Using his yogic power, he removed much of their harmfulness, at least for those in his powerfield. He also allowed the physicians to test their medicines on him. Some of their findings were amazing: even the highest doses of sedatives had absolutely no effect on him. He cared for their well-being and never talked about himself. 

He died in the USA in a hospital in Zion near Chicago on November 5th, 1981, at 8:30 p.m. local time. His death was a last teaching on impermanence for everybody present, and indeed for all of us.