Shamar Rinpoche, is recognised as a Bodhisattva of equal realisation to that of the Karmapas. He is the embodiment of the continuation of the activity of the Karmapa between incarnations. His main responsibility is to protect the Karma Kagyu lineage, to spread it and keep it alive so that it can be given back to the next Karmapa completely pure. He has the exclusive and personal responsibility to recognise the new incarnation of the Karmapa. Since traditionally he is the only one to have this duty, his overriding concern, since the 16th Karmapa passed away, has been to find the new Karmapa and ensure his authenticity.
