| Biography |
| His Holiness 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje |
| The Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism is characterised by a line of incarnations of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, referred to as the Gyalwang Karmapa - "the Activity of all Buddhas". The Karmapas were prophesied by the Buddha in the Samadhirajasutra and were the first line of incarnate lamas in Tibet. (see the Karma Kagyu web page). Each Karmapa is self-recognised, in that they usually leave a prediction letter foretelling the details of their next birth. The incarnation of the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa was found in accordance with instructions contained in a prediction letter he gave to His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche a few months before his death. His Holiness gave him what he thought was a talisman - a small silk brocade pouch containing prayers - with the words, "In the future this will be very beneficial." Tai Situ Rinpoche had no idea it contained the prediction letter and dutifully wore it around his neck for protection. After a number of years had passed without any indication where His Holiness had been reborn, His Eminence had a dream that prompted him to open the pouch. Inside, he found an envelope with the instruction that it be opened in the Iron Horse Year. He then called for a meeting at Rumtek, the Seat of His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa, and presented the letter at the appropriate time. The news was then communicated to His Holiness the Dalai Lama who confirmend the authenticity of the letter as it accorded with a sacred vision that he himself had had. He had seen a place that was beautiful, green and barren. He said the mountains were not high and there were two small streams flowing on each side. There were no people or animals around but the sound, "Karmapa", permeated all of space. His Holiness said he awoke from this sacred vision with a profound feeling of peace and happiness. His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa was born exactly as foretold in the Prediction letter. He was born as the first rays of the sun broke on 26th June 1985 to a nomadic family in Lhatok, East Tibet. Apon his birth, a beautiful bird called the "King of Birds" landed on his tent and sang a beautiful song. His mother had experienced many vivid and wonderful dreams during her pregnancy. In one such dream, Guru Rinpoche sent her a bowl of yoghurt adorned by a golden letter proclaiming the recognition of her son. This letter, she was told, was to remain secret until the time was right. On the night before his birth, his father had observed an unusual rainbow over their tent. As a young child, Karmapa was gifted with an air of authority and clairvoyance. He was, for instance, able to tell people where to find lost sheep or cattle. At the insistence of the abbot of the local monastery, he spent four years under his care as an unrecognised incarnate lama. A local oracle predicted the young boy would greatly benefit sentient beings but that this wouldn't become clear until he was about eight years old. In his book, "Karmapa", Ken Holmes writes: "During this phase, he spent moments back with his family in their nomadic round. In those periods, his parents report that he would often build toy monasteries from earth and stone, or else make a small throne and sit on it to recite prayers. They say he would ride off into the hills on the backs of goats or wild animals, that he would cry whenever animals were being hurt or killed and that he always showed compassion. He showed a particular interest for trees, frequently planting them and being upset if he saw trees or plant life being destroyed. It is said that springs often emerged where he had planted small clumps of trees." In 1992, he insisted his family move to their summer pasture a month early. This then put them in the area predicted in the letter of his previous incarnation in time to be found by the search party. On confirming the identity of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, the search party then sent word to His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche and His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche in India. They, in turn, informed His Holiness the Dalai Lama who had just recently returned from New Zealand and was now en route to South America to attend the Earth Summit. His Holiness then granted his official recognition and confirmation of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. His Holiness recieved his hair-cutting and naming ceremony at the foot of Tibet's most famous statue, the Jowo Rinpoche, at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa and was later enthroned at Tsurphu Monastery. This event was attended by representitives from all over the world, including a delegation from New Zealand, headed by Venerable Lama Samten and Venerable Lama Shedrup - of Karma Choeling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, Kaukapakapa. |
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