| Prediction Letter |
| In the tradition of prevoius Karmapas, His Holiness 16th Gyalwang Karmapa left a letter before his death stating the time, location and circumstances of his next rebirth. A translation of this letter (with notes in brackets) reads as follows: |
| "E Ma Ho! Self-awareness is always bliss. The Dharmadhatu has no centre nor edge. From here to the North, in the East of the Land of Snow, is a country where the divine thunder spontaneously blazes. |
| (Tibet is commonly referred to as Land of Snow. His Holiness was born in Lhatok, which means, "Divine Thunder") |
| In a beautiful nomad's place with the sign of a cow |
| (The nomadic community where he was born is called Barkor. "Ba" means "cow".) |
| The method is Dondrup and the wisdom is Lolaga |
| (His father's name is Karma Dondrub and mother's name, Loga.) |
| Born in the year of the one used for the Eart |
| (His Holiness was born in the Year of the Wood Ox. Wood grows from the earth and Oxen plough the earth.) |
| With the miraculous, far-reaching sound of the White One |
| (After his birth the mysterious sound of a Conch shell was heard. The conch is a symbol of Chenresig, of whom he is an emanation. Chenrezig - Avalokiteshvara - is white in colour.) |
| This is the one known as Karmapa. He is sustained by Lord Donyo Drup |
| (This referes to H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche, who was largely responsible for finding His Holiness.) |
| Being non-sectarian, he pervades all directions. Not staying close to some and distant from others, he is the protector of all beings. The sun of the Buddha's dharma that benefits others always blazes |