THE GOLDEN KAGYU GARLAND

Excerpts from The Garland of Moon Water Crystal by Situ Chokyi Jungnay and Belo Tsewang Kunkhyab

The Eleventh Karmapa, Yeshe Dorje (1676-1702) was born at Maysho in Eastern Tibet. He was identified as the reincarnation of Karmapa Choying Dorje by Shamar Yeshe Nyingpo, who initially brought him to his seat, Yangchen Monastery in Central Tibet. From there the young Karmapa went to Tsurphu Monastery, one of the three seats of the Karmapa in Tibet, where he was enthroned.

Shamarpa transmitted the Kagyu teachings to him. He also received Tercho teachings that originate with the Indian master Padmasambhava from Yongay Mingyur Dorje and Taksham Nuden Dorje. The scriptures tell us that Padmasambhava had foretold that the eleventh Karmapa would be the holder of certain Tercho lineages.

The Karmapa found and identified the eighth Shamarpa, Palchen Chokyi Dondrub, who became his principal disciple and the next lineage holder. Karmapa Yeshe Dorje passed away in his twenty-seventh year.

The Eighth Shamarpa, Chokyi Dondrub (1695-1735)