KARMAPAS RECOGNITION PROCEDURES

Excerpts from 'The Garland of Moon Water Crystal' (vol. I, pages 75-159; Excerpt vol. I, page 145)

The Second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1204-1283)

Kaydrub Urgyenpa (1230-1312) [the lineage-holder of the Karma kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism upon the demise of Karma Pakshi] approached the Karmapa asking if he would or would not reincarnate. Karma Pakshi answered that it was in his own hands whether he would or would not take rebirth.

He explained that at the time of Düsum Khyenpa, because of the actions of the disciple Gyaba Gangkarwa he had been discouraged thinking to himself that the lineage of the Black Crown holders could not continue.

But because of my compassion for sentient beings, Karma Pakshi explained, the lineage of the Black Crown holders will continue; my next reincarnation will appear in the west, in the direction of the setting sun. These words were written down and are the instructions that Karma Pakshi left in order to indicate his next reincarnation.

He also instructed Kaydrup Urgyenpa to safeguard 'The Instructions that Point Out the Three Kayas' (sku-gsum ngo-sprod) while giving him the black head-dress that signifies the status of the Karmapas. He also told Urgyenpa that he must also retain the key-instructions as to the indistinguishability of mind and prana which he had received from Karma Pakshi in order to return these items to their proper owner and that the proper owner would then claim them in the future.

Thus Karma Pakshi indicated that Kaydrup Urgyenpa would become the Lama to teach his next reincarnation. True to these words Urgyenpa did become the Lama of the third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje.

The third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339)