The Gyalwa Karmapa is an enlightened being, the holder of the teachings of the transmission of the Kagyu lineage.

The teachings of this lineage originate from the Buddha and have been preserved in a pure and authentic form up to the present day through transmission from master to disciple.
The Gyalwa Karmapa is the recipient of these teachings and the entire blessing that they confer. The teachings cannot be confined merely through texts. They are incarnated and experienced by great adepts of whom Gyalwa Karmapa is an example.

The Kagyu Lineage

The Kagyu lineage originates from the primordial Buddha, Dordje Tchang.
Tilopa then received the essence of the teachings directly from him and transmitted them to Naropa.

Afterwards the lineage was implanted in Tibet, through the efforts of Marpa the translator and his successors, Milarepa and Gampopa.
Since Gampopa, the transmission has been ensured by a succession of incarnate masters under the name of Karmapa, meaning "the holder of enlightened activity."

It was with the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rigpei Dorje, that the Kagyu teachings began to spread to the West and throughout the world.
The Dharma continues to develop but it must remain authentic and pure. It is the role of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje to ensure this continuity.

The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa
Tina Draszczyk, a translator at the Karmapa's International Buddhist Institute in New Delhi (India), met with and interviewed the Karmapa. Prior to relating their exchange, she describes succinctly the Karmapa lineage, and briefly explains how Thaye Dorje was recognized as the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. She also provides explanations concerning the recognition of a different Karmapa. Then with surprising maturity, the Gyalwa Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje, who has just turned 17, answers questions concerning his international tour which began in November of 1999. He explains the meaning of the initiations and blessings that he gave. He makes it clear that his sphere of activity is solely spritual in nature. Karmapa also provides important advice to disciples who are troubled by the existence of another Karmapa.
The Karmapa explains the importance of the initiations he received from Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche, one of the few great masters still living today.

The Gyalwa Karmapa was in France with his entourage of monks and professors to study for several months at Kundreul Ling, a monastic hermitage near Clermont-Ferrand (Auvergne).

In April 2000, the Karmapa received the transmission of the "Drubtap Kundu" from Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche. Shamar Rinpoche, the first regent and head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, also effected certain transmissions. Just before the transmissions, Trinley Thaye Dorje was ordained as a novitiate monk by Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche on April 7, 2000.
Lama Yeshe Nyingpo, one of the retreat masters at Kundreul Ling, gives a concise explanation of why the Gyalwa Karmapa came to the monastic hermitage to receive the transmissions.

In an interview with lama Dorje Dreulma on May 1, 2000, the Gyalwa Karmapa speaks of the practicing Buddhists he encountered in the Western hemisphere.

The Eighteen Birthday of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje. (May 6, 2001)

Drubgyud Choeling Monastery was officially opened on 21 November 2001, with HH 17th Karmapa, Thaye Dorje in attendance.

About the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa's Five Wishes
Lama Jigme Rinpoche

Lama Jigme Rinpoche, could you tell us why the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa decided to spread the Dharma in the West ?

"I think that Karmapa saw how much the Dharma's expansion in the West could help individuals to develop enlightened qualities, not only in the West but throughout the whole world.

In this way beings can come into contact with the Dharma which is already a great benefit. It is a benefit for the mind's development through engendering the enlightened attitude. It is also beneficial in activity when one puts it into practice in daily life.

Gyalwa Karmapa's decision is the expression of a Bodhisattva's wishes.
The wish is to lead beings to free themselves from confusion and to live in harmony, that there is mutual understanding between beings so that they may live in peace and that the Dharma may develop everywhere.

This is not done through force, but rather in a natural way.
The spreading of the Dharma depends upon those who are searching and trying to find the means to progress on the spiritual path.
These people encounter the Dharma, and once the connection is established, they put it into practice."

In the Lankavatara sutra, Buddha declares : 

"In the northern country will appear the one who increases virtue, the supreme spiritual friend. The one who possesses the greatest enlightened power, who has the greatest ascetic ability, who many will listen to. He will carry the name of 'the knower of the three times' or 'the holder of all the Buddhas' activity: Karmapa.' Whoever sees his face, be it only once, will be freed from their obscuring veils, as it is prophesied that simply seeing him brings liberation."