Short Life story of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa

His Holiness Trinlay Thaye Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, was born May 6th, 1983. He is the first-born of the 3rd Mipham Rinpoche and Dechen Wangmo. He was ordained as a monk by taking refuge vows at Buddha Gaya Temple where he was given the name Trinlay (Buddha activity) Thaye (limitless) Dorje (unchanging). At age ten he was recognized by His Holiness the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, second in the line of lineage holders of the Karma Kagyu, as being the 17th emanation of the Karmapa.
His Holiness studied in New Delhi under various Buddhist scholars including the late Togpa Rinpoche, vajra master of Tsurphu Monastery in Tibet. In early 1996, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje gave his first Chenrezig (Skt. Avolikitisvara) initiation in this life at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in New Delhi India. Chenrezig represents the love and compassion of all Buddhas, which the Karmapas are considered to be a manifestation of.
In 1997, after the death of Togpa Rinpoche, His Holiness was officially invited to Bhutan for the cremation ceremony and was received with full honors. The short journey to the Bhutanese capital Thimpu took seven hours as thousands awaited him along the road for his blessings. This marked the beginning of a now well-established relationship between His Holiness the 17th Karmapa and the Royal family of Bhutan.
The Karmapa returned to New Delhi to continue his studies under the guidance of Shamar Rinpoche, receiving many transmissions and empowerments in the tradition of his predecessors. In 1999 His Holiness visited South East Asia including a visit to the Singapore Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre and the Kuala Lumpur Centre (Karma Kagyu Dharma Society). During his travels His Holiness gave refuge vows, and conducted numerous initiations such as the Karma Pakshi (the 2nd Karmapa) and Chenrezig empowerment. After returning to India for only a short time, HH 17th Karmapa traveled to Europe, participating in many ceremonies and giving various empowerments and initiations in Germany, France, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, and Denmark. In 2001 His Holiness was invited to Nepal to officially open Drubgyud Choeling Monastery in Lumbini. Becoming a seasoned traveler His Holiness has since journeyed to the United States, Spain, Czech Republic, and made repeat visits to many European nations.
. Currently, His Holiness Trinlay Thaye Dorje is finishing his studies in Kalimpong, India under the direction of the famous Buddhist scholar Professor Sempa Dorje. His objective as spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu is to spread the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings and to keep the unbroken lineage of the Karma Kagyu flourishing. As for the proliferation of Vajrayana Buddhism in the west, His Holiness plans to continue to teach the Dharma according to ones culture and views while maintaining the essence of the Karma Kagyu lineage.