His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa

In my last post I added a postscript introducing a Youtube video of the 17th. Karmapa, and a discussion of his possible role in the future of Tibet and the Free Tibet movement. To learn more about the 17th. Karmapa, I went to YouTube's "4FreeTibet2008" channel, where I found this 12 part series by Clemens Kuby called “Living Buddha.” It is the story of the death of the 16th. Karmapa, which happened in Chicago in 1981, and his rebirth as the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa in Tibet in 1985.

Following the death of the 16th., a search was conducted, based on a predictive letter he had left behind. The 17th. Gyalwa Karmapa was found living with a family of nomads in a remote area of eastern Tibet. His birthname was Ogyen Trinley Dorje.

The Karmapa is the traditional head of the Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, known as the Black Hats. There appears to have been an historical rivaly between the Black Hats and the Yellow Hat Gelugpa sect of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. However, the Dalai Lama welcomed the Karmapa to Dharmasala following the Karmapa's escape from Tibet.

Clemens Kuby follows the search party and documents the 17th. Kamrmapa’s life up to his first public blessing at age eight.

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