The coming of the Sharmapa to this world was predicted by Buddha Shakyamuni in the Good Kalpa Sutra:"In future, a Maha-bodhisattva with a ruby-red crown shall come to the suffering multitude, leading them out of their cyclic bewilderment and misery."
It was also the prediction of the 2nd Karmapa that in future the Karmapas were foreseen to manifest in two separate Nirmanakaya forms of which the Shamarpa is the one of the manifestations.Thus, the responsibility of up-holding the line of continuity in the Kagyu Teachings rests equally on both the Karmapa and the Shamarpa.
The 3rd Karmapa presented the 1stShamarpa (1283-1349) with a ruby-red crown, which is the exact replica of his own black crown. It was to be a symbol of their identicalness.For this exemplary disciple was in every aspect his equal, being as unsurpassed in realization as he was in accomplishments. With the red crown, the Karmapa also bestowed on him the name "The Shamarpa"
- "The one with the Red Crown".
His Holiness, the 14th Kunzig Shamarpa was born auspiciously in Tibet in the year 1952 as the nephew of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. Due to the uncertain political situation in Tibet, he left with the His Holiness, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa to settle in Sikkim. The enthronement of His Holiness, the 14th Kunzig Shamarpa took place in 1964 at the Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim. He received all the instructions of the Kagyu lineage from His Holiness, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. Besides that he also studied the traditional arts and sciences, the sutras and the tantras from few great Rinpoches.When he finished his studies in 1979, he left for Nepal to take up residence as the Chief Representative of the Kagyu Teachings. After His Holiness, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa passed away in 1981, the Shamarpa undertook to complete His Holiness, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa unaccomplished projects of building a large institute of Buddhist Studies (The Karmapa International Buddhist Institute) in New Delhi. With his good aspiration and dedicated effort, he managed to complete it in 1990 in accordance with the wishes of His Holiness, the Gyalwa Karmapa.
As for the Shamarpa himself, who is always workingtirelessly to benefit sentient beings, has in his vision, the revival of the true spirit of the Mahamudra. His vision includes the setting up of a teaching centre with special emphasis on Mahamudra, that future generations may not be deprived of something, which is the very essence of Buddhism, and uniquely Kagyu in lineage
Return to Singapore DharmaNet