THE XIIth KARMAPA

(1703 - 1732) 

The twelfth Karmapa, Changchub Dorje, was born in the Dege area of Kham in the year of the Water Sheep (1703 C. F.). In accordance with the letter of prediction left by the pervious Karmapa, his birthplace was beside the Golden River (Yangtse). Shortly before his birth his father, who was the owner of a pottery business, had been told by Terton Minjur Dorje that an auspicious event was about to occur in his family. Changchub Dorje’s family was, in fact, descended from that of King Trisong Detsen. 

                  When he was two months old, Changchub Dorje was heard to declare, "I am the Karmapa." News of this and of Minjur Dorje's conviction that the infant was the new Karmapa incarnation, prompted the eighth Shamar Rinpoche to send a search party to find and test the boy. The party was conducted to the house by Terton Minjur Dorje himself. Changchub Dorje satisfied Shamarpa’s representatives that he was indeed the Karmapa incarnation. Subsequently, he was named Changchub Dorje by Shamar Rinpoche. During his early years he was instructed by several noted meditation masters and scholars, including Situ Chokyi Jungnay, Tsuglak Tenpi Nyingje and Nyenpa Tulku. At the age of seven, he arrived at Karma Gon. A little later Changchub Dorje journeyed to Kampo Gangra where he did some intensive meditation. From there he travelled to the Nangchen principality. 

                  On the way to Tsurphu, the young Karmapa made a pilgrimage to the caves at Baram, where Baram Darma Wangchuk had been in retreat. Barampa had been a close disciple of Gampopa and had founded the Baram Kagyu lineage. 

                  Finally, Changchub Dorje's party reached Tsurphu, where he continued his studies. Karmapa's innate spirituality unfolded itself in his dreams. He had a natural affinity for the teachings of the Kalachakra Tantra and in one night he dreamt that he visited Sambala, where he received the empowerment and textual transmission of Kalachakra from King Rigden of Sambhala, who was the holder of the Kalachakra teaching lineage.

                   The lifetime of the twelfth Karmapa was again a troubled period. The Dzungarian Mongols attacked central Tibet, killing Lapzang Khan, Minling Lotsawa Dharma Sri, Padma Gyurme Gyatsho and many other great Nyingma masters. During four years of conflict, many monasteries were destroyed, including Mindroling and Dorje Drag. Relics and treasures were stolen and the entrances to the Padmasambhava caves were obstructed. 

                  When the seventh Dalai Lama, Kalzang Gyatsho returned from Kham, the invaders retreated. Changchub Dorje went to visit Kalzang Gyatsho to whom he made appropriate offerings and received the latter's blessing. 

                  When Karmapa had arrived back at Tsurphu he was visited by Katok Tsewang Norbu, to whom he gave teachings on the six yogas of Naropa and mahamudra. This lama was a famed meditation master and terton of the Katok Nyingma lineage. He in turn instructed Changchub Dorje in some Nyingma doctrine. 

                  Karmapa set out on a pilgrimage to the sacred places of Nepal. Included in his party were Shamar Rinpoche, Situ Rinpoche and the seventh Gyaltshab Rinpoche. they were welcomed in Kathmandu by King Jagajayamalla, who feted them with a great ceremony. During his stay in Nepal, Changchub Dorje visited Yanglayshod, where Guru Padmasambhava accomplished the meditation on Vajrakilaya in order to destroy all hindrances to his compassionate activity. There, Karmapa and his party performed spiritual practices of Padmasambhava in wrathful aspect, and thus, renewed the link with the inspiration of the "Lotus Born" guru.

                  An influenza epidemic had broken out in the Kathmandu valley and Changchub Dorje's aid was required. Karmapa performed the spiritual practice of Avalokitesvara first, and then having symbolically purified an amount of water with the compassion of Avalokitesvara, he, together with the other lamas in his party, blessed the area in a water purification ceremony. The epidemic was stopped and the king arranged a festive celebration in Karmapa's honour. 

                  Subsequently, Changchub Dorje, together with Shamarpa and Situ Rinpoche, travelled on to Kusinagara in northern India. the place of Sakyamuni Buddha's decease. Throughout the journey, Situ Rinpoche's sophisticated scholarship greatly impressed the Hindu panditas whom he met in discussion. Many became his students as a result of his mastery of philosophy and linguistics.

                   On the return journey to Tibet, Karmapa and his party visited a cave in the vicinity of Jomo Gangkar mountain, where Lesom Gendun Bum, Milarepa's principal female student, had practiced intensive meditation. The party then visited Mount Kailasa, which was renowned as the spiritual environment of Chakrasamvara. About this time Changchub Dorje received an invitation to visit China from the emperor, Yung Ching. He decided to accept the invitation and together with Shamarpa, Situpa and Gyaltshabpa, he slowly travelled back to Tsurphu. 

                  Having arrived back at Tsurphu, Karmapa did not set out immediately for China. He went into retreat and then visited Lhasa and travelled to southern Tibet, giving teachings to many people. Changchub Dorje met Surmang Trungpa Rinpoche, on whom he bestowed the mahamudra and the six yogas of Naropa. 

                  Karmapa entrusted Situ Chokyi Jungnay with the guardianship of the Karma Kagyu school, during his visit to China. In addition, Situ Rinpoche was asked to complete all the texts that Karmapa and Shamarpa had started. In 1725, after giving Situpa some empowerments, Changchub Dorje and Shamar Rinpoche set out for China. When the party reached Amdo province, Karmapa performed a special ceremony for world peace. Later Changchub Dorje performed another ceremony at Lake Kokonor. 

                  As he travelled on into China, Karmapa gave teachings and empowerments, especially that of Vajrapani, embodiment of the power of buddhahood. Changchub Dorje met with the rulers of the districts through which he passed and discussed dharma with them. The party finally arrived at Lan Chu in 1732, where Changchub Dorje visited the Tara and Avalokitesvara temples, as well as the Taoist temples. While in Lan Chu. Karmapa contracted smallpox. He sent a letter containing details of his next rebirth to Situ Rinpoche. On the thirtieth day of the tenth month of the year of the Water Rat (1732) he passed away.

                  The principal students of Change hub Dorje were Situ Chokyi Jungnay, Pawo Tsuglak Dondrub and his reincarnation, Drukchen Kagyu Thinley Zhingta.

Reproduced with permission of the Very Venerable Karma Thrinley Rinpoche.