Shamarpa

The Shamarpa lineage

The successive reincarnations of the Shamarpa are recorded in "The Garland of Moon Water Crystal" by the 8th Tai Situpa Chökyi Jungne and Belo Tsewang Künkhyab. The first Shamarpa, Khedrup Drakpa Senge (1284–1349), was the principal disciple of the 3rd Karmapa. The Good Kalpa Sutra predicted that a maha-bodhisattva with a ruby-red crown would lead beings from suffering, and Karma Kagyus believe this was fulfilled in the Shamarpa, whose crown was presented by the 3rd Karmapa.

The 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi, foretold that future Karmapas would manifest in two nirmanakaya forms. The ruby-red crown is an exact replica of the Karmapa's black crown, symbolizing the identicalness of the Shamarpas and Karmapas. The first Shamarpa spent his last 20 years in retreat at Tsurphu and Nenang Monasteries. Shamar Khachö Wangpo (1350–1405), recognized by the 4th Karmapa, was the main lineage holder of the 4th Karmapa and passed esoteric instructions to the 5th Karmapa; his collected works comprise eight volumes.

Shamar Chöpal Yeshe (1406–1452) constructed monasteries and retreat-centers and abolished animal sacrifice in regions of Tibet. He received the Kagyu transmission from the 5th Karmapa. The Yongle Emperor, a student of the 5th Karmapa, gave gifts to the Shamarpa, who reminded the emperor of benevolence. The 3rd Shamarpa also enthroned the 6th Karmapa and gave him his first teachings.

Namling Shamar

After the death of the 9th Shamarpa, two children were identified as candidates: Mipam Chödrup Gyamtso, stepbrother of the 6th Panchen Lama, and Könchok Garwang Gyatso of the Namseling family. A lottery resolved the dispute, with Mipam Chödrup Gyamtso enthroned as the 10th Shamarpa.

Könchok Garwang Gyatso became known as the Shamar Trisur and resided at Namseling Manor near Samye Monastery. After his death around 1792, a reincarnation was identified, establishing the Namling Shamar lineage. The most recent Namling Shamar was the 5th, identified by the 15th Karmapa (1871–1922) and living until 1982.

Controversy

In 1792 the Tibetan government accused the 10th Shamarpa of inciting a war between Tibet and Nepal, leading to his exile and a ban on recognizing his future incarnations. The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa commented that during that period merit diminished, political interference was heavy, and it was not practicable to recognize or enthrone any Shamarpa, though incarnations appeared secretly.

In 1963, following a request from the 16th Karmapa, the Tibetan Government in Exile lifted the ban, and the 14th Shamar Rinpoche was officially enthroned. Another controversy arose in 1992 during the search for the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, dividing the Karma Kagyu sangha over two candidates. The candidates Ogyen Trinley Dorje and Thaye Dorje have met and issued joint statements calling for cooperation and the wish to find the 15th Shamar Rinpoche together.

14th Shamarpa

The 14th Shamarpa, Mipham Chokyi Lodro, was born in 1952 in Derge, Tibet. At age four, he identified himself by recognizing senior monks from Yangpochen monastery. His uncle, the 16th Karmapa, confirmed him as the reincarnation. He was formally enthroned in 1964 at Rumtek monastery, where the Karmapa composed a poem for the occasion.

Shamar Rinpoche learned the complete Kagyu teachings from the 16th Karmapa and remained with him until the Karmapa’s death in 1981. He authored “Creating a Transparent Democracy” and established the Infinite Compassion Foundation, which advocates for humane treatment of animals raised for food. He passed away on 11 June 2014 in Germany.