KARMAPA

Karmapa: 

• The Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
  
  
• The historical seat of the Karmapas is Tsurphu Monastery in the Tolung valley of Tibet.
  
  
• The Karmapa's principal seat in exile is the Dharma Chakra Centre at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India.
  
  

Karmapa controversy:

• The recognition of the 17^th Karmapa, has been the subject of controversy.
  
  
• Since the death of the 16^th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, in 1981, two candidates have been put forward:
  • Ogyen Trinley Dorje (born 1985) and
    
    
  • Trinley Thaye Dorje (born 1983).
    
    
  
  
  
• Both have already been enthroned as 17^th Karmapa, and both independently have been performing ceremonial duties in the role of a Karmapa.
  
  
• While the recognition of Ogyen Trinley "appears to have been accepted by a majority of Karma Kagyu monasteries and Lamas, there remains a substantial minority who have not accepted him as Karmapa. These include the Shamar Rinpoche, who historically has been the person most directly involved in the process of recognition.
  
  
• The Dalai Lama as well as the Chinese government had, in 1992, recognised Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the rightful heir to the position, but India has not accepted that as there are other contenders.