Masters of esoteric knowledge and miraculous practices, the lineage of the Karmapas is the earliest of all the recognized incarnate lineages and is said to descend from the great Indian tantric master Tilopa through a chain that includes Naropa, Marpa, and Milarepa. The Karmapas are distinguished by their black crowns, said to have been woven by dakinis and symbolizing the activity of the buddhas. Unlike other Tibetan Buddhist lineage heads, each Karmapa has specific knowledge of his next reincarnation and leaves behind a "Last Testament," a letter to their disciples describing the place and circumstances of their future rebirth, the names of their parents, and so on. At a very young age each successive incarnation is often able to recognize himself as the Karmapa.

In their recounting of the histories of the seventeen Karmapas, the authors reveal the universal and marvelous concealed in the everyday world. Their lively account, peppered with anecdotes, is the most comprehensive history in the West of the Karmapas.
History of the Karmapas: The Tibetan Masters with the Black Crown; Lama Kunsang, Lama Pemo, and Marie Aubele; Snow Lion Publications; Paperback; 316 pp; $26.95

Lama Kunsang and Lama Pemo (Oliver and Lydia Brunet) completed the traditional three-year retreat under the guidance of the first Kalu Rinpoche and Bokar Rinpoche. They then spent five years in a monastery in the Himalayas, working as part of Kalu Rinpoche's translation committee. They currently teach Buddhism and meditation in Europe and Asia.

Marie Aubelle, a student of Tibetan Buddhism for many years, is a French writer and editor.

CONTENTS: History of the Karmapas
Map of Tibet	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Translators' Word	xiii
About the Authors	xv
Introduction by Mila Khyentse Rinpoche	1
THE FIRST KARMAPA, Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193) Birth in Eastern Tibet * Central Tibet, a Melting Pot of Buddhist Sciences* Gampopa and the Kagyu Lineage * "The Three Men of Kham" * Transmissions * Enlightenment and the Black Crown * Prophesied by the Buddha * A Great Activity * Return to Central Tibet * Last Testament and Tulkus * The Ultimate Meditation * The Golden Rosary	27
THE SECOND KARMAPA, Karma Pakshi (1204-1283) "Blessed by the Dakinis" * Establishing the Monastic Code * A Great Activity * The Mongols Become Interested in Tibet * First Trip to Kubilai Khan * The Powerful Mongka Khan * Kubilai Khan's Revenge * The Statue of the "Ornament of the World" * Tsurphu, Blessed Land of the Karmapas * Numerous Prophetic Visions * An Extraordinary Death	45
THE THIRD KARMAPA, Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339) "The Moon Has Risen" * Meeting with the Accomplished Orgyenpa * Journey to Eastern Tibet and Continuation of Study * Peregrinations in Tibet * In Khanbalik (Beijing) with the Mongol Emperors * Return to Tibet * The Karmapa in the Moon	59
THE FOURTH KARMAPA, Rolpe Dorje (1340-1383) "I Will Have Many Disciples" * First Encounters with His Masters * Tibet in Turmoil * Studies at Tsurphu * Restoring Ties with the Mongol Emperor * Meeting with the Young Tsongkhapa * At the Imperial Court in Khanbalik (Beijing) * Return to Tibet * Incessant Journeys throughout the Land of Snows
THE FIFTH KARMAPA, Deshin Shekpa (1384-1415) "I Bow before All the Buddhas" * In Nanjing, at the Court of the Ming Dynasty * "The Hundred Marvelous Acts" and the Black Crown * Peace and Harmony * Emergence of the Geluk Lineage * The Prophecy * Rainbows and Rain of Flowers	87
THE SIXTH KARMAPA, Thongwa Donden (1416-1453) "I am the Unborn, Free of Names and Places" * Recognition of the Tulku * Liturgies and the Buddhist Canon * The Great Encampment of the Karmapa * Tangtong Gyelpo, Bridges, and Goddesses * The Regency	99
THE SEVENTH KARMAPA, Chodrak Gyamtso (1454-1506) "For Me, There Is Neither Birth Nor Death" * Way of Life and Teachings * Philosophical Education through Debate * In the Fortress of the Rinpung Princes * The Next Pearl * "You Must Emanate Many Incarnations of Yourself"	109
THE EIGHTH KARMAPA, Mikyo Dorje (1507-1554) "Do Not Doubt, I Am the Karmapa" * Enthronement and Numerous Visions * With the King of Jang * The Root Lama * The "Adamantine Sow" * Master of the Arts * Maturity and Activity * Taking on of Illness	117
THE NINTH KARMAPA, Wangchuk Dorje (1556-1603) An Itinerant Life * A Gigantic Thangka and Ritual Dances * A Complex Political Situation * The Emergence of the Dalai Lamas * From Southern Tibet to Sikkim * Embalming	129
THE TENTH KARMAPA, Choying Dorje (1604-1674) A Gifted Child * Central Tibet in Great Upheaval * A Long Journey * Mongol Surge * Thirty Years in Exile * Return to Lhasa	141
THE ELEVENTH KARMAPA, Yeshe Dorje (1676-1702) "I Am the Karmapa" * Lhasa in the Seventeenth Century * Spiritual Treasures and Their Revealers * A Great Activity	151
THE TWELFTH KARMAPA, Jangchub Dorje (1703-1732) Childhood in Kham * "The Land of Meditators" * The Mongol Tribes Strengthen the Pressure * To Nepal and India * The Eighth Tai Situpa and the Derge Printing House * Last Journey * Passing of Two Masters * The Funerary Stupas of the Karmapas	159
THE THIRTEENTH KARMAPA, Dudal Dorje (1733-1797) Birth in Southern Tibet * Miracles and Consecrated Pills * The Passing of His Master, the Eighth Tai Situpa * Monasteries and Monks * Troubles in Nepal and Effects on the Shamarpas * The Passing	171
THE FOURTEENTH KARMAPA, Thekchok Dorje (1798-1868) First Years * The Rime Movement * The Great Terton * A Vision of Twenty-One Karmapas * The "Wild Situpa" * Bestowing Transmissions	179
THE FIFTEENTH KARMAPA, Khakhyab Dorje (1871-1922) A Canopy of Rainbows * With His Masters * The Death of Old Khyentse * Link with Bhutan * A Terton Karmapa * A Family of Tulkus * The Great Dakini of Tsurphu * The Two Last Testaments	191
THE SIXTEENTH KARMAPA, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981) First Years in Eastern Tibet * To Central Tibet * An Undisciplined Disciple * A Journey Full of Surprises * Studies at Palpung * Return to Central Tibet * First Journey to India and Nepal * The Karmapa's Animals * Tibet in Difficulty * Transmissions * Travel in China * Second Pilgrimage to India * Exile * In Sikkim * New Monastery in Rumtek * Helping the Tulkus * Three Masters in One * The Karmapa and the West * Alleviating the Suffering of Beings * The Great Departure	203
HIS HOLINESS THE SEVENTEENTH KARMAPA, Ogyen Trinley Dorje (born in 1985) "He who Brings Happiness" * The Last Testament * Enthronement Ceremony at Tsurphu * Tsurphu's Revival * Intensive Training and Constant Surveillance * The Escape from Tibet * From Nepal to India * His Teachers * The Kagyu Monlam * Bodhisattva Activity	235
Appendix A: The Black Crowns of the Karmapa	257
Appendix B: The Lineage of the Golden Rosary	261
Appendix C: The Different Incarnation Lineages in the Karma Kagyu Tradition	263
Appendix D: The Principle Contemporary Masters of the Karma Kagyu Tradition	267
Glossary	273
Notes	281
Bibliography	307
Index of Persons	311