Difference between revisions of "The Eighth Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje (1507-1554)"
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| − | THE EIGHTH GYALWA KARMAPA, Mikyo Dorje, was heard to say, "Karmapa" at birth. This was reported to the Tai Situpa who confirmed the child to be the new Karmapa but asked the parents to keep this fact secret for three months, to protect the young incarnation. He devised a test, which the baby not only passed but to which he was heard to say, "E ma ho! Have no doubts, I am the Karmapa." | + | THE EIGHTH GYALWA KARMAPA, [[Mikyo Dorje]], was heard to say, "[[Karmapa]]" at [[birth]]. This was reported to the [[Tai Situpa]] who confirmed the child to be the new [[Karmapa]] but asked the [[parents]] to keep this fact secret for three months, to {{Wiki|protect}} the young [[incarnation]]. He devised a test, which the baby not only passed but to which he was heard to say, "E ma ho! Have no [[doubts]], I am the [[Karmapa]]." |
| − | He spent the next years at Karma Gon. When he was five, another postulant for the Karmapa title was put forward in Amdo. The Karmapa's regent, Gyaltsab Rinpoche, set out from Tsurphu to investigate the two children. However, on meeting Mikyo Dorje, he found himself spontaneously prostrating and knew that he was the real Karmapa. He enthroned him the following year. | + | He spent the next years at [[Karma]] Gon. When he was five, another postulant for the [[Karmapa]] title was put forward in [[Amdo]]. The [[Karmapa's]] regent, [[Gyaltsab]] [[Rinpoche]], set out from [[Tsurphu]] to investigate the two children. However, on meeting [[Mikyo Dorje]], he found himself spontaneously prostrating and knew that he was the {{Wiki|real}} [[Karmapa]]. He enthroned him the following year. |
| − | The Eighth Karmapa had many visions during his life revealing the inseparability of his own emanations and those of Guru Rinpoche, both being the emanations of Buddhas to accomplish enlightened activity for however long their teachings are extant. Thus he saw he had been the Guru Rinpoche of the former Buddha Dipamkara and, in general, the activity-aspect of all thousand Buddhas of our universe. | + | The [[Eighth Karmapa]] had many visions during his [[life]] revealing the inseparability of his own [[emanations]] and those of [[Guru Rinpoche]], both {{Wiki|being}} the [[emanations]] of [[Buddhas]] to accomplish [[enlightened]] [[activity]] for however long their teachings are extant. Thus he saw he had been the [[Guru Rinpoche]] of the former [[Buddha]] [[Dipamkara]] and, in {{Wiki|general}}, the activity-aspect of all thousand [[Buddhas]] of our [[universe]]. |
| − | Mikyo Dorje was one of the most renowned of the Karmapas, being a powerful meditation master, a prolific and erudite scholar, and author of some thirty important works, including very significant texts on the | + | [[Mikyo Dorje]] was one of the most renowned of the [[Karmapas]], {{Wiki|being}} a {{Wiki|powerful}} [[meditation master]], a prolific and erudite [[scholar]], and author of some thirty important works, including very significant texts on the |
| − | profoundest philosophy known to Buddhism: the devoid of other (shentong) view. This represents the zenith of the Middle Way (madhyamika) school of mahayana Buddhism and is a valuable antidote for misunderstandings of voidness. He expounded this view at length and debated | + | profoundest [[philosophy]] known to [[Buddhism]]: the devoid of other ([[shentong]]) [[view]]. This represents the [[zenith]] of the [[Middle Way]] ([[madhyamika]]) school of [[mahayana]] [[Buddhism]] and is a valuable antidote for misunderstandings of [[voidness]]. He expounded this [[view]] at length and [[debated]] |
| − | Mikyo Dorje was also a visionary artist, to whom we owe the Karma Gadri style of thangka painting--a very spacious, transparent and meditative style. He also composed one of the main devotional practices of the Kagyu school, known as the Four-Session Guru Yoga. | + | [[Mikyo Dorje]] was also a [[visionary]] artist, to whom we owe the [[Karma]] Gadri style of [[thangka]] painting--a very spacious, transparent and [[meditative]] style. He also composed one of the main devotional practices of the [[Kagyu]] school, known as the Four-Session [[Guru Yoga]]. |
| − | He had been invited to China when quite young, but declined, knowing that the emperor would be dead by the time of his arrival. His refusal offended the envoys carrying the invitation, who returned to China only to find that his prescience was correct. The emperor had died. | + | He had been invited to [[China]] when quite young, but declined, [[knowing]] that the [[emperor]] would be [[dead]] by the [[time]] of his arrival. His refusal offended the envoys carrying the invitation, who returned to [[China]] only to find that his prescience was correct. The [[emperor]] had [[died]]. |
| − | Realizing the imminence of his own passing, he entrusted a letter of prediction to the Shamarpa and passed away at the age of 47. | + | [[Realizing]] the imminence of his own passing, he entrusted a [[letter]] of prediction to the [[Shamarpa]] and passed away at the age of 47. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.kagyu.org/kagyulineage/lineage/kag23.php www.kagyu.org] | [http://www.kagyu.org/kagyulineage/lineage/kag23.php www.kagyu.org] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:09, 24 September 2013
THE EIGHTH GYALWA KARMAPA, Mikyo Dorje, was heard to say, "Karmapa" at birth. This was reported to the Tai Situpa who confirmed the child to be the new Karmapa but asked the parents to keep this fact secret for three months, to protect the young incarnation. He devised a test, which the baby not only passed but to which he was heard to say, "E ma ho! Have no doubts, I am the Karmapa."
He spent the next years at Karma Gon. When he was five, another postulant for the Karmapa title was put forward in Amdo. The Karmapa's regent, Gyaltsab Rinpoche, set out from Tsurphu to investigate the two children. However, on meeting Mikyo Dorje, he found himself spontaneously prostrating and knew that he was the real Karmapa. He enthroned him the following year.
The Eighth Karmapa had many visions during his life revealing the inseparability of his own emanations and those of Guru Rinpoche, both being the emanations of Buddhas to accomplish enlightened activity for however long their teachings are extant. Thus he saw he had been the Guru Rinpoche of the former Buddha Dipamkara and, in general, the activity-aspect of all thousand Buddhas of our universe.
Mikyo Dorje was one of the most renowned of the Karmapas, being a powerful meditation master, a prolific and erudite scholar, and author of some thirty important works, including very significant texts on the
profoundest philosophy known to Buddhism: the devoid of other (shentong) view. This represents the zenith of the Middle Way (madhyamika) school of mahayana Buddhism and is a valuable antidote for misunderstandings of voidness. He expounded this view at length and debated
Mikyo Dorje was also a visionary artist, to whom we owe the Karma Gadri style of thangka painting--a very spacious, transparent and meditative style. He also composed one of the main devotional practices of the Kagyu school, known as the Four-Session Guru Yoga.
He had been invited to China when quite young, but declined, knowing that the emperor would be dead by the time of his arrival. His refusal offended the envoys carrying the invitation, who returned to China only to find that his prescience was correct. The emperor had died.
Realizing the imminence of his own passing, he entrusted a letter of prediction to the Shamarpa and passed away at the age of 47.
