Karmapa

Subject – Art and Culture

Context – India working for return of Karmapa

Concept –

The Karmapa is the leader of the Karma Kagyu branch of Buddhism.
Since the 12th century the Karmapas have been the heads of the Karma Kaygü lineage and responsible for the continuation of this direct transmission lineage.
The present Karmapa is OgyenTrinleyDorje, is the 17th in the line of Karmapa incarnations.
The 17th Karmapa has a strong following in Sikkim where he remained popular despite having stayed away from India for the past four years.

Karma Kagyu school:

The Karma Kagyu lineage belongs to one of the 4 main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. As a lineage of direct oral transmission it places particular emphasis on meditation and the realization of the direct experience of mind gained through the guidance of a teacher.
The Karma Kagyu lineage has its roots in the teachings of the historical Buddha and developed into a practical way to enlightenment in India and Tibet.
For over a 1000 years Buddhist Masters (Mahasiddhas) such as Naropa and Maitripain India as well as the famous Tibetan Yogis Marpa and Milarepa shaped the lineage as a practical everyday practice for lay people.