Today for HH 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley’s 41st birthday, now officially celebrated on the first day of the fifth lunar month when he was born in Tibet, here is the first in a series of posts I will be publishing to celebrate and commemorate the life, legacy and activities of this great vajra Buddhist master and lineage head. Later today, I will publish a brand new (and first) translation of the 12 page Introduction by the 17th Karmapa from one of his newly published compositions on an important Karma Kagyu practice and tradition.
There are no words to express the depth, vastness and extent of the activities and mind of someone like the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. I have written here before about the amazing talents and abilities of the 17th Karmapa, as a writer, poet, artist, vajra master, musical composer, poet playwright, feminist, environmentalist, vegetarian and so on here. There is really no-one comparable to him at all in any of the four main Tibetan Buddhist lineages, regardless of whatever PR statements, photos, or numbers of online followers someone might have on social media. The 17th Karmapa also happens to be extremely handsome and attractive physically. These are all signs of his extraordinary karma and merit.
On 21st June 2025, I was also fortunate to be able to attend a long-life ritual and birthday commemoration for the 17th Karmapa at the Palpung Taoyuan centre led by HE 7th Gyaton Rinpoche, who gave an auspicious mandala offering to the 17th Karmapa, and a moving speech about his amazing efforts for the Dharma, sometimes only getting one hour sleep per night.
The 17th Karmapa’s activities are even more extraordinary considered that he has faced (and still faces) so many challenges and difficulties in terms of impostors to his name/title, being blocked from meeting his heart-son teachers (like 12th Tai Situpa), assassination attempts, police investigations, political pressures and Gelug sectarianism, and various factions within and outside Tibetan Buddhism trying to tarnish his name and block his activities in Tibet and in exile. For more on that see the Change.org petition (with updates) I launched a few months ago support his return to Rumtek Monastery here. Also, see this article I wrote about some of the Tibetan Buddhist factions/lineage teachers who unethically falsely accused the 12th Tai Situpa of fradulently creating the 16th Karmapa’s sacred handwritten letter (and of his being a Chinese spy), and supported an unofficial Karmapa candidate for his title, black crown and property for many years after to this day. In that respect, the 17th Karmapa is comparable to one of his predecessors, the 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi who had such incredible siddhi powers he was able to escape and survive several serious assassination attempts on his life by Mongolian violence.
However, despite all that, for anyone with any real discernment and intelligence, there can be no doubt he is the one and only Karmapa, which can be clearly seen from his vast abilities, intention and activities for the Buddha Dharma, the Karma Kagyu, his followers, Tibet, the environment, women, status of nuns, protecting animals and his life-long commitment to not eating slaughtered animals (since 2005).
As a naturally arising symbol of my devotion and respect, after being brought away from worldly activities onto the Dharma Path by him individually for the first time in 2005 (taking refuge vows with him in a private audience one to one in India), voluntarily (for zero payment or public reward/acknowledgement) since 2018 onwards (also during the two year COVID-19 lockdown period) I have happily and joyfully dedicated huge amounts of time, effort and passion, body, speech and mind towards supporting, defending and expanding the name and activities of the 17th Karmapa and Karma Kagyu. In fact, around 30-40 percent of the work on this website is connected to or about him or the previous Karmapas. You can search on the website with the term “17th Karmapa” and see what there is yourself.
In that respect, I do not need to prove my devotion and connection with mere words at all. The activities are there to be seen by those who wish to do so. However, for those who may not be aware and are followers of the Karmapa, below I have listed just a few of the continual offerings I have made to support his lineage and legacy. Although there have been times I have find it difficult to understand or appreciate his actions and movements (even infuriated and have written so!), our vajra love, union and connection remains stable and inseparable, and that again is due to his power of samaya (and mine) and of his vast love and compassion.
May the Gyalwang Karmapa and have happy, healthy and long-life and may I never be separated from him, his offerings and blessings, and the Buddha Dharma in all my lifetimes until full awakening. Music? Long-Life Prayer for the 17th Karmapa chanted by Karma Kagyu nuns and Playing in the Blissful Lotus Heart (Karmapa Khyenno) by Adele Tomlin/Dakini Songs, and Let’s Stay Together by Al Green.
Written translations, transcripts and summaries
I have offered many new and original translations, transcripts, summaries of teachings and texts specifically connected to the 17th Karmapa, please see the section of the website dedicated to him here.
E-book compilations
Also, there are several free downloadable e-book compilations of the 17th Karmapa’s teachings on specific subjects (see here), such as this e-book on Buddhism and Eating Animals/Vegetarianism here.
Video transcripts/translations/podcast offerings
For videos I have specially translated and created of the 17th Karmapa’s teachings (including the original Tibetan), see the Youtube channel playlist here.
Including a video podcast interview in 2023 with the British journalist, Mick Brown, who wrote the only independent and objective analysis of how the 17th Karmapa was discovered and the trials and tribulations that followed afterwards in the excellent book, Dance of 17 Lives.
Art Reviews
For several reviews of the 17th Karmapa’s stunning artworks and his poetical praises, see the website section dedicated to art here.
Poetry Offerings
As for poetry offerings for the 17th Karmapa, here is a poem I composed in his honour in 2024 called A Lone Songbird’s Warbling Lament. Video/audio rendition here:
Musical Offerings
Recently, the 17th Karmapa’s activities inspired me to create these two musical compositions:
- Red Tārā mantra
2) Playing in the Blissful Heart
Also, a unique vocal and musical ode to the Karmapa himself (Karmapa Khyenno) mantra called Playing in the Blissful Lotus Heart, a song that speaks to the pain, sadness and suffering of samsara, of physical separation from the guru and returning to the silently loving, playful, joyful Buddha/Guru Within.
As well as this video dedicated to the 17th Karmapa’s Long-Life with vocal sample of Karma Kagyu nuns chanting the verses:
Thank you for your outstanding dedication to the Karmapa and to the BuddhaDharma.
You are welcome! Thank you for your kind comments.