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Shamarpa

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The 14th Shamarpa teaching

The Shamarpa (Tibetan: ཞྭ་དམར་པ་, Wylie: zhwa dmar pa; literally, "Person (i.e. Holder) of the Red Crown"),[1] also known as Shamar Rinpoche, or more formally Künzig Shamar Rinpoche, is the second-oldest lineage of tulkus (reincarnated lamas). He is one of the highest lineage holders of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and is regarded as the mind manifestation of Amitābha. He is traditionally associated with Yangpachen Monastery near Lhasa.

The first Shamarpa, Drakpa Senggé (Wylie: grags pa seng+ge, 1283–1349),[2] received the title "Shamarpa", and a red crown, an exact replica of Karmapa’s black crown from Rangjung Dorje, 3rd Karmapa, establishing the second line of reincarnate lamas in Tibetan Buddhism.[3][4] The Karmapa was the first.

The Shamarpa is often referred to as the "Red Hat Karmapa", especially in early Kagyu texts.[5][6]

The 5th Dalai Lama saw the Shamarpa as equal to the Karmapa:

Since Je Chen-nga Thamchad Khyenpa Chokyi Dragpa (the Fourth Shamarpa) ascended the throne of the Phagdrupa dynasty, there was no longer any difference between the Red Hat and the Black Hat Karmapas. This was the reason why I afforded them both equal status.[7]

The Shamarpa lineage

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Shamarpa considered to be successive reincarnations are listed in "The Garland of Moon Water Crystal" by the 8th Tai Situpa Chökyi Jungne and Belo Tsewang Künkhyab.[8]

Chodag Yeshe Palzang, the 4th Shamar Rinpoche, 16th-century painting from the Rubin Museum of Art
Mipam Chokyi Wangchug (1584–1630), the 6th Shamar Rinpoche, 16th-century painting from the Rubin Museum of Art
  1. Khedrup Drakpa Senge (1284–1349) was the principal disciple of the 3rd Karmapa. The Good Kalpa Sutra predicted that, "in the future, a maha-bodhisattva with a ruby-red crown shall come to the suffering multitude, leading them out of their cyclic bewilderment and misery." It is a common belief among Karma Kagyus that Buddha Shakyamuni’s prediction was fulfilled in the appearance of the Shamarpa, whose ruby red crown was presented by the 3rd Karmapa to the first Shamarpa, Khedrup Drakpa Senge. In addition the 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi, predicted that "future Karmapas shall manifest in two Nirmanakaya forms." The ruby-red crown is an exact replica of Karmapa’s black crown (apart from the color). In this manner it was meant to symbolize the identicalness of the Shamarpas and the Karmapas. The first Shamarpa spent the last 20 years of his life in retreat at Tsurphu and Nenang Monasteries teaching students dedicated to attaining enlightenment.[9]
  2. Shamar Khachö Wangpo (1350–1405) was recognized by the 4th Karmapa.[10] Having been the student and main lineage holder of the Fourth Karmapa, he passed on the esoteric instructions of the Karma Kagyu tradition to the 5th Karmapa. His collected works comprise eight volumes and are considered to have given specific meaning to many Kagyu teachings.[11]
  3. Shamar Chöpal Yeshe (1406–1452). Chöpal Yeshe is renowned for having constructed several monasteries and retreat-centers. He was also able to abolish the practice of animal sacrifice in the regions of Tibet where that custom had continued as a part of animist rituals.[12] The 3rd Shamarpa was given the Kagyu transmission[13] and full authorization to teach by the 5th Karmapa. The Yongle Emperor of China, who was also a student of the 5th Karmapa, was intrigued by Shamarpa’s ability to recall past lives in vivid detail. Out of devotion, he gave precious gifts to the Shamarpa. In a letter of thanks Shamarpa reminded the emperor of the basic principle of benevolence in Buddhism, that he might be ever mindful of the well-being of his people.[14] The 3rd Shamarpa also enthroned the 6th Karmapa and gave him his first traditional teachings.[15]
  4. Shamar Chokyi Drakpa Yeshe Pal Zangpo (1453–1526) was recognized by the 7th Karmapa, who became his Lama. The famous Tibetan monastery Ga Mamo Tashi Rabten was founded by him. He also established many smaller monasteries. During his travels outside Tibet, Chökyi Tragpa built many monasteries, among others there are four monasteries in Bhutan and he was the first of the Shamar reincarnates to visit Nepal where he built a small monastery in Swayambhunath, one of the country's most sacred places. Upon returning to his homeland, he acted as the king of Tibet for a period of twelve years and he ruled the country on the basis of strict adherence to Buddhist principles.
  5. Shamar Köncho Yenlak (1526–1583) was identified by the 8th Karmapa at the age of 2[16] and became one of his most outstanding students.[17] Shamarpa stayed with the Karmapa until the age of twelve, receiving the Six Yogas of Naropa, Mahamudra, and other teachings of the Kagyu lineage.[16] The 8th Karmapa entrusted the 5th Shamarpa with the letters containing the prediction of his next rebirth. The 5th Shamarpa also recognized and became the Lama of the 9th Karmapa, giving him refuge and the Bodhisattva promise, ordination, as well as transmissions on various texts and meditations—including the texts and tantric meditations of the Kagyu lineage.[18]
  6. Shamar Mipan Chökyi Wangchuk (1584–1629) was recognized by the 9th Karmapa who was his main Lama.[19]
  7. Shamar Yeshe Nyinpo (1631–1694) was recognized by the 10th Karmapa, and he became the Karmapa's disciple.
  8. Palchen Chökyi Döndrup (1695–1732) was born in Yilmo, Nepal and was taken to Tibet at age 7. He received teachings and instructions from the 11th Karmapa before his death. The Shamarpa in turn, recognized and enthroned 12th Karmapa as the 12th Karmapa and acted as his Root-guru.[19]
  9. Könchog Geway Jungnay (1733–1741) was born in Paro in Bhutan, and was discovered by the 13th Karmapa, but lived only until age nine.[19]
  10. Mipam Chödrup Gyamtso (1742–1793) was the stepbrother of the 6th