Nine hundred years ago, the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, inspired his disciples through his teachings and through the example of his life. This first English translation of his teachings and biographies allows contemporary readers to experience this great master's forthright manner, feel his commitment to practice, and receive the teachings he gave in both word and deed.

The biography of the first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa.

The Karmapa is the spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The present Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, is the sixteenth of the line which began with Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa, in the twelfth century. Karma Thinley presents the biographies of all the Karmapas, based on his translations from numerous Tibetan sources. These biographies are not only histories of the training and teaching of these great teachers; they are also inspirational texts used to cultivate devotion in the practitioner. Accompanying the text are sixteen line drawings, based on the thangka paintings of the Karmapas at Rumtek monastery, the seat of the present Karmapa.

The dissertation contributes to an area of knowledge that to date has received limited attention, namely the Karma Bka'-brgyud tradition of Buddhism. Specifically, it adds new insights into the life and work of one of his founding fathers rge renowned 12th century Buddhist master Dus-gsum-mkhyen-pa (Düsum Khyenpa). The research suggest that his main goal was to embody the bodhisattva ideal in Buddhism, i.e. making progress in capabilities in order to guide sentient beings in general and one's students in particular. His main biography, the Gser gling - “A Golden World” -, offers a record of his own journey on the bodhisattva path. The biography dates from the early thirteenth century. The Gser gling itself is a unique record of how Düsum Khyenpa manifests the bodhisattva ideal, through ten past lifetimes, his 12th century life, and three future lifetimes. The Gser gling combines bodhisattva path and biography in an unprecedented way, and is based in large on words of the master himself. The dissertation also presents his “autobiographical notes”, Zhus lan 2, “An Exchange between Sgam-po-pa and Düsum Khyenpa”. This Zhus lan 2 describes Düsum Khyenpa's “Awakening”, which itself is the main goal on the Buddhist path. Furthermore, the dissertation adds knowledge to a specific 15th century untitled group of works, which I call the “Düsum Khyenpa Collection”. The dissertation explores this collection of very diverse scriptures that all, in one way or another, are related to Düsum Khyenpa.

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 his disciples describing the place and circumstances of their future rebirth, the name 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 in the West on this subject, with information from Tibetan, Chinese, Mongolian, French, and English sources.

Remarkable teachings on essence Mahamudra given by Gampopa to his main disciples, such as the first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa.