This beautifully illustrated authoritative guide to the Karma Kagyu lineage, and Tibetan Buddhism in general, was first published to mark the 900th anniversary of the birth of the first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, and has been translated into over a dozen languages.

It starts with the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha and takes us through the historical development of Buddhism in India and Tibet, which brought about the creation of the Marpa Kagyu, the unique tradition of the Dharma master and translator, Marpa Lotsawa. Within this tradition, further developments led to the founding of the Dagpo Kagyu by Lord Gampopa, and then the founding of the Karma Kagyu or Karma Kamtsang, the lineage headed by the Karmapas. The book features a brief account of each Karmapa, from the 1st to 16th, and their heart deciples, recognition process, crowns, seats and main activities.

“Karmapa: 900 Years” was produced under the guidance of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. This revised and updated ebook edition was first published in 2017 in cooperation with KTD Publications.

May this 900th anniversary likewise bring people together, no matter where they live in the world, on a shared spiritual journey. I aspire that you Dharma brothers and sisters, and friends living all over the world, may view from afar the land of our ancestors and the beauty of nature, as our hearts and minds soar freely in flight through the unchanging and unending sky, bringing along our hopes and melodious songs of praise as we call out together in pure and perfect song.
— From “Introduction to Karmapa 900” by His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje