Wangchuk Dorje, 9th Karmapa Lama

Wangchuk Dorje (Tibetan: dbang rdo rje phyug; * 1556 Treshö, † 1603) was the 9th Karmapa of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Life

Wangchuk Dorje was born in accordance with the prediction of its predecessor Mikyö Dorje in Treshö. He was the fourth Tai Situpa Chokyi Gocha ( 1542-1585 ) and of 5 Sharmapa Könchog Yenlag ( 1526-1583 ) is recognized as the 9th Karmapa. Like his predecessor, he also declared soon after his birth, he was the Karmapa. At the age of six, he was enthroned by Könchog Yenlag.

After he had received the full teachings of the Karma Kagyu school, he began to teach in Tibet everywhere. His visits were organized in monastic camps, which he, however, strictly maintained his meditation practice. Wangchuk Dorje did not travel to China, but in Mongolia and Bhutan. He often gave teachings and let monasteries and temples restored wherever he was. The Ninth Karmapa also received an invitation to Sikkim, where he founded the monasteries of Rumtek, Phodong and Ralang. Like its predecessor, was also Wangchuk Dorje a hardworking author who wrote commentaries on sutra and tantra and also three mahamudra writings wrote: " The ocean of true meaning " ( Tib. nges don rgya mtsho ) to "drive the darkness of ignorance " (Tibetan: ma rig mun sel) and " highlighting the Dharmakaya " ( Tib: chos sku mdzub tshugs ). These texts play a major role in the teaching and transmission of the Mahamudra.

Wangchuk Dorje died at the age of 48 years, leaving the 6th Shamar Chokyi Wangchuk a prediction about his upcoming rebirth. Chokyi Wangchuk (1584-1630) was the next main lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu. Another famous student Wangchuk Dorje was Jonang Taranatha.

Works

• Henrik Havlat ( translator's ): Mahamudra - The ocean of true meaning. 2nd revised edition. Publisher Monsenstein and Vannerdat, Münster 2009, ISBN 978-3-86582-882-8