Trinley Thaye Dorje

Trinley Thaye Dorje in ceremonial costume

Thaye Dorje's carefully orchestrated escape from Tibet to India in 1994 received no media attention. Thaye Dorje was kept out of the spot light so that he could receive the education, transmissions, and practice time necessary to develop the qualities required of the Karmapa.[5]

Thaye Dorje has received training and transmissions in Buddhist philosophy and practice. His teachers have included the 14th Shamar Rinpoche, Professor Sempa Dorje and Khenpo Chödrak Tenphel. As a result of this, Thaye Dorje was enthroned as Vidhyadhara (Knowledge Holder) by the 14th Shamarpa in December 2003 at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute.[6]

Alongside this traditional Buddhist training, Thaye Dorje has received a modern Western education from English and Australian tutors and an intensive introduction to Western philosophy from Professor Harrison Pemberton of Washington and Lee University in the United States.[7]

Thaye Dorje currently lives in Kalimpong, India where he continues the thorough traditional education required for a holder of the Karmapa title.

On 17 May 2006 Trinley Thaye Dorje was officially appointed by the Karmapa Charitable Trust as the legal and administrative heir of the 16th Karmapa and can therefore, according to the Trust, live in Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim. However, because the monks currently in physical control of Rumtek oppose Trinley Thaye Dorje and the legal proceedings between the supporters of the two claimants have not reached a final conclusion, Trinley Thaye Dorje's headquarters remain in Kalimpong for the time being.[8]

After the death of the 16th Karmapa in 1981, the four most senior Karma Kagyu lamas held responsibilities in his absence: the Shamar Rinpoche, the Tai Situ Rinpoche, the Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and the Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche. Differences between them led to a divide being formed, along with claims that two different individuals are the sole, genuine reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa.[9] Trinley Thaye Dorje and Ogyen Trinley Dorje have each undergone separate processes of recognition, carried out by different people, at different times, in addition to separate enthronement ceremonies. Both lay claim to the title of the 17th Karmapa.[10][11]

Ogyen Trinley Dorje was recognized by Situ Rinpoche and Gyaltsab Rinpoche. On June 30, 1992, following meetings with senior Karma Kagyu leaders, the 14th Dalai Lama issued an official letter with his seal of confirmation.[12][13] Ogyen Trinley Dorje's enthronement ceremony took place at Tsurphu Monastery on September 27, 1992.[14][15] Two years later, Trinley Thaye Dorje was recognized by Shamar Rinpoche. His enthronement ceremony took place at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute on March 17, 1994.[16][17] The 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche died in a car crash on April 26, 1992, prior to either recognition or enthronement ceremony.[18]

Two individuals are claimed to be the sole, genuine reincarnation of the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche:

• Chokyi Nyima[19] is recognized by Ogyen Trinley Dorje
• Migyur Drakpa Sengge[20] is recognized by Trinley Thaye Dorje.

On 29 March 2017 Karmapa officially announced his marriage with Ms. Rinchen Yangzom,[21] showing in this manner example of lay Buddhist practitioner like many other high teachers, including Thaye Dorje's predecessors, Chöying Dorje, 10th Karmapa and Khakyab Dorje, 15th Karmapa Lama. The couple gave birth to a son on 11 August 2018 in France near the Karmapa's main European seat.[22]