Tenth Karmapa Choying Dorje

Born: 1604

Death: 1674

Biography:

Chöying Dorje was the tenth Karmapa or head of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born on April 26th, 1604 in Khaytri Tang village, province of Golok, Amdo region of Tibet. At the age of eight, he was recognized by Shamar Mipam Chökyi Wangchuk, the sixth Shamarpa and received the complete Kagyu transmissions. During his life, Tibet faced inner instability as a pro-Kagyu king suppressed - against the will of the Karmapa - the Gelug school and forbade the search for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The regent of the Gelug asked Güshi Khan, the warrior king of the Khoshut Mongols, for help. The Mongolian army attacked Shigatse and forced many monasteries to convert to the Gelug school. Chöying Dorje had to flee Tibet and he appointed Goshir Gyaltsab as the temporary regent. He was a great artist in both painting and sculpture.