The Extraordinary Journey of the First Karmapa
The First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, was the head of the Karma Kagyu school. He remains a pivotal figure in the history of Tibetan Buddhism as the founder of the Karma Kagyu lineage. The lineage is one of the largest ones under the Kagyu school, a major school in Vajrayana.
Known for his profound meditation practices and unwavering commitment to enlightenment, he is regarded as a remarkable spiritual figure. His teachings emphasizes on the importance of direct experience and the transmission of mind-to-mind. As the first Karmapa, his legacy continues today as the title has been passed down through reincarnations since his demise.
The title 'Karmapa' means 'the one who acts like a Buddha,' indicating their status as a living representation of the Buddha's teachings and actions.
First Karmapa Origin Story
The first Karmapa was born in 1110 in Tsang, Tibet as Gephel. He hailed from a family of devout Buddhism practitioners. It is believed that his birth was foretold by a prophecy made by a great master of the time.
The prophecy indicated that a reincarnated Bodhisattva would be born and he would be identified by a series of extraordinary events during the birth. When Gephel was born, a number of miraculous occurrences took place including;
- A rainbow: This was seen as a sign of his divine nature.
- A lotus flower bloomed in the room where he was born: This is a symbol of enlightenment in Buddhist tradition.
- A celestial light shone from his body. This was interpreted as a sign of his spiritual power.
Such miraculous events convinced the villagers that the newborn child was indeed the reincarnated Bodhisattva foretold in the prophecy. As Gephel grew older, he displayed extraordinary wisdom and spiritual abilities, confirming his divine status.
As a young boy, he showcased an insatiable thirst for knowledge, delving deep into the scriptures and the intricacies of Buddhist philosophy. Meanwhile, his innate wisdom and compassion were evident. Such was the scholarly radiance of the divine being.
Gephel grew up to be an abled Buddhism practitioner. In between, he was named Düsum Khyenpa, which means "Knower of the Three Times." The transformation of a young Gephel to the future founder of the highly revered Karma Kagyu lineage is an immaculate and spiritual quest.
The young man first studied with his father and later continued his education with other Buddhist teachers of the region. Some of his well-known teachers were Chapa Chokyi Senge and Patsab Lotsawa Nyima Drakpa.
Karmapa Under the Tutelage of Gampopa
Gephel moved to central Tibet during his youth and trained under the highly venerated Guru Gampopa. He was thirty at that time. Given Gampopa's high esteem as the notable student and heart son of another yogi, Milarepa, Düsum Khyenpa exceled in Buddhist teachings, tantra, sutras, and meditation. Such deep and profound learning helped Khyenpa shape the Karma Kagyu lineage in future. It is also believed that he had unified the teachings he received in his lifetime; be it from Rechungpa and other students of Milarepa. His ability to elucidate complex concepts with clarity and simplicity earned him widespread respect and admiration.
One of the pivotal moment of his training under Gampopa is the passing down of the "Six Yogas of Naropa."
The Six Yogas of Naropa are a set of advanced meditation practices that were taught by the Indian Buddhist master Naropa. They are considered to be a powerful tool for achieving spiritual liberation. The First Karmapa's mastery of such hight practices was a significant factor in his reputation as a spiritual master and the founder of the Karma Kagyu school.
The Six Yogas are:
- Dream Yoga: It involves working with dreams to gain insights into the nature of consciousness and reality.
- Clear Light Yoga: This practice involves cultivating a state of deep meditation and awareness during which one can experience the true nature of mind.
- Inner Heat Yoga: It involves generating heat within the body to purify the mind and body.
- Tummo Yoga: This practice involves cultivating a state of inner heat to achieve spiritual transformation.
- Symbol Yoga: This practice involves working with symbolic visualizations to gain insights into the nature of reality.
- Illusion Yoga: Here, it involves understanding the illusory nature of the world and achieving liberation from its limitations.
The Six Yogas are considered to be a challenging and demanding set of practices, but they are also believed to be highly effective for achieving spiritual enlightenment.
The Establishment of the Karma Kagyu Lineage
Düsum Khyenpa founded the Karma Kagyu School after he received the Kagyu lineage transmission from his teacher Gampopa. Hence, he became the first Gyalwa Karmapa. His spiritual attainments and the prophecies associated with him solidified his position as the spiritual master. In addition to his immaculate religious teachings, the founder also established the Tsurphu Monastery in central Tibet. The monastery now serves as the seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage and a center of Buddhist learning and practice.
Key Teachings and Practices:
- Mahamudra and Anuyoga: The Karma Kagyu lineage emphasizes the Mahamudra and Anuyoga teachings, which focus on the direct path to enlightenment through meditation and the recognition of the true nature of mind.
- Six Yogas of Naropa: The continuous practice of this form of yoga remains an important part of the school to attain inner peace and liberation.
- Emphasis on Reincarnation: This lineage places great importance on the concept of reincarnation. The belief that each leader is the reincarnation of his predecessor has been a central tenet of the lineage since its founding.
The first Karmapa's teachings were not confined to a traditional academic pursuit but were grounded in practical wisdom, emphasizing the cultivation of yoga, meditation, compassion and wisdom as the path to liberation.
The Prophecy of Karmapa's Reincarnation
Düsum Khyenpa passed away in 1193 at the age of eighty-four. Before his demise, he prophesied his own rebirth by predicting the appearance of the second Karmapa. This concept laid the foundation for the uninterrupted continuity of the Karma Kagyu lineage, ensuring the preservation of the Buddha's teachings for generations to come.
Today, a total of 17 Karmapas have continuously preserved the teachings of the their founder master. Before gaining parinirvana, Dusum Khyenpa contributed significantly by establishing a monastery at Kampo Nénang in 1164 and the Panphuk Monastery in Lithang, East Tibet in 1169.
Karmapa Legacy and Impact
First Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa left behind a vibrant and flourishing tradition. He was reborn as the Second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi, who continued his work and further solidified the lineage's influence in Vajrayana Buddhism. Since then, a long line of highly realized masters have each contributed to the preservation and transmission of the Karma Kagyu teachings. Today, the Karmapas are revered not only for their spiritual accomplishments but also for their role as guides and protectors of the Dharma. They continue to uphold this legacy, adapting the teachings to the modern world while staying true to the profound spiritual insights of his predecessors.
Hence, Khyenpa's life and teachings have had a lasting impact as the continuous stream of spiritual masters have preserved and enriched the Kagyu tradition. He and his reincarnations are known for their deep commitment to meditation, compassionate activity, and the transmission of the Mahamudra teachings. His life was a testament to the transformative power of the Dharma, and his teachings continue to inspire practitioners around the world. His legacy is not only preserved in the teachings and practices of the Karma Kagyu lineage but also in the hearts of countless practitioners who, through his example, are guided on the path to awakening.
