NEW DELHI, October 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje, leader of the oldest reincarnate lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, announces today that he will identify the next incarnation of his fellow lineage holder, Shamar Rinpoche ('Shamarpa').

The Shamarpa and the Karmapa are spiritually inseparable, and are fellow holders of the 900 year old Karma Kagyu lineage, a tradition that precedes the Dalai Lama's lineage by over 200 years.

The 14th Shamarpa, Mipham Chokyi Lodro, passed away aged 61 on 11th June this year, sparking condolence messages from heads of state, numerous dignitaries, and tens of thousands of devotees around the world.

Today, on what would have been the Shamarpa's 62nd birthday, Karmapa Thaye Dorje announces that, in accordance with tradition, he has accepted requests from Jigme Rinpoche, Shamarpa's brother, as well as 700 Karma Kagyu Buddhist centres, monasteries and institutes around the world, to find the next rebirth. All previous Shamarpas have been confirmed in accordance with the principle of reciprocal recognition. The 14th Shamarpa, who was enthroned by the 16th Karmapa in 1963, enthroned the 17th Karmapa, Thaye Dorje, in 1994.

His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje says,

'It is my solemn duty and responsibility alone to find the authentic incarnation of His Holiness Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche.' 

As part of his spiritual preparation to find the next Shamarpa, His Holiness will spend up to six months on retreat, each year for the next three years. His Holiness will also consult other great living masters; engage in intense dharma (Buddhist) activities, including meditations and recitations. Historically, Karmapas and Shamarpas have also left each other clues, in the form of letters or oral instructions, about where the next incarnation will be found.

His Holiness says the positive aspirations of Buddhists and others around the world will help in the recognition process, and a 'Prayer for the Swift Rebirth of Shamar Rinpoche' has been posted on http://www.karmapa.org for students to recite.

His Holiness will lead recitations of the prayer during all sessions at the Kagyu Monlam pilgrimage in Bodhgaya, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment, from 15th-21st December 2014.

Contact 

Simon Cohen, +44(0)751-538-7314, simon@mrsimoncohen.com

Notes 

• High res photo of His Holiness available here
• Video address by His Holiness on the passing of Shamar Rinpoche
• Condolence messages, information on Shamar Rinpoche

SOURCE Office of His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje