The 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche

After Karmapa, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche is the highest teacher in the Karma Kagyu lineage. The reincarnations of the Shamarpas go back to the 13th century. The current 14th Shamarpa Mipham Chökyi Lodrö was born in Derge, Tibet, in 1952. He was educated by the  16th Gyalwa Karmapa who transmitted to him the complete teachings of the Kagyu tradition.

Since the 16th Karmapa’s death in 1981, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche has devoted his efforts to the many projects initiated by the late 16th Karmapa. He has completed the reprinting of the "Tengyur" a body of two hundred and fourteen volumes in which prominent Indian and Tibetan masters elucidate the teachings given by the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. Shamar Rinpoche also supports and offers guidance to Rumtek Monastery, the seat of H. H. the sixteenth Karmapa. He co-founded and brought into being the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute, New Delhi, India. The Institute currently offers courses in Buddhist studies for both monastic and lay students.

Shamar Rinpoche frequently travels abroad where he teaches at the many Kagyü centers world-wide. He also established an institute for higher Buddhist studies and a retreat center in Nepal, as well as a number of Buddhist centers world-wide.

Read more about the history of the Shamarpas  here.