"Karmapa" means in Sanskrit "who accomplishes the activity of the Buddhas". The Gyalwa Karmapa is therefore a great Bodhisattva, a fully enlightened being who is continuously acting for the benefit of all sentient beings without any exception. He is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of the Kagyupa school, one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He is as well the holder of the Black Hat and is recognized as emanation of Avalokiteshvara (Chenresi), the Buddha of infinite love and compassion. The origin goes back to Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa who was the main disciple of Gampopa, the founding father of the Kagyupa school and author of the famous text "The Precious Ornament of Liberation" (Dakpo Thargyen). Before his death, Dusum Khyenpa predicted that he would take rebirth again in Tibet.

The second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi, was therefore considered as the first reincarnation of a great lama or Tulku in Tibetan.

Origin of the Black Hat:

Dusum Khyenpa achieved during his life such a spiritual realisation that Dakinis offered him as a sign of homage a Vajra hat embroided with hundred thousand strands of their hair. It is said that the Karmapa is always wearing this hat of the Dakinis, but it is invisible to the eyes of ordinary sentient beings. It was at the time of the fifth Karmapa, Dechin Shegpa, that the emperor of China, Tai Ming Chen, decided to make a physical hat that would be visible for ordinary beings. Since that time, the succeeding incarnations of the Karmapa have been wearing this same hat, called the black hat. It is said that by only seeing it one will be liberated in one lifetime. The present 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Thaye Dorje, was born in Tibet in 1983. He is the son of Mipham Rinpoche, a renown master of the Nyingmapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He was officially recognized by the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, one of the four Kagyupa regents. His Eminence Shamar Rinpoche gave to Gyalwa Karmapa all the transmissions of teachings and initiations of the Karma Kagyu lineage so that he can assure the continuity and spread the teaching of the Buddha for the benefit of all beings.

The coming of Karmapa has been predicted by Buddha Shakyamuni.
In the "Lankavatara Sutra" the Buddha says :

"In the land of the North one will appear who makes the goodness grow stronger, the supreme spiritual friend. One who holds the greatest power of enlightenment, who manifests the greatest miraculous powers, who has the greatest ascetism, to whom many will listen. He will bear the name "knower of the three times" or the holder of the activity of all the Buddhas: Karmapa. Whoever sees his face, even for only one time, will be liberated from his veils because he is predicted as the one whose mere sight is liberating."

The lama without any frontier

Known for his profound calmness and remarkable clear-mindedness, Jigme Rinpoche is one of these rare and exceptional beings who, with serenity and efficiency at the same time, displays an altruistic activity for the benefit of all beings. In a world of doubt, uncertainty and conflicts, he shows in all simplicity the living presence and heritage of a thousand-year-old wisdom, "the inner science of the mind". His profound aspiration is to share and to make accessible this science in order to bring peace and harmony in the heart and the daily life of everybody.

Jigme Rinpoche is the head of the of the monastic congregation Karme Dharma Chakra. He is the spiritual director of the European seat (located in Dordogne, France) of the Tibetan Karma Kagyu tradition as well as of the affiliated centres and associations. He is the president of honour of the Association "Tibet Save & Care" which develops educational actions for the young Tibetans in exile. He participates in activities of humanitarian associations for destitute children in the Himalayas.

At the same time, Jigme Rinpoche is putting effort in accomplishing important works for the relationship of the Orient and the Occident, like the Institute Dhagpo Kagyu Ling in Dordogne and its library. It will be the most important library in Europe, dedicated to old and sacred Buddhist texts and works.

Jigme Rinpoche gives in the whole world teachings and conferences. He develops as well seminaries for managers and company directors. He is author of many books:

Etre serein et efficace au travail
Conseils d'un coach et d'un lama
Patrick Barrau et Lama Jigmé Rinpoché

Dans ce dialogue, s'appuyant sur des cas concrets, Patrick Barrau et Jigmé Rinpoché abordent les différents problèmes que l'on peut rencontrer dans la vie professionnelle et expliquent comment les surmonter : concilier vie professionnelle et vie de famille, gérer son temps et distinguer les priorités, faire de plus en moins de temps, décider, diriger une équipe, faire accepter des changements nécessaires, savoir dire non lorsqu'on demande toujours plus, maîtriser son stress, ne pas se laisser envahier par les émotions, s'écouter, se faire entendre...

Les mots clés du bouddhisme
Lama Jigmé Rinpoché

Le bouddhisme vous intrigue, peut-être même vous attire, mais vous ne savez pas au juste de quoi il s'agit ? Alors commencez par ce livre qui vous en donnera les conceptions de base, vous familiarisera avec ses principaux vocables et, surtout, vous évitera les fausses interprétations. Le bouddhisme est-il une religion ou une philosophie ? Qui sont les bodhisattvas, les lamas, les tulkous ? Qu'est-ce qu'un mantra : une prière, une formule magique, ou rien de tout cela ? Et qu'entend-on réellement par karma, ce mot utilisé à tort et à travers ? etc...

Le moine et le Lama
Dom Robert Le Gall - Lama Jigmé Rinpoché
Entretiens avec Frédéric Lenoir

Organisé par le sociologue et historien des religions Frédéric Lenoir, ce dialogue inédit entre un moine bénédictin et un lama tibétain permet de beaucoup mieux connaître, en des termes accessibles à des non-initiés, la profondeur spirituelle du catholicisme et du bouddhisme tibétain.

Vivre libre, Conseils aux adolescents
Lama Jigmé Rinpoché

Ce livre ne donne pas de recettes, il partage des conseils qui permettent d´apprendre à faire des choix en toute liberté. Vivre libre signifie vivre différemment notre quotidien : la famille, les amis, les études, la déprime et la joie.

Vivre, mourir et vivre
Lama Jigmé Rinpoché

La préparation à la mort est aussi importante pour celui qui meurt que pour celui qui l´accompagne et lui offre sincèrement son soutien. Cette méthode de préparation à la mort s'apparente à une préparation permanente à la vie, au calme et à la clarté de l'esprit.

La méditation dans l'action
Lama Jigmé Rinpoché

Issus de la tradition du bouddhisme tibétain, ces enseignements sur la méditation ont été volontairement traduits dans un style direct et rapide, accessible à tous.