Editing Karmapa (section)

==Recognition of the Karmapa==

The Karmapa is a long line of consciously reborn lamas, and the second Karmapa, [[Karma Pakshi, 2nd Karmapa Lama|Karma Pakshi]] (1204–1283), is the first recognized [[tulku]] ({{bo|w=sprul sku}}) in [[Tibetan Buddhism]] who predicted the circumstances of his rebirth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collab.itc.virginia.edu/wiki/renaissanceold/Karmapa.html |title=Karmapa Concept Encyclopedia Analysis |publisher=Collab.itc.virginia.edu |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title="The Karmapa Prophecies"|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|first=Sylvia|last=Wong|year=2010|page=2|isbn=978-81-208-3480-4 |quote=The first master to reincarnate continuously, life after life, while keeping the same identity, was the 1st Karmpa Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193). Before he died, the 1st Karmapa left brief oral instructions with three separate disciples concerning his next reincarnation. After his death, this first ever tulku declared himself to be the reincarnation of Dusum Khyenpa. The circumstances of his arrival corresponded to the oral instructions previously given. In addition, the 1st Karmapa's teacher Pomdrakpa saw him in a vision, and subsequently confirmed that Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa had indeed returned as Karma Pakshi, the 2nd Karmapa (1204-1283).}}</ref>

A Karmapa's identity is confirmed through a combination realized [[lama|lineage teachers]] supernatural insight, prediction letters left by the previous Karmapa, and the young child's own self-proclamation and ability to identify objects and people known to its previous incarnation.<ref>{{cite book |title=The History of the Sixteen Karmapas of Tibet |first=Karma |last=Thinley |publisher=Prajna Press |author-link=Karma Thinley Rinpoche |year=1980 |isbn=1-57062-644-8 |pages=44,81,89,95,109,110,113,115,119,121,125,129}}</ref><ref>{{cite letter |first=Shamar|last=Rinpoche|recipient=Robert Thurman|subject=Karmapa Controversy|language=en|date=6 June 2006|url=http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Letter_to_Robert_A._F._Thurman_by_Shamar_Rinpoche|access-date=29 July 2020|author-link=Mipham Chokyi Lodro|quote=Because when you recognize the reincarnation of a Lama, the past Lama's spirit had to come from Nirvana or the Bardo to a new human form. At that point, the appropriate spiritual teachers recognize it. And when one is such a spiritual leader, that Lama is recognized either by seeing it directly from one's supernatural mind, or via the prediction of one's personal yidams (white or green Tara, for example, or Dharma protectors). 
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Miraculous 16th Karmapa: Incredible Encounters with the Black Crown Buddha|first=Norma|last=Levin|year=2013|publisher=Shang Shung Publications|page=XX|quote=His great bequest to spiritual history was his ability to recognize his own future reincarnation, thus establishing for the first time an infallible, continuous reincarnation lineage in which he could draw upon his clairvoyance to guide beings in the present. Since then the Karmapa was frequently called upon to identify other reincarnate Lamas. To foretell his own reincarnation he would write a prediction letter before passing away and give it secretly to a trusted disciple to be opened at the right time. This letter would tell the time and place of his birth and the names of his parents, as well as the special natural signs that would occur. The letter is infallible proof that it is the spiritual lineage that reincarnates and not a dynastic blood line.}}</ref>

===Conflicts in recognitions===

The 8th, 10th, and 12th incarnations, as well as the [[Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 16th Karmapa#Controversy and Recognition as Karmapa|widely renowned 16th Karmapa]], each faced conflicts during their recognition,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rinpoche.com/controversy.htm|title=THE KARMAPA CONTROVERSY|first=Thrangu|last=Rinpoche|access-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906095656/http://rinpoche.com/controversy.htm|archive-date=2020-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite letter |first=Shamar|last=Rinpoche|recipient=Robert Thurman|subject=Karmapa Controversy|language=en|date=6 June 2006|url=http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Letter_to_Robert_A._F._Thurman_by_Shamar_Rinpoche|access-date=29 July 2020|author-link=Mipham Chokyi Lodro|quote=Once instance where the Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan government did try to interfere in the process of recognizing the Karmapas was during the time of the recognition of the 16th Karmapa. At that time there was a boy, the son of the finance Minister Lungshawa, whom the 13th Dalai Lama recognized as the 16th Karmapa. Karma Kagyu lamas, on the other hand, recognized a boy from the Athubtsang family of Derge. They rejected the 13th Dalai Lama's candidate, and the 13th Dalai Lama accepted that rejection and acknowledged the Kagyu chosen candidate. That candidate grew up to be H. H. Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.}}</ref> which were ultimately resolved. There is currently a [[Karmapa Controversy|controversy]] over the enthronement of two 17th Karmapas.