The 11th Karmapa Yeshe Dorje incarnated in Meyshok, eastern Tibet.  The Terton Mingyur Dorje proclaimed Yeshe Dorje, “the Lord of gods and men,” to be the Karmapa.  The prediction letter of the 10th Karmapa directly corresponded to this child’s birth.

The 7th Shamarpa then brought Yeshe Dorje to his monastery, Yangpachen, and then to Tsurphu where the Karmapa was enthroned.  The Karmapa was transmitted the Tercho teachings of the Nyingma lineage from Mingyur Dorje and Taksham Nuden Dorje.  Guru Rinpoche himself predicted that Karmapa Yeshe Dorje would receive these transmissions.

The 7th Situ Rinpoche Lekshe Mawe Nyima was discovered as the son of a noble, who studied in a Sakya college.  However, he passed away at a young age before being transmitted the complete lineage.

The Gyalwa Karmapa restored and renovated Tsurphu Monastery, which had been looted by the Mongols.  He was a visionary, and performed numerous miracles.  He could appear in various forms and heal the blind, such as the Abbot of Tingri.  Treho Rinpoche, the regent of the 5th Dalai Lama, came to the 11th Gyalwa Karmapa to receive teachings. Treho Rinpoche became the Karmapa’s student and he encouraged an end to sectarian divisions within Tibet. The Karmapa passed away at twenty-six years old, leaving a letter of prediction.

The 8th Shamarpa Chokyi Dondrub was born in Helampur (the Yolmo section), Nepal. While still very young, Rinpoche described in detail his past incarnations and the monasteries which belonged to Him.  The Nepalese King honored Shamarpa greatly.  One of Rinpoche’s greatest disciples was the 8th Tai Situ Rinpoche.  Shamar Rinpoche traveled to India and Bhutan with the Gyalwa Karmapa. 

Shamarpa transmitted the lineage to the 12th Karmapa. Shamar Rinpoche passed away in China, only two days after the 12th Gyalwa Karmapa Changchub Dorje died from smallpox.