The Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje incarnated in Dingri Langkor.  Upon birth, he proclaimed himself to be the Gyalwa Karmapa and at three years old produced a spontaneously arisen Black Vajra Crown.  He often told his friends that they were drowning in worldly desires, urging them that only dharma practice was of true use at the time of death.

At five years old, the 3rd Karmapa met Urgyenpa, who bestowed the complete Kagyu and Nyingma transmission to him. Urgyenpa also gave Rangjung Dorje the possessions of Karma Pakshi.  The Gyalwa Karmapa later on traveled to Mt. Everest to study the Kadampa teachings, learning with Kunden Sherab and Nyengre Gendun Bum. 

Rangjung Dorje studied, practiced and then realized the numerous transmissions of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. He recognized that the two were inseparable. 

Rangjung Dorje realized all the transmissions that were in Tibet, becoming the greatest master of his time.  He devised a revised astrology system through a vision of the Kalachakra.  He authored many treatises, the most famous ones being the Profound Inner Meaning and the Aspiration Mahamudra Prayer. 

Later in his life, Gyalwa Karmapa coronated his devoted disciple, Tashing Toghon Temur, the last Emperor of the Yuan dynasty of China.  The Emperor was a predecessor of Tai Situ Rinpoche.  Through Karmapa’s creation of a sacred nectar to prolong longevity, the Emperor became the longest lived of all the Mongol rulers. 

Rangjung Dorje established many monastic centers in Tibet and China, constructed bridges and had innumerable disciples.  On the night of the Karmapa's passing at age fifty-six in China, his form appeared on the face of the moon for all to see.

Gyalwa Karmapa gave the complete transmission of the lineage to Yungtonpa.  While in China, the Karmapa gave the prediction to find his next incarnation to his attendant Rinchen Pal.  Rangjung Dorje indicated to Rinchen Pal that he would incarnate in the Kongpo region and declare himself to be the Karmapa upon birth.

Yungtonpa took birth at Tsongdu Gurmo in Southern Tibet.  At five years old, Yungtonpa met the master Khenchen Sonam Senge, receiving refuge vows, lay-man vows and developing great interest in the dharma.  Under the guidance of Lama Zurchung and Lama Baley, Yungtonpa entered the Ugpa Lung Nyingmapa Monastery at fifteen years old.  Yungtonpa became an expert of sutras and tantras and a scholar at the monastic college of Shalu.  He later on met the 3rd Karmapa, who passed the transmission to Him.  Yungtonpa passed into parnirvana at eighty-two years old.