The Seventh Karmapa Chodrag Gyamtso incarnated in Kyilha, northern Tibet.  Upon his birth, Karmapa declared, “Ah! (which represents the absolute view of reality)  Amala (mother), Ah hung!  The entire world is emptiness.”  One of the 6th Karmapa’s disciples, Cho Paljor of Nyewo Ngarteng Monastery, dreamt that the Karmapa was born in the Kyilha region.

Cho Paljor immediately found the infant who was born a week ago, precisely as he envisioned. Upon presenting Chodrag Gyamtso with the possessions of Karmapa Tongwa Donden, he correctly declared which items belonged to him.  At two months old, the 7th Karmapa blessed ten thousand people in  Arik Thang, where the previous Karmapa once taught. 

At nine months old, Gyaltsab Rinpoche recognized Chodrag Gyamtso and later enthroned him as the 7th Karmapa.  Gyaltsab Rinpoche transmitted the Kagyu lineage to him at four years old. 

At five years old, the Karmapa was able to end a war that was erupting in the southern Tibetan and Bhutanese region.  He often had visions of Guru Rinpoche and, during times of war, acted to bring people to secret caves and valleys for protection.  At eight, the Karmapa received further instructions from Bengar Jampal Zangpo and Gyaltsab Rinpoche. 

His Holiness traveled widely for about half of his life. He composed numerous commentaries, constructed bridges, founded the monastic college at Tsurphu, restored the main statue created by Karma Pakshi and taught many students. 

He was especially renowned for teaching about Chenrezi, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and the Mani Mantra. His disciples were taught to strictly follow his instructions on meditation and discipline. 

For the other half of his life, the Karmapa was mainly in retreat.  He also sent gold and other items to aid in gilding the Buddha statue in Bodh Gaya, India.  The 7th Karmapa’s successor was Drubchen Tashi Paljor, the 1st Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche. 

The 1st Sangye Nyenpa Tashi Paljor incarnated in the Den Lhakang Drolma region of eastern Tibet.  He was devoted to the Karmapa, and at five years old was named by him. 

Sangye Nyenpa Tashi Paljor was ordained by Benzar Jampal Zangpo. He studied the sutras until he was almost an adult with Jampal Zangpo and Geshe Paljor Dondrub.   He then went back to the 7th Gyalwa Karmapa and for seven years received the transmission.  For twenty years Sangye Nyenpa mediated alone in the mountains and attained realization, perfectly imitating the example of Milarepa. 

According to history it is said that Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, whose source of emanation is the Buddha Maitreya, took many births as different Mahasiddhas of India, such as Yeshe Nyingpo and Pandita Mirtijana, and worked for the benefit of the Buddha Dharma and sentient beings.

At the Karmapa’s request, Sangye Nyenpa mediated at Khampo Nenang Monastery for three years, at Tsurphu Monastery for two years, at Palpung Monastery for two years and at Thangla for one year.  Rinpoche did not eat any food during all those years in retreat, but merely relied upon the energy and extraordinary accomplishments attained from meditation practice.

The lamas and dakinis prophesied that Sangye Nyenpa should establish a great dharma center in Denyul.  At that time he was staying on the fourth floor of a house during an earthquake.  Although the whole house was destroyed, he came out without any injury.

Consequently, Sangye Nyenpa moved to another place and established the Changchub Chökhor Ling Monastery in Denkhok. 

During a vision of Mahakala, the 8th Karmapa Mikyo Dorje was instructed to take Sangye Nyenpa as his root lama. From then onwards, Nyenpa Rinpoche offered the 8th Karmapa complete empowerment and profound instructions. Having performed great Dharma activities for the benefit of all sentient beings and Buddha Dharma, he passed away into nirvana at the age of sixty-five.

The Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoches have remained until today as an important master of the Kagyu tradition and one of its main holders. Their successive incarnations produced outstanding accomplishments.