Simhanada--- Prediction and Indications

PREDICTIONS AND INDICATIONS

The Gyalwa Karmapas always perform the activity of the buddhas to benefit sentient beings. The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa was explicitly mentioned in the termas and prophecies. The Terton Chogyur Dechen Lingpa lived during the lifetime of the 14h Karmapa, in the Nineteenth Century. The Terton foretold the events surrounding the lifetimes of the Fifteenth to the Twenty-first Karmapas. The Terton spoke the following prophecy about the Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapas: On the left, in a rock cave in a snow mountain, is the Fifteenth Karmapa, together with his attendant and disciples, exerting themselves in sacred tantric yoga practices. By the virtue of his realization, born through practicing the Six Yogas of Naropa, his activity will extend throughout the Land of Snows. On the right, in a sacred temple with a golden pinnacle and turquoise pagoda roof, the Sixteenth Karmapa discusses the Dharma with his tutor. On the upper floor is the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni. These images signify that he will attain universal renown as the indisputable lord of the doctrine of the sutras and tantras Nearby, at the foot of a lush tree on a rock mountain, is the Seventeenth incarnation together with Khentin Tai Situpa. This image symbolizes that, through the unity of their minds, the tree of the Buddha's doctrine will flourish, laden with the ripe fruit which is the essence of the teachings of the lineage of Gampopa.
Chogyur Lingpa’s prediction, accurate by all measures, clearly predicted that the 15th Karmapa would be a tantric yoga practitioner. The 15th Karmapa Khachab Dorje had two consorts, and like all the Karmapas, was an exceptionally realized being. The 16th Karmapa became known throughout the world. He was the first supreme holiness to establish a strong following in the West and cleared the way for the dharma to grow in the West. He was respected by all people and no one denied the 16th Karmapa's spiritual authority as supreme. His Holiness the 16th Karmapa Rigpe Dorje said in "A Song," at age seventeen in 1941: "And in particular, you, Tai Situ, the Lord and Protector Maitreya, Who remains above the crown of our head, May your activities, like the sun and moon set in space, Be continuous, stable, and without hindrance. I pray that we meet again and again." In early January of 1981, His Holiness the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje gave a protection pouch to Tai Situ Rinpoche. Lamas often give their students many sacred vessels and blessed items. In such cases, Tai Situpa assumed it to be relics and therefore the pouch was not opened. His Holiness told the 12th Tai Situpa that the pouch will someday "confer great benefit."
	*The thangka painting made under the command of the Terton in the 19th Century, which illustrated the visions the Terton had concerning the 15th-21st Karmapas*
The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa died in Zion, Illinois in November of 1981. Before his passing, His Holiness mentioned precisely that he was going to return to Tibet. During the Karmapa’s cremation, when Tai Situ Rinpoche made offerings into the flames, the heart of the 16th Karmapa fell out. Immediately, it was passed through the crowd and advice was asked from Kalu Rinpoche. The sacred relic was enshrined at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India. After Karmapa’s cremation, a small footprint in the direction of Tibet was noticed by Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche.

The thangka (sacred painting) drawn under the direction of the Teron Chogyur Lingpa by the Karma Khenchen, proved to be an accurate rendition of the future incarnations of the lineage.

At the left side of the screen is the portion of the thangka from the Nineteenth Century which illustrates the 17th Karmapa, together with Tai Situ Rinpoche. Above the painting are photos of the actual 17th Gyalwa Karmapa and 12th Tai Situpa.

At the right side of the screen is the portion of the thangka which illustrates the 16th Karmapa. Above this thangka section is a picture of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa during his life.

It soon became indisputable that the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa indeed was to be brought up under the guidance of the great protector loving-kindness, the Chamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche.