The 17th Karmapa was named according to the command of Guru Padmasambhava in his centuries-old treasure terma: The Glorious All-Pervading Spontaneously-Manifested One of Oddiyana, Shoot of the Victorious Ones, Vajra of Enlightened Activity to Teach Beings, Accomplished One, Victorious inall Directions.

His named can be shortened to Urgyen Trinley Dorje, which reflects his essence is inseparable from Guru Rinpoche, the one from Urgyen (or Oddiyana as in Sanskrit). The 17th Karmapa's activity is also the manifestation of the the Bodhisattva of Compassion (Avalokitesvara), the Yidam Chakrasamvara and the Buddha Simha (who will attain enlightenment as the 6th Buddha of this eon).

The People's Republic of China also approved of the Karmapa and allowed his activity to take place. Soon Tai Situ Rinpoche and Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche went to Tibet in July. The hair cutting ceremony was performed in front of the Jowo image of Shakyamuni Buddha in the Jokhang Temple on August 2, 1992. Gifts from the Dalai Lama were presented to the 17th Karmapa, which included the Dalai Lama's personal rosary beads. His Holiness’ hair was cut to symbolize his renunciation from samsara. This is when the Karmapa received his Genyen vows.

The enthronement for the 17th Karmapa occurred on September 27, 1992. It was an event that brought great joy to the Tibetan community. For the first time an authentic tulku was allowed in Tibet since the Communist oppression and numerous Lamas returned for the first time to witness. It was more than just the enthronement, it was a hope for a better future for Tibet. The majority of the thousands present were Tibetan but representatives from all the Kagyu organizations, the different lineages, and the Bon tradition, were present. Individuals came from the different Tibetan regions adorned with their respective attire, along with the cultural costumes and gifts from the Asians, Africans and Westerners present.

The first part of the ceremony was when the Minister for Religious Affairs of China granted his approval and wishes for the Karmapa, but the Minister from Beijing and his party refused to sit lower than His Holiness.

The second part of the ceremony was the traditional enthronement . The recognition from the Dalai Lama and seal of the Oracle Nechung were presented to His Holiness. During the prayers that followed Tai Situ Rinpoche presented the eight auspicious symbols, the eight auspicious substances and the seven possessions of a universal monarch to His Holiness.

Religious teachings were given by lamas such as the highest Nangchen Drukpa teacher Adi Rinpoche, the Palpung Khenpo Zhonu Dawa, and Khenpo Donyo Lodro from Kalu Rinpoche’s monastery. His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche explained the Five Conditions of the Karmapa’s manifestation which are the magnificence of His teacher, the magnificence of His residence, the magnificence of the time of His enthronement, the magnificence of His entourage and the magnificence of His teachings. Gyaltsap Rinpoche, together with other high lamas such as Thrangu Rinpoche, offered a complete manadala offering to His Holiness.

Chamgon Tai Situpa then offered a statue (the body representation of a Buddha), a sutra (the speech representation of a Buddha) and a stupa (the mind representation of a Buddha). Between that day and the next, thousands lined up to be blessed by Karmapa.

On Sept 29, His Holiness began his buddha activity by giving the empowerment of the Red Chenrezi at Tsurphu to a crowd of over ten thousand disciples. A circle of birds cirlced clockwise above the temple and a rainbow stretched across the sky.