6th Karmapa, Thongwa Dönden

The 6th Karmapa, Thongwa Dönden (1416–1453)

The 6th Karmapa, Thongwa Dönden (1416–1453) or Tongwa Donden (Wylie: kar ma pa 06 mthong ba don ldan), was the sixth Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. Thongwa Dönden was born in Ngomto Shakyam near Karma Gon in Kham. He was recognized during his first visit at the Karma Gon Monastery and joined the monastery to be taught by the 3rd Sharmapa.

Up to then, the Kagyu lineage had mainly given emphasis on meditation and considered rituals and prayers of lesser importance and therefore it had been neglected. In response, the 6th Karmapa then composed many prayers and rituals. He was also very active with the printing and copying of Buddhist texts and the founding of a Buddhist university.

The 6th Karmapa strengthened the lineage by having the Shangpa and Shijay lineage join their lineage and making sure that the different teachings were compatible with each other.[1][2][3]

References

1. "The Sixth Karmapa, Tongwa Donden". The Treasury of Lives: Biographies of Himalayan Religious Masters. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
2. "Thongwa Dönden - Sixth Karmapa". Drupon Rinpoche. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
3. "The Sixth Karmapa Thongwa Donden". Karma Triyana Dharmachakra. Retrieved 2013-08-11.

Further reading

• Thinley, Karma (2008). The History of Sixteen Karmapas of Tibet. USA: Prajna Press. p. 150. ISBN 1-57062-644-8.

• Lama Kunsang, Lama Pemo, Marie Aubèle (2012). History of the Karmapas: The Odyssey of the Tibetan Masters with the Black Crown. Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca, New York. ISBN 1-55939-390-4.

External links

• The Sixth Karmapa, The Karmapa, Official Website of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

Preceded by Deshin Shekpa

Reincarnation of the Karmapa

Succeeded by Chödrak Gyatso