Khakyab Dorje, 15th Karmapa Lama

Khakhyap Dorjé, 15th Karmapa Lama (Tibetan: མཁའ་ཁྱབ་རྡོ་རྗེ; 1871–1922 or 1870–1921) was born in Sheikor village in Tsang, Tibet. (Martin 2003, p. 289) Recognised and enthroned by Migyur Wanggyel, 9th Drukchen Lama, Khakhyap Dorjé was given the Kagyu teachings by Jamgon Kongtrul. Trashi Özer and other masters completed his education. He was enthroned as the 15th Karmapa at Tsurphu Monastery when he was six years old. (Naher 2004, p. 221) He went on to teach and give empowerments throughout Tibet and preserved many rare texts by having them reprinted.

In 1898 he travelled to Bhutan, bestowing many transmissions. On his return to Tibet, he took several consorts. (Naher 2004, p. 222) Unlike previous Karmapas, Khakyab Dorje married and his wife, Dāki Wangmo, bore three sons, one of whom, Khyentsé Özer, was recognised as the Second Jamgon Kongtrul (Martin 2003, p. 290) and another, Jamyang Rinpoché, an unrecognised Shamarpa (d. circa 1947).

Among his closest students were the 11th Tai Situpa, Karma Jamyang Khyentsé Özer, and the First Beru Khyentse.

A few years before he passed into parinirvana at the age of fifty-one, Khakhyap Dorjé entrusted a letter containing a prediction regarding his rebirth to an attendant. (Martin 2003, p. 290)