Joint prayer by Trinley Thaye Dorje and Ogyen Trinley Dorje for the Long Life of Künzig Shamar Rinpoche’s Reincarnation

One year after their first meeting, His Holiness Trinley Thaye Dorje et His Holiness Ogyen Trinley Dorje published a joint prayer in October 2019 for the long life of Künzig Shamarpa’s reincarnation.

No explanation is given, except in the colophon at the prayer’s end affirming that

The prayer underlines the indissociable spiritual connection between the Karmapas and the Shamarpas as emanations of the same mind stream. As stated by the 2nd Karmapa Karma Pakshi (1204–1283), “Future Karmapas will manifest in two forms” These words were later clarified by the 4th Karmapa, Rölpe Dorje (1340–1383) who indicated that the Shamarpa reincarnates as a second manifestation of himself. “Thereafter, the two incarnation lines were always known as the Karmapa Shanagpa and the Karmapa Shamarpa, literally in Tibetan the black-crowned Karmapa and the red-crowned Karmapa. As the two main figures in the Karma Kagyu lineage, the Karmapas and Shamarpas have alternatively recognized each other in their respective position. […] Each incarnation within the line has never failed to prove himself worthy of his illustrious predecessors in erudition and spiritual attainment for the welfare of sentient beings.“ ^[1]

The prayer recognizes this relationship:

It is among the long life prayers recited at the end of every practice in centers affiliated with Dhagpo Kagyu Ling.

Four years later, in December 2023, the two Karmapas published a joint statement regarding the reincarnation of Künzig Shamar Rinpoche in which they retrace this tradition, affirming that:

We see that it is our responsibility to continue to recognise the reincarnations of Kunzig Shamarpa. For the recognition to be unmistaken and undisputed would have tremendous benefit for reuniting the Karma Kagyu.

The two Karmapas affirm that the recognition of Shamar Rinpoche’s reincarnation will be a joint effort, that they will take joint responsibility for his education and that no interference will be accepted from uninvolved parties.

The declaration is also an appeal to all practitioners to preserve the precious practice lineage. 

It is extremely important that all of us in the Practice Lineage of the Karma Kamtsang should have samaya as inseparable as milk mixed with water, and that we come together as a single, cooperative whole. We ask that you all keep this in mind.

The two Karmapas strongly advise their disciples and Dharma students to recite two practices, the Sutra in Three Sections and the Vajrasattva mantra.  During the Clarity and Compassion retreat in December 2023, Lama Jigme Rinpoche gave some explanations about this request, which must be understood on both an individual and collective level.

It is not a matter of viewing things in terms of guilt or with a feeling that something problematic has taken place, but rather of reflecting on our way of life or our situation.” For it is a matter of understanding the mechanism of karma and dependent arising. “We are all connected to each other, as in a network. When an action takes place, it has a result. Through this practice of purification and with the underlying state of mind of bodhicitta, we try to think of or embrace all beings in this world, in this universe, so that things move in a direction that is not one of suffering.

^[1] Karma Trinlay Rinpoche. Audacity and Tradition. Shamar Rinpoche : Portrait of a Master of our Time. Rabsel Editions, 2019.