Ogyen Trinley Dorje - Controversy

Controversy

The 14th Shamarpa, who is the second longest recognized tulku (reincarnate Lama) incarnation lineage in the Karma Kagyu tradition and who, in previous incarnations, has held and transmitted the Kagyu lineage between Karmapas, does not recognize Ogyen Trinley Dorje and instead has proclaimed Thaye Dorje (Wylie: Mtha'-yas Rdo-rje), whom he purportedly identified a few years earlier (than the recognition of Orgyen Thrinley Dorje) in a dream, as the true Karmapa. Traditionally, Karmapas leave a letter stating the details of their rebirth (this is an aspect of the special self-recognizing siddhi of the Karmapas) to assist in the recognition of their future incarnation, and thus the Shamarpa's recognition through a dream has come under scrutiny. Ogyen Trinley Dorje is supported by the majority of the Kagyu hierarchy, including two lamas who have played a role in finding previous Karmapas: Khentin Tai Situ Rinpoche and Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche (a fourth such lama, the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul, died early on during the controversy). Orgyen Trinley Dorje has been enthroned at Tsurphu Monastery, and is regarded as the 17th Karmapa by the monks of Rumtek Monastery.

Other high Kagyu lamas who support Ogyen Trinley Dorje include the Ninth Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche; the Ninth Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche; the Seventh Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and his Nalandabodhi organization; the Twelfth Surmang Trungpa Rinpoche; the Seventh Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche; the Third Tenga Rinpoche; the Third Bardor Tulku Rinpoche; the Venerable Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche; the Venerable Bokar Rinpoche; the Venerable Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche (abbot of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra); Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and his organization, Shambhala International; the Venerable Drupon Rinpoche, and Lama Norlha Rinpoche, among others. He is also recognized as Karmapa by the current Dalai Lama and the government of the People's Republic of China.

Also sided with Orgyen Trinley Dorje are tulkus he has identified, such as H.E. the Eleventh Pawo Rinpoche, and those identified by Tai Situ Rinpoche such as the Third Kalu Rinpoche. There are now two recognitions of H.E. the Fourth Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, one sided with each Karmapa.