Spiritual Guide

"The tradition to build Stupas originated in the times of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, more than 2500 years ago. A Stupa represents the Enlightenment, the nature of a totally awakened mind. In ancient Buddhist texts it is said that the construction of a Stupa is of enormous benefit for all sentient beings."

- H.H. 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje

H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje is the spiritual guide and advisor of the Asociación Cultural Karma Kagyu de Benalmádena.

The 1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa, born in 1110, prophesied by the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, started the tradition of consciously reincarnated lama in Tibet - tulkus. His subsequent highly realized reincarnations have traditionally been the heads of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinlay Thaye Dorje was born in Tibet on May 6th 1983. He was the first son of the 3rd Mipham Rinpoche, a great Nyingma Lama, and Dechen Wangmo, the daughter of a Tibetan noble family descending from the legendary King Gesar of Ling.

In 1994, during a ceremony conducted in New Delhi, He was officially recognized as the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa by Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche. H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa was given the name of Trinlay (meaning Buddha's activity) Thaye (limitless) Dorje (unchanging). Presently there are over 800 Buddhist centres and monasteries around the world under His spiritual guidance.

H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa displays the unceasing activity of his predecessors, the Karmapas, for the benefit of all beings.