Rangjung Dorje

Rangjung Dorje (1284–1339) was the third Karmapa Lama, the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, and an important figure in Tibetan Buddhist history.

Background

Born in the Tsang region of Tibet, Rangjung Dorje was recognized as the reincarnation of the second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi, establishing the system of tulku (incarnate lama) recognition in the Kagyu lineage. He received extensive training in the Kagyu tantric and philosophical traditions.

Spiritual Contribution

Rangjung Dorje was a great meditation master and scholar who composed important works on Mahamudra practice and Buddhist philosophy. He was particularly known for his teachings on the nature of mind and the practice of meditation. He also established the system of recognizing reincarnate lamas, which became influential across all Tibetan Buddhist schools.

Legacy and Impact

Rangjung Dorje’s establishment of the tulku system had a profound impact on Tibetan Buddhist institutional life. This system of recognizing reincarnate teachers became a defining feature of Tibetan Buddhism and influenced the governance of monasteries and religious communities across Tibet.

Verification Notes

• Rangjung Dorje’s dates and the establishment of the tulku system are documented in Kagyu historical sources.
• His Mahamudra teachings are preserved and practiced in the Karma Kagyu lineage.