Mikyö Dorje

Mikyö Dorje, born in 1507 in Satam, Kham, was the eighth Karmapa, the spiritual leader of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Renowned for his intellectual and artistic contributions, he authored numerous Buddhist texts on various subjects including Madhyamaka, Abhidharma, Tantra, and Mahamudra. He also penned poetry and works on linguistics. Mikyö Dorje is credited with introducing a four-session guru yoga practice, which remains a foundational teaching in Karma Kagyu. Beyond his scholarly pursuits, he was a talented painter and metal craftsman, creating notable thangkas and statues that significantly influenced the art of his time. He identified and recognized Konchog Yenlag as the fifth Shamarpa, emphasizing the inseparable nature of the Karmapa and Shamarpa lineages. His life and teachings have left a lasting legacy in Tibetan Buddhism.