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Dusum Khenpa  1110 - 1193

Buddha Shakyamuni prophesied in the Bhadrakalpa Sutra that a thousand Buddhas would appear in this fortunate kalpa. Drukpa Senge, the sixth of the thousand Buddhas, would  incarnate as a bodhisattva during this period to propagate the Dharma and help free sentient beings from sufferings.  Drukpa Senge then took the human form as Dusum Khyenpa who was born into a family of accomplished Buddhist practitioners. His father gave him the teachings on Mahakali and through this practice he attained the ability to leave hand and foot prints on rocks. He took ordination from  the  masters of Lord Atisha lineage at age sixteen and continue to developed his bodhicitta in order to benefit all sentient beings.

At the age of thirty, Dusum Khyenpa requested Gampopa for teachings  to attain realization of the true nature of mind. Gampopa gave him the transmission of the Six Yoga of Naropa. After four years of continuous practice, Dusum Khyenpa obtained realization of the true nature of mind and developed immeasureable compassion . When his realization remained stable for six months, Gampopa told him that he had completely severed the bonds of samsara and bestowed upon him the transmissions of the Kagyu lineage. He mastered the Kagyu transmission and continued to work for the benefit of all sentient beings. He established many monasteries including  Tsurphu Monastery which became the principal seat of all the Karmapas to this day.

At the age of eighty four, Dusum Khyenpa left a letter describing the exact conditions of his next rebirth to his foremost disciple, Drogon Rechen. Thus he became the first Tibetan Tulku known to take intentional rebith for the benefit of all sentient beings. After Dusum Khyenpa's body had been cremated, his heart and tongue were recovered intact and many divine symbols appeared on his bones - a sign of his great realization.

Karma Pakshi  1203 - 1283

As described in the prediction letter by Dusum Khyenpa, Karma Pakshi was born in Drilung to a family descended from the Dharma king Trisong Detsen. He learnt to read and write effortlessly as a child. By the age of ten, he mastered many Dharma texts after a single reading.  After ordination at age eleven, the master Pomdrakpa bestowed the transmission of the Kagyu lineage upon him and declared - "A meditator who recognizes his nature of mind is more wonderful than wealth filling the entire country." Through his accomplished practice, he brought powerful gods and spirits to his service.

While at Tsurphu Monastery, Karma Pakshi was invited to China by the Prince, Khublai Khan. He accepted the invitation knowing that many beings would benefit from his travels. Karmapa proceeded towards China helping many beings and restoring monasteries along the way. He finally arrived at Prince Khublai Khan's court after three years and was well received. Later, he bestowed the Bodhisattva Vow upon the emperor, Mongka Khan and his retinue and granted them the transmission of Khorlo Dechog. He travelled extensively throughout China with the emperor giving many teachings and empowerments. Through the power of Karmapa's blessing, the emperor realized the true nature of his mind and won over many followers to the Darma.

Shortly after the Karmapa departed for Tibet, the emperor died. Khublai Khan who became emperor harboured a grudge against the Karmapa and sent soldiers to capture him. Karma Pakshi felt only compassion to his captors who tried to harm him. When he was being tied up, the robes simply passed through his body. When they threw him and two of his disciples into the blazing fire, water flowed from their bodies putting out the flames.  He floated down to the ground when thrown from a cliff, and when cast into a lake his body glided across the water. When left in a desolated place to die, he  lived  without difficulty. Finally, Khublai Khan requested Karmapa's foregiveness and became his disciple. While in China, the Karmapa inspired to build a mammoth statue of the Buddha at Tsurphu and sent vast quantity of precious material from China. Upon his return, Karma Pakshi discovered that the fifty-five foot statute was leaning to one side. He meditated in front of the statute inclining his body at the same angle. When he straightened his body, the statue followed accordingly.

Karmapa Pakshi passed away at age eighty. His eyes, tongue and heart were found unburnt from his cremation ash along with images of deities and symbolic letters.

Rangjung Doeje  1284 - 1339