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Khachö Wangpo was recognized by the Fourth Gyalwa Karmapa as the reincarnation of Khädrup Dragpa Senge, the First Shamar Rinpoche. As a symbol of their close bond, the Third Karmapa had presented a Red Hat Crown to Dragpa Senge.

Khächö Wangpo was born in Chemalung of Namshung, northern Tibet, in the iron-tiger year. The Dharma Fellowship of His Holiness the Karmapa tells us: “When he was 14 months old, he said that he was the reincarnation of Dragpa Senge and that his teacher would be the Karmapa. He did not meet the Fourth Karmapa until seven years later, but when he did, the latter is said to have immediately recognized him as his disciple.” Then the Karmapa gave him the authentic Vajrayana empowerments, the Mahamudra transmissions, the Six Dharmas of Naropa, and the Whispering Lineage transmissions of the Kagyu Lineage. He also granted the ceremonial Red Crown to him, so he became the Second Shamar Rinpoche. Khachö Wangpo studied the Sutras and Tantras with many teachers of the Kagyü and Nyingma Schools. From an early age, he had numerous visions.

When the Fourth Karmapa passed into Parinirvana, Khachö Wangpo continued the lineage activities and enthroned the Fifth Gyalwa Karmapa. Khachö Wangpo was one of the first lineage teachers to record some of the key instructions into writing. It is said that his collected works came up to eight entire volumes.

In the wood-rooster year, at the age of 56, he passed away and many wondrous signs of realization appeared. Among his students, Rigpe Rältri was an important student. He became Lineage-holder and the principal teacher of the Sixth Karmapa, Thongwa Dönden.

May virtue increase!