Mipham Chökyi Lodrö
Mipham Chökyi Lodrö, the 14th Shamarpa (1952-2014) was one of the most prominent lineage holders of the Karma Kagyü school of Tibetan Buddhism, second only to the Karmapa himself. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche was recognized by his uncle the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa as the fourteenth Shamarpa. He became one of the main disciples of His Holiness the Karmapa, who enthroned him and took him under his wing, guiding him and bestowing the entire cycle of the Kagyü teachings. Shamar Rinpoche remained with His Holiness until he passed away in 1981.
Shamar Rinpoche recognized Trinley Thaye Dorje (b. 1983) as the 17th Karmapa.
Shamar Rinpoche was also the founder of Bodhi Path, a worldwide network of Buddhist centres. He had thousands of students in many countries and dedicated his life to the projects initiated by the sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa.