17 Karmapas' History:

• The First Karmapa
  Dusum Khyenpa (1100-1193)
• The Second Karmapa
  Karma Pakshi (1204-1283)
• The Third Karmapa
  Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339)
• The Fourth Karmapa
  Rolpe Dorje (1340-1383)
• The Fifth Karmapa
  Dezhin Shekpa (1384-1415)
• The Sixth Karmapa
  Thongwa Donden (1416-1453)
• The Seventh Karmapa
  Chodrak Gyatso (1454-1506)
• The Eighth Karmapa
  Mikyo Dorje (1507-1554)
• The Ninth Karmapa
  Wangchuk Dorje (1556-1603)
• The Tenth Karmapa
  Choying Dorje (1604-1674)
• The Eleventh Karmapa
  Yeshe Dorje (1676-1702)
• The Twelfth Karmapa
  Changchub Dorje (1703-1732)
• The Thirteenth Karmapa
  Dudul Dorje (1733-1797)
• The Fourteenth Karmapa
  Thekchok Dorje (1798-1868)
• The Fifteenth Karmapa
  Khakhyab Dorje (1871-1922)
• The Sixteenth Karmapa
  Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981)
• The Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa
  Ogyen Trinley Dorje (1985-Present)

The First Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa (1100-1193)

• Born to a family devoted to Buddhist practice in eastern Tibet.
• Studied and practiced Buddhism with his father and other well known masters of the time in central Tibet before he reached thirty years of age.
• At the age of thirty, he received teachings from Gampopa who is the heart son of Milarepa, the greatest yogi in Tibetan history.
• Attained enlightenment that gave him knowledge of the three modes of time (past, present and future) and the timeless time of enlightened awareness.
• The first Karmapa to present a prediction letter detailing his future incarnation.
• Among his main disciples were Taklunpa, Founder of Talung Kagyu; Lama Kadampa Deshek, founder of the Katok Nyingma Lineage; and Tsangpa Gyare, founder of the Drukpa Kagyu.