14th Shamar Rinpoche

The 14th Shamar Rinpoche, Mipham Chokyi Lodro (1952-2014) was the second highest-ranking lama in the Karma Kagyu lineage after the 16th Karmapa. He was born in Derge, Tibet. At the age of four he was recognised by the 16th Karmapa as the 14th Shamarpa reincarnation. Shamar Rinpoche received the entire cycle of Kagyu teachings from the 16th Karmapa, becoming the lineage holder. After the 16th Karmapa’s death in 1981, Shamar Rinpoche devoted his efforts to the many projects initiated by the late 16th Karmapa.

Shamar Rinpoche spent many years studying in India with Buddhist scholars. He taught in various Buddhist centres throughout Asia and the West starting in 1980. In 1996 he started to organise Bodhipath, a network of centres based on a non-sectarian approach to Buddhism.

Shamar Rinpoche passed away on 11 June 2014, just a few days after he had made his final visit to the United Kingdom, where he taught in Manchester and London.