Karma-pa

Tibetan Buddhism

Also known as: Black Hat sect

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June 30, 2026

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The Karma-pa is a prominent Buddhist sect in Tibet, originating from the Bka’-brgyud-pa school. This lineage traces back to the 11th-century teacher Mar-pa, who studied under the Indian master Naropa. Mar-pa's most revered disciple was Mi-la ras-pa, a celebrated poet-saint. The Karma-pa school, known for its red hats, was a significant rival to the Dge-lugs-pa (Yellow Hat) sect for temporal authority in Tibet, particularly from the 15th to the early 17th centuries.123

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Bka’-brgyud-pa
Of these, the Karma-pa was, during the 15th to early 17th century, the chief rival of the now-predominant Dge-lugs-pa (Yellow Hat) for the temporal authority of Tibet, while the ’Brug-pa became the main school of Buddhism in Bhutan.
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Of these, the Karma-pa was, during the 15th to early 17th century, the chief rival of the now-predominant Dge-lugs-pa (Yellow Hat) for the temporal authority of Tibet, while the ’Brug-pa became the main school of Buddhism in Bhutan.
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Dge-lugs-pa
…Tibet followed, principally with the Karma-pa sect. The Dge-lugs-pa eventually appealed to the Mongol chief Güüshi Khan for help, and his defeat in 1642 of the king of Gtsang, who favoured the Karma-pa, secured the temporal authority of Tibet for the Dge-lugs-pa. They continued to rule the country through their…
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…Tibet followed, principally with the Karma-pa sect. The Dge-lugs-pa eventually appealed to the Mongol chief Güüshi Khan for help, and his defeat in 1642 of the king of Gtsang, who favoured the Karma-pa, secured the temporal authority of Tibet for the Dge-lugs-pa. They continued to rule the country through their…
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