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 Fifth Karmapa Dezhin Shekpa (1384-1415)

• The fifth Karmapa was born in the Nyang Dam region of southern Tibertto yogin parents.
• When the child was brought to Tsawa Phu in Kongpo, Khacho Wangpo recognized him immediately as the incarnation of Rolpe Dorje and presented him with the Black Crown and other possessions of the fourth Karmapa.
• Khacho Wangpo went on to give Karmapa the full cycle of Kagyu teachings and soon the Karmapa completed his traditional training.
• At the age of twenty-three, he start on a three-year journey to the imperial palace of China by the invitation of the emperor.
• In 1410, Dezhin Shekpa returned to Tsurphu to oversee its reconstruction of the monastery that was damaged by an earthquake.
• Realizing that he would die at a young age, he left indication of his future rebirth and passed away into parinirvana at age of 31.