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 Seventh Karmapa Chodrak Gyatso (1454-1506)

• Born to a family of tantric practitioners in Chida in northern Tibet.
• Spoke the Sanskrit mantra, Ah Hung, at birth and spoke "There is nothing in the world but emptiness" at five months of age.
• Recognized as the seventh Karmapa by Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpochein accordance with the instruction letter of the sixth Karmapa.
• Chodrake Gyatso dedicated much of his life to retreat. He was also an accomplished scholar who authorized many texts, such as The Lamp of the Three Worlds and The Ocean of Reasoning.
• The Karmapa formally established monastic universities at Tsurphu and other places and convinced numerous people to recite millions of Om Mani Padme Hung mantras as a cure for all ills.
• Before passing into parinirvana at the age of fifty-three, he provided details of his next incarnation.