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 Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje (1556-1603)

• Was born in the Tresho region of eastern Tibet and soon was recognized by Tai Situpa Chokyi Gocha and Shamarpa Konchok Yenlak in accordance with the prediction letter.
• Received complete Kagyu transmission and gave teachings through out Tibet.
• Gave teachings and build monasteries in Mongolia, Bhutan, and Sikkim. Rumtek monastery which located in Sikkim subsequently became the Karmapa's seat in India during the early 1960s.
• Like the eighth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje was also a creative author and wrote many commentaries on Sutras and tantras including The Ocean of Definitive Meaning, Dispelling the Darkness of Ignorance, and Pointing Out the Dharmakaya.
• At age of forty-eight Wangchuk Dorje passed into parinirvana and left his prediction letter about the next incarnation to the sixth Shamarpa, Chokyi Wangchuk.