Like many of his previous incarnations, the 17th Karmapa is a talented poet, author, and translator.

His Holiness has been composing texts and poems since early childhood. Many of these have been translated into various languages and collected into volumes and publications, and many are recited by students as part of their daily prayers and practices.

In 2010 the Karmapa wrote and directed a play based on the life story of Milarepa which was performed at the Kagyu Monlam and watched by thousands of students from around the world.

On a previous trip to the United States the Gyalwang Karmapa even attended a poetry jam at Princeton University to experience a day like a college student.

You can find the Karmapa’s latest book here.