The fifteenth Karmapa, Khakyab Dorje (1871–1922), spoke the mantra of Chenrezig "Om mani peme hung" at his birth in Sheikor village in Tsang province in Central Tibet. Five years later he was able to read the scriptures.

Recognised and enthroned by the ninth Kyabgon Drukchen, Khakyab Dorje was given the Kagyu teachings by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye. Khenchen Tashi Ozer and other masters completed his education.

He was enthroned at Tsurphu Monastery when he was six years old. He went on to teach and give empowerments throughout Tibet, and preserved many rare texts by having them reprinted.

In 1898 he travelled to Bhutan bestowing many transmissions. On his return to Tibet he took several consorts as his guru had predicted. In some rare cases, bhikshus are given permission by their lamas to do consort practices, but only lamas who have attained realisations may do so.^{[citation needed]}

Unlike the previous Karmapas, Khakyab Dorje married Khandro Ugyen Tsomo, and fathered three sons, one of whom was recognised as the second Jamgon Kongtrul and another the twelfth Shamarpa, Jamyang Rinpoche.