The fourth Karmapa, Rolpe Dorje (1340 – 1383) emulated his previous incarnation by sitting up at his birth, in Kongpo province in Central Tibet, and speaking – this time choosing to recite the mantra of Chenrezig, "Om Mani Peme Hung Shri".

Having – as that previous incarnation – left clear instructions with his secretary, Rinchen Pal, as to which signs to look for, the child was quickly found, and his training begun. At six he took refuge vows and the lay precepts from Tokden Gon Gyalwa, who also taught the young Karmapa the Tantrayana.

Rolpe Dorje was twelve before, travelling to Central Tibet; he met the lineage holder Gyalwa Yungton Dorje Pal, and proceeded to convince the older man of his authenticity by recounting many anecdotes from his previous life as the third Karmapa. Rolpe Dorje went on to request Gyalwa Yungton Dorje Pal to give him the transmission of the Kagyu teachings. Once his education at the hands of his former student was complete, Rolpe Dorje travelled widely through Tibet and China, teaching and taking disciples; the foremost of these was the second Shamarpa, who became the next lineage holder.

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