The 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa Chokyi Dragpa, 1110-1193, (kar+ma pa 01 dus gsum mkhyen pa chos kyi grags pa) was born in Tresho (tre shod), Kham. His father was a Bhairava practitioner named Gompa Dorje Gon (sgom pa rdo rje mgon) and his mother was Latogza Gangcam Mingdren (lha thog gza' sgang lcam ming 'dren), and was given the name Gephel (dge 'phel). His father gave him instructions in the Nyingma tantric traditions, including Ekajati, and he is said to have met Vairochanavajra (bhai ro tsa na badzra, snang mdzad rdo rje), an Indian alchemist who had previously been to the Chinese court where he drank a cup of mercury before the Emperor.
