The birth of the sixth Karmapa, Tongwa Donden (1416-1453), at Ngomto Shakyam near Karma Gon in East Tibet, was marked by many auspicious signs. One month later, carried by his mother as she went begging, he became highly excited when their path crossed that of Ngompa Chadral, a student of the fifth Karmapa.

Ngompa Chadral asked the identity of the child, who smiled back and replied "I'm the Karmapa"; he cared for the baby for seven months, before taking him to Karma Gon, one of Karmapa's three main monasteries in Tibet. As young as he was, Tongwa Donden immediately began to teach. At three, he met Ratnabhadra, and received full Kagyu transmission. At six, he created several Tantric rituals.

The third Shamarpa, Chopal Yeshe, came to Karma Gon during this period to crown the Karmapa, and to give him further teachings. He was nine when he was ordained by Khenchen Sonam Zangpo at the monastery of Wolkar Tashi Tang. Tongwa Donden's life was spent teaching, and building monasteries and shrines, throughout Tibet. Bengar Jampal Zangpo and the first Gyaltsap, Goshir Paljor Dondrup, were his two principal students and became his lineage holders. They would become the main teachers of the seventh Karmapa, Chodrag Gyamtso.