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The Beginning... |
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One morning in the 6th Century, in the highlands of Tibet, the sunrise seemed to be much brighter than it usually was. Daylight lasted much longer than it usually would have. The air seemed calmer... it was on that particular day that Buddhism first set foot onto the highlands of Tibet. It was the beginning of a new era in Tibet. It was at that time that the tradition of what is now popularly known as Tibetan Buddhism first sprouted in the mystic highlands.
Now, this excellent denomination of Mahayana Buddhism can be further sub-divided into four main schools: The Nyingmapa, The Sakyapa, The Kagyupa, and The Gelugpa. Like the branches of a tree, these four schools of Tibetan Buddhism share a common foundation. These schools are based on the teachings of the Lord Buddha and they share a common objective: To enlighten all suffering mother sentient beings who are in the cycle of Samsara. These four schools are different in the sense that they were founded by different patron lineage masters. The practices of these different lineage masters of the various schools vary but they all seek the common goal of attaining Buddhahood.
The patron founders and the lineage masters who belong to the tradition of Kagyupa have been known throughout history to be Masters of Meditation and the Gurus of Buddhist Philosophy. Another key feature that sets the Kagyu Tradition apart from the rest is the emphasis on the Guru-Disciple Relationship. Practitioners who belong to this tradition believe deeply that the Guru-Disciple Relationship can lead them to complete enlightenment within one lifetime.
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May the Buddhadharma - the sole medicine for all suffering and the source of all happiness - be upheld with reverence and may it remain for a long time.
- Shantideva
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