Karma Kagyud Lineage

Kagyud Lineage

Four illustrious disciples of Lord Gampopa later formed the 4 major schools of Kagyu lineage:

	Barom Dharma Wangchuk was the founder of Barom Kagyu
	Phamo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo was the founder of Phagdtru Kagyu
	Shang Tsalpa Tsondru Drag was the founder of Tsalpa Kagyu
	Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa was the founder of Karma Kagyu, also known as Kamtsang Kagyu.

There are also eight minor Kagyu lineages:

	Taglung Thang Tashi Pel founded Taglung Kagyu
	Phamo Trugpa's nephew. Drogon Gyaltsa founded Trophu Kagyu
	Choje Gyare Yeshe Dorjey who was also known as Lingje Repa Pema Dorje founded Drukpa Kagyu
	Choje Marwa Drupthop founded Martsang Kagyu
	Yelpa Yeshe Tsengpa founded Yerpa Kagyu
	Zharawa Yeshe Genge founded Yazang Kagyu
	Nyiphu Gyergom Chenpo founded Shugseb Kagyu
	Drikung Kyopa Jigten Gonpo founded Drikung Kagyu

The terms of reference to the various lineages of the Kagyu tradition as being Major and Minor do not refer to the instructions and the methods of practice. They do not refer to any form of ranking of any sort. All the lineages are and should be treated and perceived to be equal and accorded with the amount of same respect. They are termed this way merely because the four major lineages originated from directly transmissions from Je Gampopa while the eight minor were founded later by accomplished masters belonging to a later generation. Today, Karma Kagyu or Kamtsang Kagyu is the most prominent lineage among the major Kagyu Lineages. Pertaining to the minor lineages, Taglung, Drukpa, and Drikung Kagyu are the only remaining lineages that still exist as independent lineages. All schools and lineages of Tibetan Buddhism have one common lineage: it is the lineage of Pratimoksha Vows and the lineage of the Bodhisattva Vows.

In the Kagyu school of thought, there is a term of reference known as "The Golden Kagyu Garland". This term refers to accomplished masters who belong to a special lineage whose heart practice is The Practice of the Mahamudra. The lineage masters include the Indian Masters of this lineage, the successive reincarnations of the Gyalwa Karmapas and important selected students who re-transmit the practice back to the line of the Gyalwa Karmapas. This lineage of great masters ensures that the teachings remain intact and are kept pure. The lineage masters are always selected by the Karmapa himself.

Karma Kagyud Lineage