Karma Kagyud Lineage

The Great Siddha Tilopa & Pandita Naropa

The founding patron of the Kagyu Tradition was the Great Siddha Tilopa who lived in Northern India from 998-1069 AD. From the great Indian Masters, Tilopa received the four special transmissions. From the celestial Buddha Vajradhara, Dorje Chang, he received the Mahamudra practice. Through dedicated practice, Great Tilopa accomplished these practices. Although there have been historical discrepancies pertaining to the identities each of the Indian Masters from whom Tilopa received each of the four transmissions, there is a general consensus on the origin of these four transmissions:

	The first special transmission came from Nagarjuna. The transmission consisted of two tantras. They are known as: The Sangwa Dupa Tantra (Guhya Samajha) and The Denshi Tantra. The practices of the illusory Body and Consciousness Transference are also part of these two tantric practices.
	The second of the special transmissions was said to have come from Nakpopa. The transmission included tantras known as The Gyuma Chenmo (Maha Maya) as well as practice of Conscious Dreaming.
	The third special transmission originated from Lawapa. This transmission that Lawapa bestowed included the Tantra of Demcho (Chakra Samvara) as well as the practice of Clear Light.
	The fourth special transmission was given by Khandro Kalpa Zangmo. The tantra of Gyepa Dorje (He Vajra) and the practice of Tummo (Candali) were also included in this transmission.

The Celestial Buddha Dorje Chang (Vajradhara) was the main teacher to the Great Siddha Tilopa. It was from the Celestial Buddha that Tilopa attained the transmission of The Mahamudra teaching. Unlike the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, the Celestial Buddha Dorje Chang (Vajradhara) is one of many supreme enlightened beings that are always present and around us, ceaselessly bestowing us with their blessings.

The main disciple of Great Siddha Tilopa was Pandita Naropa who lived from 1016-1100 AD. Naropa is also popularly known as Jnanasiddhi. A heart theme of the Kagyu tradition is The Six Yogas of Naropa and the Mahamudra. Naropa was the central figure who systemized these essential heart teachings of the Kagyu Tradition.

Dorje Chang

Siddha Tilopa

Pandita Naropa