Our Lineage

We follow the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The Karma Kagyu lineage is known as the “Golden Rosary” — an unbroken chain of enlightened masters transmitting the Buddha’s teachings from heart to heart.

Our center is under the spiritual guidance of His Eminence the 12th Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche, one of the most senior and respected lamas in the Karma Kagyu tradition.

The Golden Rosary — Lineage Masters

  1. Vajradhara — the primordial dharmakaya buddha and source of realization.
  2. Tilopa — the first human Kagyu teacher and master of mahamudra and tantra.
  3. Naropa — great Nalanda scholar, mahasiddha and student of Tilopa.
  4. Marpa — the great translator who carried the lineage to Tibet.
  5. Milarepa — Tibet’s greatest yogi, who attained buddhahood in one lifetime.
  6. Gampopa — physician and scholar who founded the monastic Kagyu and taught the 1st Karmapa.

The Kagyu lineage traces its origin back to Buddha Shakyamuni through the great Indian mahasiddha Tilopa (988-1069), who first developed the spontaneous insight of enlightened realization. The realization was passed down to:

  • Naropa (1016-1100) — Indian scholar and mahasiddha, holder of the Six Dharmas lineage
  • Marpa Lotsawa (1012-1097) — the great Tibetan translator who brought the teachings from India to Tibet
  • Milarepa (1052-1135) — the greatest yogi of Tibet, known for his Vajra Songs
  • Gampopa (1079-1153) — the great physician and scholar, founder of the monastic Kagyu tradition
  • The Karmapas — beginning with Düsum Khyenpa (1110-1193), the 1st Karmapa

Kagyu Scriptures

The general Buddhist canon of the Kagyur and Tengyur provides the primary sources for the Kagyu lineage, along with many hundreds of volumes from the Kagyu masters — the works of Marpa, the Vajra Songs of Milarepa, the Collected Works of Gampopa and the Karmapas. In the 19th century, Jamgon Kongtrul the Great (1813-1899) compiled the Treasury of the Kagyu Mantraya, one of the main sources of instructions for the lineage.

Tantra & Mahamudra

The Kagyu lineage practices both sutra and tantra, with a special focus on Vajrayana and Mahamudra teachings:

The Path of Skillful Means is the tantric path, including the four levels of tantras. The three main Yidam practices unique to the Kagyu School are Vajrayogini, Cakrasambhava, and Gyalwa Gyamtso. The Completion Stage practice of the Six Dharmas of Naropa (Six Yogas) is one of the heart essences.

The Path of Liberation is the practice of Mahamudra (The Great Seal), the highest meditation training and the unique feature of the Kagyu tradition. It leads to the direct realization of the nature of mind.

Four Main Schools of the Kagyu

Gampopa’s Dakpo Kagyu gave rise to four main schools:

  1. Karma Kagyu (Kamtsang) — founded by the 1st Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa. This is our tradition.
  2. Phaktru Kagyu — founded by Deshek Phakmo Trupa
  3. Tsalpa Kagyu — founded by Lama Zhang
  4. Barom Kagyu — founded by Barom Darma Wangchuk

Eight additional sub-schools developed within the Phaktru Kagyu, including Drikhung, Drukpa, and Taklung Kagyu.

The Shangpa Kagyu, founded by Khyungpo Nyaljor (978-1079), is a separate but related lineage.

Kagyu Monasteries

Tsurphu Monastery in central Tibet, founded by the 1st Karmapa, was one of the most important seats of the lineage. In exile, the 16th Karmapa founded Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India. Chögar Gong was founded by the line of Goshir Gyaltsabpa incarnations. In exile, Palchen Chökhor Ling in Ralang, Sikkim was founded by the 12th Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche.

Head of the Lineage

His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981) was the head of the entire Kagyu tradition. His reincarnation, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, is the current head of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

Adapted from kagyuoffice.org — the official website of the 17th Karmapa.