+86 139 8901 5575
losal@tibetuniversaltravel.com
The Kagyu (“oral transmission”) school of Tibetan Buddhism traces its origins to Tilopa (968-1069). A tantric master of India. He is said to have received instructions directly from Vajradhara. Vajradhara’s teachings are considered to be superior to those of Shakyamuni in that he is a “complete enjoyment body”, while Sakyamuni is only an “emanation body.
In order to receive teachings from a complete enjoyment body Buddha. One must have reached a high level of mystical awareness. So the instructions of such buddhas are vastly superior to those of emanation bodies. Since the latter must adapt their message to the limit capacities of their audiences.
In addition to Tilopa, the Kagyu order also counts such important Indian figures as Nagarjuna, Saraha, Savari, and Maitripa as the member of its lineage.
The Name Kagyu literally means “teaching lineage” and its adherents claim that its doctrines and practices are passed down through a succession of an awakened teacher. Tilopa, for example, transmits the teachings to his student Naropa (1016 -1100). Who first underwent a series of trials that tested his determination and purified his mind. Tilopa is credited with developing a meditation method called Mahamudra that would become a foundational practice of Kagyu.
One of Tilopa’s disciples was named Naropa (956-1041). Naropa was renown as a scholar and was widely recognise as a person who had conceptually master the teachings of the Sutras, Tantras, and Vinaya. He eventually rose to the position of abbot of Nalanda monastery, the greatest seat of learning in the Buddhist world at the time, which indicates that he was one of the foremost scholars of his day.
The main disciple of Naropa was Marpa Lotsawa (1012-1097). He is the first Tibetan member of the lineage and began his career as a translator of Buddhist texts into Tibetan. He made three trips to India and eventually received all of Naropa’s teachings, becoming one of his Dharma heirs. He spent the rest of his life in Tibet, giving teachings and transmissions and translating Buddhist scriptures into Tibetan.
Marpa’s most famous student was Jetsun Milarepa (1052–1135). He is renown throughout the Tibetan cultural area as one of the greatest figures of Tibetan Buddhism. Milarepa would also become one of Tibet’s greatest poets and yogis, therefore his life became one of Tibet’s favourite epic stories.
In brief, Milarepa study with a sorcerer and master black magic in his youth. But he repent and sought out Marpa for teaching. Milarepa masters the teachings and realise great enlightenment. One of Milarepa’s students, Gampopa Sonam Rinchen (1079-1153), is generally credit with founding the Dakpo Kagyu School, which is the main Kagyu tradition and usually just called “Kagyu.” Gampopa had mastered another tantric system called Kadampa, and his synthesis of Kadampa and Mahamudra became the basis of Kagyu practice.
Among the most important practices of the Kagyupa are the “Six Yogas of Naropa”, which are name after the Indian master. The six yogas are 1. Heat 2. Illusory body 3. Dream 4. Clear light 5. Intermediate state and 6. Transference of consciousness.
Kagyu School comprises one major and one minor subsect. The major subsect, Dagpo Kagyu that includes all those Schools dating back to the times of Gampopa. It is further subdivide into four major sub-sects: the Karma Kagyu, the Tsalpa Kagyu, the Barom Kagyu, and Pagtru Kagyu. The Pagtru Kagyu (minor subsect) gave birth to eight subsects – Drukpa Kagyu, Drikung Kagyu, Mar Kagyu, Shugseb Kagyu, Taklung Kagyu, Trophu Kagyu, Yamzang Kagyu and Yelpa Kagyu.
