THE KARMA-KAGYU-LINEAGE

The Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism traces its origin back to Buddha Shakyamuni through the great Indian yogi Tilopa (988-1069). In turn, Tilopa taught the renowned Indian Master Naropa. Naropa’s student Marpa – the great Tibeta translator – then passed the lineage on to Milarepa, the most famous yogi of Tibet. Milarepa’s foremost student was Gampopa, wtho transmitted the lineage to Dusam Khyenpa (1110-1193) – the first Karmapa.

"Karmapa" is a Tibetan title that means “the one who carries out Buddha-activity” or “the embodiment of all the activities of the Buddhas”.  In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, enlightened teachers, also known als tulkus, consciously take rebirth in order to teach. The institution of reincarnate lamas succeeding to their monastic and religious seats, begun by the first Karmapa, has continued in Tibet for over 800 years. In this tradition, The Karmapas have so far reincarnated for seventeen lifetimes, all have played a leading role in preserving and propagating the Buddhist teachings of Tibet.

Renowned throughout Tibet for their teachings, great scholarship and luminous realization, the Karmapas embodied the highest ideal of Buddhism – a life devoted utterly to the benefit of all living beings. Over hundreds of years the Karmapas have continued to selflessly and skillfully teach the path to full awakening, as the Buddha had done over a thousand years before.