The Karma Kagyu Lineage the Karma Kagyu Lineage

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The Karma Kagyu Lineage The Karma Kagyu lineage is one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a lineage of direct oral transmission from teacher to student, and treasures meditation and one's view in life as means to attain enlightenment. The Karma Kagyu methods originate from the historical Buddha Shakyamuni and were given to his closest students. Centuries later, they were transmitted through the Indian Mahasiddhas: Tilopa, Naropa and Maitripa. After Mongolian and Islamic conquerors destroyed the Indian culture around 1,000 AD, the teachings lived on through the famous Tibetan yogis, Marpa and Milarepa. In the 12th century, Gampopa taught the first Karmapa, whose successive incarnations have kept these teachings alive to the present day. The Gyalwa Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, and is often called the Black Hat Lama of Tibet. The Karmapa was the first recognised reincarnation in Tibetan history and is revered for his spiritual power throughout Tibet. Second to the Karmapa is the Shamarpa, who is the lineage holder between Karmapa's incarnations. They are known as the Black Hat and Red Hat Karmapas and their minds are considered inseparable. H.H. 16 th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, fled the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959 and thus secured the survival of the Karma Kagyu lineage. With the help of his Western students, he brought the unique teachings about the nature of mind to the West. He was renowned for his joyfulness, profound insight, and powerful presence. The transmission of the lineage continues today with H.H. 17 th Karmapa, Trinlay Thaye Dorje, who escaped from Tibet in 1994 at the age of ten and was recognised as the 17th Karmapa by Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche. Karmapa Thaye Dorje currently resides in Kalimpong, India. For more information on the Karma Kagyu Lineage see the following websites: www.karmapa.org www.shamarpa.org www.karma-kagyu.org .

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