The lineages of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism derive primarily from two sources: Marpa Chokyi Lodoe (1012-1099) and Khyungpo Nyaljor (978-1079). Most of the later developments of the Kagyu are based on the more renowned and more widely practiced lineages instigated by Marpa called Dakpo Kagyu . A small fraction of practitioners are following the other original form initiated by Khyungpo Nyaljor, the tradition called Shangpa Kagyu .

Shangpa Kagyu

One of the two original forms of the Kagyu tradition, was founded by the great adept, Khyungpo Naljor (978-1079). Dissatisfied with his training in Bon and Dzogchen practices, Khyungpo Nyaljor left for Nepal where he met Acharya Sumati. From him he received training as a translator and traveled on to India. After having received teachings from one hundred and fifty scholar-adepts he is said to have mastered the entire exoteric and esoteric doctrine. His principal teachers include Sukhasiddha, Rahulagupta and Niguma, the consort of Naropa. Besides receiving practical guidance from masters in human form, he also received transmissions from the Dakinis (celestial maidens). After returning to Tibet, he received the vows of a monk from the Kadampa master Langri Thangpa.

Khyungpo Naljor established many monasteries in the regions of Phenyul and the "Shang" area of the Tsang region of Tibet, and therefore, the lineage he founded came to be known as the "Shangpa" Kagyu. He continued his activities of teaching and propagating the Shangpa Kagyu lineage for over thirty years in Tibet. He had many students and passed down the lineage he received, which continues today.

Some of the main practices of the Shangpa Kagyu lineage are Chakrasambhava, Hevajra, Mahamaya, Guhyasamaja, the Six Doctrines of Niguma, Mahamudra, the Six-armed and the White Mahakala, and others. Jamgon Kongtrul the Great made a tremendous effort to revive and preserve the lineage of the Shangpa Kagyu, which is now flourishing in Tibet and outside through the blessings and aspirations of Jamgon Kongtrul and the Sixteenth Karmapa. Two of the main contemporary Shangpa Kagyu masters are the Very Venerable Kalu Rinpoche (1905-89) and Bokar Rinpoche.

A. The Phaktru ('phag gru) Kagyu

Deshek Phakmo Trupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110-1170), who was one of the main students of Gampopa and is especially known for his realization and transmission of the Mahamudra lineage, founded this lineage of the Kagyu school. He also founded a monastery in the Phakmo area, which was later called Densa Thil. Many additional schools of Kagyu lineage grew from Phakmo Trupa's disciples.

B. The Kamtsang (kam tshang) or Karma (kar ma) Kagyu

The First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193), who was one of the main students of Gampopa, founded this lineage of the Kagyu School. In 1139 C.E., at the age of thirty, Dusum Khyenpa met Gampopa and became his disciple. This tradition has remained strong and successful due mainly to the presence of an unbroken reincarnate line of the founder, the successive Karmapas. All the successive incarnations of the Karmapas are very well know in every part of Tibet and among all Tibetan Buddhist practitioners, for their accomplishments in meditation, scholarship, and the activities of benefiting beings.

C. The Tsalpa (tshal pa) Kagyu

Lama Zhang, otherwise known as Yudakpa Tsondu Dakpa (1123-1193), whose main teacher was Wangom Tsultrim Nyingpo, a student of Gampopa, founded this tradition. He is also the founder of Gungthang monastery and had many learned students.

D. The Barom ('ba' rom) Kagyu

Barom Darma Wangchuk, a student of Gampopa, founded this tradition. He was also the founder of Barom monastery in the northern Lato region of Tibet and the name of the tradition came from this.

The eight additional or sub-schools of the Kagyu lineage have developed within the Phaktru Kagyu.

1. The Drikhung ('bri gung) Kagyu was founded by Drikhung Kyopa Jigten Sumgyi Gonpo (1143-1217). Drikung Kyapgon Chetsang Rinpoche (b. 1946), who resides in Dehradun, India, is the present head of the Drikhung Kagyu lineage.

2. The Drukpa ('brug pa) Kagyu was founded by Drupchen Lingrepa Pema Dorje (1128-1188), a student of Phakmo Trupa, and his disciple Choje Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorje, (1161-1211). They founded the first seat of this lineage, Namdruk Monastery in central Tibet. Later, Kunkhyen Pema Karpo (1527-1592) founded the Druk Sang-ngak Choling in southern Tibet, which became the main seat of this lineage. Kapgon Drukchen Rinpoche, who lives in Darjeeling, India, is the present head of the lineage. This lineage, adopted as the state religion of the Kingdom Of Bhutan, originally was brought there by the great Drukpa Kagyu master Shaptrung Ngakwang Namgyal and flourished in Bhutan throughout the centuries. His Holiness Je Khenpo of Bhutan and the present King of Bhutan Jigme Senge Wangchuk are the head of Drukpa Kagyu in Bhutan.

3. The Taklung (stag lung) Kagyu was founded by Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal (1142-1210). Taklung Shapdrung Rinpoche, is presently heads the lineage, along with Taklung Matul Rinpoche and Tsatrul Rinpoche.

4. The Yasang (g.y'a bzang) Kagyu was founded by Zarawa Kalden Yeshe Senge (? - 1207 d.), a student of Phakmo Trupa, and his disciple Yasang Choje Chokyi Monlam (1169-1233). Yasang Choje founded the Yasang or Yamsang (g.yam bzang) monastery in 1206 C.E. and the name of the lineage came from that.

5. The Trophu (khro phu) Kagyu was founded by Rinpoche Gyatsa, nephew and a student of Phakmo Trupa, and his disciple Trophu Lotsawa Champa Pal (1173-1225). Trophu Lotsawa founded the Trophu monastery and institute in the Tsang region of central Tibet and the name of the lineage derives from this.

6. The Shuksep (shug gseb) Kagyu was founded by Gyergom Tsultrim Senge (1144-1204), who was a student of Phakmo Trupa. He founded the Shuksep monastery in 1181 C.E., in the Nyephu area in the Chushur region of central Tibet, from whence comes the name of the lineage.

7. The Yelpa (yel pa) Kagyu was founded by Yelpa Drupthop Yeshe Tsekpa (century?) who founded the monasteries in Yelphuk.

8. Martsang (smar tshang) Kagyu was founded by Martsang Sherab Senge, a student of Phakmo Trupa.
Karma Kagyu is one of the most widely spread and thriving tradition today hence the First Karmapa began the lineage system of incarnate lamas or tulkus in Tibet. In this Lineage, there has been a long tradition for Black and Red Crowns as the Gyalwa Karmapa is adorned with an invisible Black Vajra Crown upon his head. Below one can find out more on the Kagyu lineage and its development in brief.

Karma Kagyu

Karma Kagyu is one of the most widely spread and thriving tradition today hence the First Karmapa began the lineage system of incarnate lamas or tulkus in Tibet. In this Lineage, there has been a long tradition for Black and Red Crowns as the Gyalwa Karmapa is adorned with an invisible Black Vajra Crown upon his head. Below one can find out more on the Kagyu lineage and its development in brief.