Karma Kagyu

Above we mentioned the eight chariots, and these chariots have two Kagyus – Shangpa Kagyu and Marpa Kagyu. This lineage was brought from India to Tibet by Marpa, who had the disciple Milarepa who then had the disciple Gampopa. Gampopa had four heart disciples, the “Four Great Ones”. Among the four great ones, the first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, is one of them. This is the Karma Kagyu lineage branching from this heart disciple.

The Karma Kagyu lineage is directly from the Buddha Vajradhara to Tilopa, Naropa, then Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa, and then the first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa. The method to engage in practice is called "Skillful Path of the Six Yogas of Naropa", a method to expedite the realization of Mahamudra. One way to approach Mahamudra directly is called "Path of Liberation - the Mahamudra". This was passed from the Buddha Vajradhara, then Lodru Rinchen, Shawaripa, Nagarjuna, Saraha, Maitripa and then Lord Marpa, Yogi Milarepa, Gampopa, then the first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa, and so on. In general, this is how the Karma Kagyu was passed down and became the principal lineage in Tibet. His Holiness the Karmapa is the principal lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu, as he was the heart disciple of Lord Gampopa. This lineage is unbreaking directly from the Buddha up until this time. Furthermore, the tradition of incarnate lamas was not accustomated in Tibet, but His Holiness the Karmapa invented the reincarnation of lamas. This has been greatly beneficial to sustain the lineage purely and without defilement. As time goes by, in this Dark Age, it unclear what is artificial, and what is genuine; individuals must analyze through their wisdom and skill.

The practice of all these begins with preliminary practice through Mahayana and Vajrayana. You have some sense through hearing and reflecting, then you meditate on this to attain perfect omniscience. There are many stories of each of these lineage lamas and great yogis. You can read the lineage stories and think on the meaning of what you've read as this will bring special devotion and confidence in your practice. Knowing the history of the lineage is one way to encourage your practice, seriously and precisely, as you develop an understanding in how these realized beings practiced, how they have compassion and devotion, and specifically before any practice, they had certainty that the world is the three types of suffering and gained confidence in renunciation. They are fully disgusted in samsara pleasure and completely let go of all these worldly activities. In this way, most of the high enlightened beings go through this way to achieve realization without any hindrance and obstacles, and perform the activity to benefit sentient beings and also sustain the lineage and doctrine.

These lineages are very well known in the world, Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim, Ladakh, India, China, Europe, North America, South America, the teachings have been flourishing all over and there's many teachers who are truly accomplished; this lineage is very alive and active. However, you have to really be a Buddhist and not pretending to be one, as pretending is a way to deceive oneself and obstructs you and interrupts your path to liberation. If you do real practice accordingly, it is the most beneficial and you will not regret at the end of your life. After all, we ordinary beings have to start somewhere, so don't hesitate to take refuge, get involved in the practice and learn.

All of the Karmapa’s story is published by the KTD Bookstore in Woodstock, New York; you can research his story. All of the Kagyu lineage biographies of each of these lamas and Mahasiddhas, you can get more information from them; each incarnation of the Karmapa has a biography that you can read, which you can obtain at the same place: https://www.ktdpublications.com

This short lineage history was composed by me, Lama Lodu Rinpoche. If you see any errors, don't hesitate to clarify with me directly, so I will learn from my mistakes.