Karma Kagyu Lineage

Karma Kagyu is one of the major schools of Diamond Way Buddhism. As a lineage of direct oral transmission it especially treasures meditation and can, through interaction with a qualified teacher, bring about the full and direct experience of the nature of mind.

The Karma Kagyu teachings come directly from the historical Buddha Sakyamuni. They were given the form of a path of lay practitioners, closely connected to everyday life, by great Indian Mahasiddhas, Naropa and Maitripa, and Tibetan yogis, Marpa and Milarepa, a thousand years ago. Afterwards, Gampopa developed a monastic tradition.

Since the 12th century, the continuity of the lineage has been maintained by the individual incarnations of Karmapas. Today, the transmission is being passed on by Buddhist teachers such as the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Thaye Dorje, Kunzig Shamarpa, Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, Khenpo Chodrag, and Lama Ole Nydahl.