A Short Guide to Tibetan Buddhism
Four Schools Of Tibetan Buddhism
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Nyingma ('The Ancient Ones' )
This is the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is based on a lineage of teachings and traditions introduced during the reigns of the Buddhist Kings of the Yarlong Dynasty in the eighth and ninth century by Padmasambhava, Shantarakshita, Vilalamitra, and others.
Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava)
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Kagyu ( 'Oral Lineage' )
The particular feature of the Kagyu lineage is that the teacher, after having mastered the teachings, clears away defects - relating to intellectual understanding, meditational experience, and the various levels of realisation. Upon completion of the process, the teacher is able to point out and introduce mahamudra to the disciple. The Kagyu teachings have been transmitted and preserved this way, in an unbroken line, until the present time.
Shangpa Kagyu, was founded by Khyungpo Nyaljor (978-1079).
The late Kalu Rinpoche (1905-1989) was the principle contemporary exponent of this tradition. Rinpoche's Monastery and Retreat Center is located in New York.
The Dagpo Kagyu lineage
(a generic name for various Kagyu lineages descended from Dagpo Lharje Gampopa) began with:
Siddha Tilopa (988-1069)
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who was taught directly by the Buddha Dorje Chang (Vajradhara). He gave his teaching to
Siddha Naropa (1016-1100)
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whose disciple
Marpa (1012-1097)
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passed it to
 Milarepa (1052-1135)
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who is the teacher of
Dagpo Lharje Gampopa (1079-1153)
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founder of Dakpo Kagyu.
Four 'Major' Kagyus (Directly from Dharma-Lord Gampopa)
Baram Kagyu
Founded by
Baram Darma Wangchuk |
Karma Kagyu
Founded by
Dusum Khyenpa
(1110-1193)
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Tsalpa Kagyu
Founded by
Zhang Yudakpa Tsondu Dakpa
(1123-1193) |
Pagtru Kagyu
Founded by
Phagmo Drupa
(1100-1170)
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Eight 'Great' Kagyus (From Phagmodrupa or Pagtru Kagyu)
Drikung Kagyu
Founded by
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Taklung (Taglung) Kagyu
Founded by
Taglung Thangpa Tashe Pel (1142-1210) |
Drukpa (Lingre) Kargyud
Founded by
Ling Repa(1128-1189) |
Yazang Kagyu
Founded by
Yeshi Senge |
Trobu (Trophu) Kagyu
Founded by
Rinpoche Gyaltsa |
Martsang (Martshang) Kagyu
Founded by
Marpa Rinchen Lodoe |
Yerpa (Yelpa) Kagyu
Founded by
Yelpa Yeshe Tseg |
Shukseb (Shugseb) Kagyu
Founded by
Chokyi Sengey |
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Sakya 'Grey Earth'
The Sakya tradition originated in the eleventh century, and has been closely associated with the Khon Family. Khon Lui Wangpo Sungwa became a disciple of Guru Rinpoche in the eighth century. Through the next thirteen generations, the Dharma continued to be propagated through the Khon family. In 1073, Sakya Monastery was built by Khon Konchok Gyalpo which established the Sakya Tradition in Tibet. He studied under Drokmi the Translator (992-1072) and became a master of many deep teachings.
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Gelug 'Way of Virtue'
This is lineage combines the teachings and practices of the Nyingma, Kagyu and Sakya with the Sutra and Tantra systems of Indian Buddhism and the intellectual heritage of Nagarjuna and Asanga. It was founded by Gyalwa Tsongkhapa (1357-1419)
Tsongkhapa's disciple, Gyalwa Gedun Drupa was the first of the fourteen successive rebirths of the Dalai Lama. The present Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, known to his followers as Vajradhara Vagindra Sumati Shasana Dhara Samudra Shri Bhadra. He was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 in recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of world peace and alleviating the sufferings of the Tibetan people under the genicidal policies of the Chinese government.
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Other Buddhist Schools
Kadam School
A school of Tibetan Buddhism founded by the eleventh century century Indian scholar and saint Atisha and his Tibetan disciple Dromtonpa. This school is particularly known for its great emphasis on practical application of the ideals of a Bodhisattva within the practitioner's daily life and is responsible for the development in Tibet of a specific collection of writings known as Lojong or "Thought Transformation". The Kadam school later evolved into three sub-divisions Lamrimpa, Shungpawa, and Mengapa, each founded by one of the three Kadam brothers, whose names were Potowa, Chekawa, and Phuljungwa. Although there is no existing school of Tibetan Buddhism now explicitly known as Kadam, the teachings in this school are highly respected by all the four major traditions, and in particular by the Gelug school.Excerpted from A Handbook of Tibetan Culture
Rime School
A non-sectarian or eclectic movement which crystallized during the nineteenth century in Eastern Tibet where the study and integration of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism were encouraged by the leading figures of that time, namely: Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, Chogyur Dechen Lingpa, and Ju Mipham Gyatso. A principal feature of the Rime movement was the emergence of a new literature. This consisted primarily of compendiums of major works of all the major and minor schools of Tibetan Buddhism on convergent topics of thought and practice. Excerpted from A Handbook of Tibetan Culture
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Non-Buddhist Traditions
Bon
An ancient spiritual tradition, considered by scholars to be of Zoroastrian or Kashmiri Buddhist origin, which was widespread in Tibet, particularly in the western region of Zhangzhung prior to the official introduction and establishment of Buddhism. Although its literature appears to distinguish it from both the indigenous beliefs of Tibet and the Buddhist traditions, it has over the last several hundred years assimilated many of the teachings of the Buddha Shakyamuni and developed a neo-Buddhist theoretical foundation. The Bon tradition is particularly strong in the Shand region of Tsang, in Kongpo, Khyungpo, and the Ngawa region of Amdo. Excerpted from A Handbook of Tibetan Culture
Ligmincha Institute
Bon Shen Ling | Tibetan Bon Education Fund
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Discussion Groups
Named Buddhist Newsgroups(Usenet)
| alt.religion.buddhism.tibetan |
alt.religion.buddhism.nichiren |
| alt.religion.buddhism.nichiren.shoshu.news |
alt.buddha.short.fat.guy |
| talk.religion.buddhism |
uk.religion.buddhist |
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Suppliers
Tibetan Spirit
Tibetan Buddhist Arts
Snow Lion Publications
Publishes and stocks books on Buddhism, as well as being a source of dharma items, such as incense, malas, thangkas, etc.
Indian Book Center (Sri Satguru Publications) publishes books in English, Tibetan, and English.
Traditional Tibetan Healing
traditional remedies for modern ailments - effective herbal supplements for your health.
Four Gates
Sacred Tools for Happiness
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Books to Read
- A Handbook of Tibetan Culture: A Guide to Tibetan Centres and Resources throughout the World ; Compiled by the Orient Foundation and edited by Graham Coleman; Shambala Press; Boston; 1994
- The Great Kagyu Masters: The Golden Lineage Treasury ; Translated by Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen, edited by Victoria Huckenpahler; Snow Lion Publications; Ithica, New York; 1990
- In Search of the Stainless Ambrosia ; Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen, edited by Victoria Huckenpahler; Snow Lion Publications; Ithica, New York; 1988
- The Garland of Mahamudra Practices ; Translated by Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen, co-translated and edited by Katherine Rogers; Snow Lion Publications; Ithica, New York; 1986
- Prayer Flags ; Translated by Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen; Snow Lion Publications; Ithica, New York
- The Life of Milarepa; translated by Lobsang P. Lhalungpa; Arkana(Penguin); 1979
- The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa (Vols 1 & 2); Translated and annotated by Garma CC Chang; Shambala; Boston; 1989
- Miraculous Journey: New Stories and Songs by Milarepa; Translated by Lama Kunga Rimpoche and Brian Cutillo; Lotsawa; Novato, Ca.;1986
- Jewel Ornament of Liberation; Gampopa
- Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva; Shantideva
Online English Translation
- Lamp on the Path to Enlightenment; Atisha
Links
Here are some online references
These references are in addition to those elsewhere in the document
If these should be placed elsewhere, ie, with a particular lineage or school,
or if I have missed one, please send me email to correct the error.
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Karma Kagyu
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Taklung Kagyu
Head of this lineage is now Shabdrung Rinpoche in Sikkim
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Drukpa Kargyud
Head of this lineage is headed by His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, who has re-established his monastery in Darjeeling, India
Drukpa Kargyud Website
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Mail Comments to Jack Churchward
Last updated 10/26/11.
Drikung Kyobpa Choling San Diego, California
