Kagyu

Kagyu is next Nyingma, Sakya, and Gelug schools one of the great traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

Formation

The Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism back to Marpa the Translator (1012-1097), who continued the Mahamudra lineage of Tilopa (988-1069) and Naropa ( 1016-1100 ). He is one of the great translators who began the tradition of the New Translation ( Sarma ). Among the Sarma schools of the new translation period today include the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug school, as opposed to the old translations from the 9th century, from which evolved the tradition of the Old Translation ( Nyingma ).

Marpa's main disciple was well known in Tibet because of its privation apprenticeship and his spiritual songs Yogi Milarepa ( 1042-1123 ). Milarepa's most important students were later Tertön statement Dorje dragpa ( Rechungpa ) ( 1084-1161 ), who handed down the life story of Milarepa, and the monk Gampopa ( 1079-1153 ) from Dagpo. Gampopa was famous for his learning. In the West, his work for the stepped path ( Lamrim ) is known "Jewel Ornament of Liberation ". He founded the typical for the Kagyu schools form the policy by letting merge the monastic tradition of the earlier Kadampa and the yogi tradition of Indian masters.

Schools of the Kagyu tradition

The schools of the Kagyu tradition share traditionally focused on the "big four " and " eight small " Kagyu schools. But there are still more of the Kagyu school of thought related lines, and branch lines that have emerged from the Kagyu Traditions.

The four major Kagyu schools:

Gampopa Dagpo Lhaje had four main disciples who founded the four schools in the subsequent period. These schools include:

The eight small Kagyu schools:

From Gampopa's disciple Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyelpo (1110-1170) go eight more, from the so-called "small" Kagyu schools. They are indeed historically referred to as "small" schools, some of them have since been but significant than some of the great Kagyu schools. The eight small Kagyu schools are:

Of these Kagyu lineages only a few have survived as independent schools.

Other schools in the context of the Kagyu tradition:

• From Rechungpa, next to the main disciple of Milarepa, Gampopa, comes from an independent, strongly oriented yogic lineage within the Kagyu school tradition.

• Shangpa Kagyu (Tib.: Shang pa bka ' brgyud ): is the name of another line that is near the Kagyu tradition of Marpa in their teachings. This school is but rather emerged in its origins independently from the transfer of Marpa. Today only exists as part of other schools.

• Dagpo Kagyu (Tib.: dwags po bka ' brgyud ): on the one used as a collective term for the four major Kagyu schools, on the other hand refers to " Dagpo Kagyu " a well- autonomous only in parts of line and an uncle of the nephew of Gampopa emanates.

Teaching

The main transmission of the Kagyu schools is the doctrine of Mahamudra, which was transmitted from Naropa to Marpa and presented by Gampopa in different plants. The so-called "Six Yogas of Naropa " which can be found in almost all school traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu schools have great significance. Important tantric practices that will pass in the Kagyu schools are the yidam practice on Chakrasamvara, Hevajra and Vajravarahi.

Rime

In the 19th century originated among a native of the Kagyu master Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye and other so-called " Rime movement ," the cross-group lessons from all areas of Tibet and collected by masters of all traditions.

Dissemination

In 1958, the Kagyu school had 103 monasteries and about 9600 monks. The end of 1995 there were 105 monasteries and 3643 monks.

In addition to the original Tibeto -Mongolian habitat Kagyu schools are also in Europe and America, and parts of northern Asia to find. In Europe, some schools of the Kagyu tradition are also found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.