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THE KARMA KAGYU LINEAGE
The forefathers in the Kagyu lineage are known
as the "Golden Rosary." The lineage of the
Kagyu emphasizes the continuity of oral
instructions passed on from master to student.
This emphasis is reflected in the literal meaning
of "Kagyu." The first syllable "Ka" refers to the
scriptures of the Buddha and the oral
instructions of the guru. "Ka" has the sense both
of the enlightened meaning conveyed by the
words of the teacher, as well as the force that
such words of insight carries. The second
syllable "gyu" means lineage. Together, these
syllables mean "the lineage of the oral
instructions."
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The Karma Kagyu Lineage tree
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THE KAGYU SCHOOL OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM
The most important source of the Kagyu order is traced back to the great Indian yogi
Tilopa (988-1069), one of the 84 mahasiddhas of India, who first developed the
spontaneous insight. He gained this realization through the methods that were taught
by the historical Buddha Shakyamuni to his closest students, methods that continued
to be practiced during the time of Tilopa. In turn, the realization or these masters was
passed down to their disciples through the great forefathers of the lineage: Indian
mahasiddha Naropa, Marpa-the great translator (1012-1097), Milarepa-the greatest
yogi of Tibet, and then to Gampopa-whose coming was prophesied by the Buddha.
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