Taklung Kagyu
Encyclopedia
The Taklung Kagyu is a sub-sect of the Kagyu
school of Tibetan Buddhism
.
was founded by the Dharma Lord Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal
in 1180 AD. He was the first lineage
holder of this tradition. This is an unbroken lineage
, directly passed down from the Buddha Vajradhara
to the contemporary masters of the order.
Taklung Kagyu tradition is rich in the practice of every aspect of the Buddha Dharma, namely the Mahamudra
and Kadampa
traditions, and combines the tantric
and sutric system of practice.
Henceforth, this unique tradition was passed down from guru to disciple. There have already been 33 lineage
holders, up to the current lineage holders who are His Holiness Taklung Shabdrung Rinpoche and His Holiness Taklung Ma Rinpoche
.
The main seat of Taklung Kagyu is located in the northern part of Tibet
in a place called Taklung. In the 13th century, Choejey Sangye Won, the fourth lineage
holder, established a monastery in eastern Tibet in a place called Riwoche Monastery
. This tradition later came to be known as Marthang Taklung. Eventually, Taklung Kagyu spread throughout Tibet
, parts of Mongolia
, China
and even India
.
There are two branches of the Taklung: the upper in the Lhasa area, and the lower, based out of Riwoche Taklung Monastery at kham
in eastern Tibet
.
brought with him the Kagyu
tradition from India
, after accomplishing his training with his main teacher Mahasiddha Naropa
. This happened during the emergence of the new tantric
system of Buddhism
in Tibet
, among which the Kagyu
is one.
Lhodrak Marpa
the great translator was the main disciple of Mahasiddha Naropa
, who in turn was the disciple of Mahasiddha Tilopa
, who received the transmission directly from Vajradhara
and Vajrayogini appearing before him in person.
Lhodrak Marpa
Choeki Lodro's main disciple was Jetsun Milarepa
, who is one of the most famous yogis in Tibetan history. Milarepa
transmitted this lineage to the matchless master Gampopa
who was already a prominent teacher of the Kadampa
school before he met Jetsun Milarepa
.
The matchless master Gampopa
transmitted it to Dogon Phagmo Drupa
who was also a Kadampa
master himself. Then the Dharma Lord Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal
who was also a Kadampa
master met Dogon Phagmo Drupa
and became his main disciple.
It was Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal
who founded the Taklung Kagyu tradition.
Kagyu
The Kagyu, Kagyupa, or Kagyud school, also known as the "Oral Lineage" or Whispered Transmission school, is today regarded as one of six main schools of Himalayan or Tibetan Buddhism, the other five being the Nyingma, Sakya, Jonang, Bon and Gelug...
school of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
.
History
The Taklung Kagyu school of Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
was founded by the Dharma Lord Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal
Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal
Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal is the Founder of the Taklung Kagyu lineage.The Taklung Kagyu lineage remains unbroken to this day.Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal founded the Taklung Yarthang Monastery....
in 1180 AD. He was the first lineage
Lineage (Buddhism)
An authentic lineage in Buddhism is the uninterrupted transmission of the Buddha's Dharma from teacher to disciple.The transmission itself can be for example oral, scriptural, through signs, or directly from one mind to another....
holder of this tradition. This is an unbroken lineage
Lineage (Buddhism)
An authentic lineage in Buddhism is the uninterrupted transmission of the Buddha's Dharma from teacher to disciple.The transmission itself can be for example oral, scriptural, through signs, or directly from one mind to another....
, directly passed down from the Buddha Vajradhara
Vajradhara
Vajradhara is the ultimate primordial Buddha, or Adi Buddha, according to the Gelug and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism.In the evolution of Indian Buddhism, Vajradhara gradually displaced Samantabhadra, who remains the...
to the contemporary masters of the order.
Taklung Kagyu tradition is rich in the practice of every aspect of the Buddha Dharma, namely the Mahamudra
Mahamudra
Mahāmudrā literally means "great seal" or "great symbol." It "is a multivalent term of great importance in later Indian Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism" which "also occurs occasionally in Hindu and East Asian Buddhist esotericism."The name refers to the way one who...
and Kadampa
Kadampa
The Kadampa tradition was a Tibetan Mahayana Buddhist school. Dromtönpa, a Tibetan lay master and the foremost disciple of the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha , founded it and passed three lineages to his disciples. The Kadampa were quite famous and respected for their proper and earnest...
traditions, and combines the tantric
Vajrayana
Vajrayāna Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Vehicle...
and sutric system of practice.
Henceforth, this unique tradition was passed down from guru to disciple. There have already been 33 lineage
Lineage (Buddhism)
An authentic lineage in Buddhism is the uninterrupted transmission of the Buddha's Dharma from teacher to disciple.The transmission itself can be for example oral, scriptural, through signs, or directly from one mind to another....
holders, up to the current lineage holders who are His Holiness Taklung Shabdrung Rinpoche and His Holiness Taklung Ma Rinpoche
Taklung Ma Rinpoche
Tenzin Kunzang Jigme Rinpoche, the seventh H.H. Taklung Ma Rinpoche was born in 1977 to Ngawang Tendar and Deden Zangmo.In 1987, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama formally recognized him as the reincarnation of the sixth H.H. Taklung Matul Thupten Jigme Choechog Rinpoche. He spent a few years in...
.
The main seat of Taklung Kagyu is located in the northern part of Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
in a place called Taklung. In the 13th century, Choejey Sangye Won, the fourth lineage
Lineage (Buddhism)
An authentic lineage in Buddhism is the uninterrupted transmission of the Buddha's Dharma from teacher to disciple.The transmission itself can be for example oral, scriptural, through signs, or directly from one mind to another....
holder, established a monastery in eastern Tibet in a place called Riwoche Monastery
Riwoche Monastery
Riwoche Monastery, Riwoche Tsuklakhang Tragyelma is situated 29 km north of the small town of Ratsaka , and 134 km west of Chamdo in Kham...
. This tradition later came to be known as Marthang Taklung. Eventually, Taklung Kagyu spread throughout Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
, parts of Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and even India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
There are two branches of the Taklung: the upper in the Lhasa area, and the lower, based out of Riwoche Taklung Monastery at kham
Kham
Kham , is a historical region covering a land area largely divided between present-day Tibetan Autonomous Region and Sichuan province, with smaller portions located within Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan provinces of China. During the Republic of China's rule over mainland China , most of the region was...
in eastern Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
.
Lineage
The great translator Lhodrak MarpaMarpa Lotsawa
Marpa Lotsawa , sometimes known fully as Lhodak Marpa Choski Lodos or commonly as Marpa the Translator, was a Tibetan Buddhist teacher credited with the transmission of many Buddhist teachings to Tibet from India, including the teachings and lineages of Vajrayana and Mahamudra.-Biography:Born as...
brought with him the Kagyu
Kagyu
The Kagyu, Kagyupa, or Kagyud school, also known as the "Oral Lineage" or Whispered Transmission school, is today regarded as one of six main schools of Himalayan or Tibetan Buddhism, the other five being the Nyingma, Sakya, Jonang, Bon and Gelug...
tradition from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, after accomplishing his training with his main teacher Mahasiddha Naropa
Naropa
thumb|right|NaropaNāropā was an Indian Buddhist yogi, mystic and monk. He was the disciple of Tilopa and brother, or some sources say partner and pupil, of Niguma. Naropa was the main teacher of Marpa, the founder of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism...
. This happened during the emergence of the new tantric
Vajrayana
Vajrayāna Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Vehicle...
system of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
in Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
, among which the Kagyu
Kagyu
The Kagyu, Kagyupa, or Kagyud school, also known as the "Oral Lineage" or Whispered Transmission school, is today regarded as one of six main schools of Himalayan or Tibetan Buddhism, the other five being the Nyingma, Sakya, Jonang, Bon and Gelug...
is one.
Lhodrak Marpa
Marpa Lotsawa
Marpa Lotsawa , sometimes known fully as Lhodak Marpa Choski Lodos or commonly as Marpa the Translator, was a Tibetan Buddhist teacher credited with the transmission of many Buddhist teachings to Tibet from India, including the teachings and lineages of Vajrayana and Mahamudra.-Biography:Born as...
the great translator was the main disciple of Mahasiddha Naropa
Naropa
thumb|right|NaropaNāropā was an Indian Buddhist yogi, mystic and monk. He was the disciple of Tilopa and brother, or some sources say partner and pupil, of Niguma. Naropa was the main teacher of Marpa, the founder of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism...
, who in turn was the disciple of Mahasiddha Tilopa
Tilopa
Tilopa was born in either Chativavo , Bengal or Jagora, Bengal in India. He was a tantric practitioner and mahasiddha. He developed the mahamudra method, a set of spiritual practices that greatly accelerates the process of attaining bodhi...
, who received the transmission directly from Vajradhara
Vajradhara
Vajradhara is the ultimate primordial Buddha, or Adi Buddha, according to the Gelug and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism.In the evolution of Indian Buddhism, Vajradhara gradually displaced Samantabhadra, who remains the...
and Vajrayogini appearing before him in person.
Lhodrak Marpa
Marpa Lotsawa
Marpa Lotsawa , sometimes known fully as Lhodak Marpa Choski Lodos or commonly as Marpa the Translator, was a Tibetan Buddhist teacher credited with the transmission of many Buddhist teachings to Tibet from India, including the teachings and lineages of Vajrayana and Mahamudra.-Biography:Born as...
Choeki Lodro's main disciple was Jetsun Milarepa
Milarepa
Jetsun Milarepa , is generally considered one of Tibet's most famous yogis and poets. He was a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and a major figure in the history of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.- Life :...
, who is one of the most famous yogis in Tibetan history. Milarepa
Milarepa
Jetsun Milarepa , is generally considered one of Tibet's most famous yogis and poets. He was a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and a major figure in the history of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.- Life :...
transmitted this lineage to the matchless master Gampopa
Gampopa
Gampopa Sonam Rinchen "Sonam Rinchen from Gampo" — who was equally well known in Tibet as Dagpo Lhaje , Nyamed Dakpo Rinpoche , and Da'od Zhonnu , — establishedthe Kagyu school, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism today, as an...
who was already a prominent teacher of the Kadampa
Kadampa
The Kadampa tradition was a Tibetan Mahayana Buddhist school. Dromtönpa, a Tibetan lay master and the foremost disciple of the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha , founded it and passed three lineages to his disciples. The Kadampa were quite famous and respected for their proper and earnest...
school before he met Jetsun Milarepa
Milarepa
Jetsun Milarepa , is generally considered one of Tibet's most famous yogis and poets. He was a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and a major figure in the history of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.- Life :...
.
The matchless master Gampopa
Gampopa
Gampopa Sonam Rinchen "Sonam Rinchen from Gampo" — who was equally well known in Tibet as Dagpo Lhaje , Nyamed Dakpo Rinpoche , and Da'od Zhonnu , — establishedthe Kagyu school, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism today, as an...
transmitted it to Dogon Phagmo Drupa
Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo
Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo [1110-1170], was one the three main disciples of Gampopa Sonam Rinchen who established the Dagpo Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism; and a disciple of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo [1092-1158] one of the founders of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism...
who was also a Kadampa
Kadampa
The Kadampa tradition was a Tibetan Mahayana Buddhist school. Dromtönpa, a Tibetan lay master and the foremost disciple of the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha , founded it and passed three lineages to his disciples. The Kadampa were quite famous and respected for their proper and earnest...
master himself. Then the Dharma Lord Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal
Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal
Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal is the Founder of the Taklung Kagyu lineage.The Taklung Kagyu lineage remains unbroken to this day.Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal founded the Taklung Yarthang Monastery....
who was also a Kadampa
Kadampa
The Kadampa tradition was a Tibetan Mahayana Buddhist school. Dromtönpa, a Tibetan lay master and the foremost disciple of the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha , founded it and passed three lineages to his disciples. The Kadampa were quite famous and respected for their proper and earnest...
master met Dogon Phagmo Drupa
Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo
Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo [1110-1170], was one the three main disciples of Gampopa Sonam Rinchen who established the Dagpo Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism; and a disciple of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo [1092-1158] one of the founders of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism...
and became his main disciple.
It was Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal
Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal
Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal is the Founder of the Taklung Kagyu lineage.The Taklung Kagyu lineage remains unbroken to this day.Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal founded the Taklung Yarthang Monastery....
who founded the Taklung Kagyu tradition.
Sources
- Pal taklung kagyupe denrab lodru dordu su jodpa chushel karpö thengwa - Tenzin Kunga (translated: The brief history of Taklung Kagyu lineage called white crystal mala) (Tenzin Kunga is a scholar living in Dharamsala)