The Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism

The principle of ‘oral transmission’ implies a genuine privileged relationship between master (guru) and disciple.

It took about 1500 years for these teachings to reach a great scholar called Marpa, who received teachings from Naropa, one of the main disciples of the great Tilopa.

Tilopa had been taught by Buddha Vajradhara, and amongst others, received the Mahamudra teaching which characterises the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Marpa .. also known as the Translator .. was born in Southern Tibet, and studied Sanskrit and Buddhism in India before translating the texts into Tibetan and teaching various disciples, including Milarepa.

Milarepa in turn taught Gampopa, who became the teacher of the First Gyalwa Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193).

At Rokpa Glasgow, we follow this transmission and presently have the 17th Karmapa, Urgyen Trinley Dorje, as head of our lineage.

The founder of the Rokpa organisation is Dr Akong Tulku Rinpoche, who with his brother Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, Abbot and Retreat Master of Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre, guides our practices here in Glasgow.

Read more about the 17th Karmapa and the Kagyu Lineage?