Unbroken Lineage
Tilopa (988–1069)
Sanskrit: Tilopā
Tilopa was a great Indian mahāsiddha and the founder of the Kagyu lineage. He received direct transmissions from the wisdom ḍākinīs and great masters such as Nāgārjuna and Saraha, and realized the essence of Mahamudra — the true nature of mind. Tilopa transmitted this complete realization to his disciple Nāropa through the “Six Dharmas of Nāropa” and profound experiential instructions.
Nāropa (1016–1100)
Sanskrit: Nāropā
Nāropa was a renowned scholar and abbot of Nalanda University before meeting his guru Tilopa. Under Tilopa’s guidance, he gave up his intellectual pride and attained full realization through arduous practice. His deep experiences became the foundation of the Six Dharmas of Nāropa, a central meditative system in the Kagyu lineage.
(1012–1097)
Tibetan: Mar pa lo tsā ba Chos kyi blo gros
Marpa, known as Marpa the Translator, journeyed from Tibet to India three times to receive teachings from Nāropa and other great siddhas. He translated many essential Buddhist scriptures and tantric texts into Tibetan, bringing the full transmission of Mahamudra and Vajrayāna practice to Tibet. Marpa is revered as the Tibetan founder of the Kagyu lineage.
Jetsün Milarepa (1040–1123)
Tibetan: Rje btsun Mi la ras pa
Jetsün Milarepa, Tibet’s most beloved yogi and poet, attained complete enlightenment in one lifetime through intense meditation, ascetic practice, and devotion to his guru Marpa. His Songs of Realization (Dohas) express profound insight into the nature of mind and compassion, and continue to inspire practitioners worldwide.
Tibetan: Sgam po pa Bsod nams rin chen
Gampopa, originally a Kadampa monk and physician, became the foremost disciple of Jetsün Milarepa. He integrated the Kadampa monastic discipline with the profound Mahamudra teachings, shaping the monastic and contemplative structure of the Kagyu school. Gampopa founded Daklha Gampo Monastery and composed the classic text The Jewel Ornament of Liberation.
Phagmo Drupa
Dorje Gyalpo (1110–1170)
Tibetan: Phag mo gru pa Rdo rje rgyal po
Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo was one of Gampopa’s main disciples and a realized master who founded the Phagdru Kagyu lineage. His teachings emphasized simplicity, meditation, and direct realization of the nature of mind. Many Kagyu sub-lineages, including Drikung Kagyu, trace their origin through him.
Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön Rinchen Pel
(1143–1217)
Tibetan: Skyob pa ’Jig rten gsum mgon Rin chen dpal
Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön, founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage, was a direct disciple of Phagmo Drupa. Known for his profound wisdom, vast compassion, and miraculous activity, he established Drikung Thil Monastery in central Tibet. His teachings — particularly The Fivefold Path of Mahamudra and The Sixfold Union of Samaya — form the heart of Drikung Kagyu practice, an unbroken lineage continuing to this day.