Kagyu facts for kids

The Kagyu (say "Kah-gyoo") school is one of the four main types of Tibetan Buddhism. It's like a special family or lineage of teachings that has been passed down from teacher to student for many centuries.

The Kagyu Story: From India to Tibet

The Kagyu teachings began in India with two very wise teachers called Tilopa and his student Naropa. Later, Naropa's student, Marpa Lowatsawa, brought these teachings to Tibet. He is often called the founder of the Kagyu school in Tibet.

The first monk of the Kagyu school was Gampopa. His students started many monasteries, which led to different sub-schools or branches. At one time, there were more than twelve different branches! Today, there are four main Kagyu sub-schools:

Karma Kagyu: The Black Hat Lineage

The Karma Kagyu school was started by one of Gampopa’s main students, Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa (who lived from 1110 to 1193). The main leaders of this lineage are called the Karmapas. Followers of this school believe that each Karmapa is a new incarnation (or Tulku) of the first Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa. This means they believe the same spiritual leader is reborn again and again to continue the teachings.

Drikung Kagyu: Founded in 1179

The Drikung Kagyu school was started in 1179 by a teacher named Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön. This school is led by two important lamas, who are known as Drikung Chetsang and Drikung Chungtsang.

Drukpa Kagyu: The Dragon Lineage

The Drukpa Kagyu school was started by the saint Tsangpa Gyare (who lived from 1161 to 1211). Today, this school has two main branches:

Northern Drukpa Kagyu: In Tibet

This branch is also called the Drukpa lineage of Tibet. It is led by a lama known as the Gyalwang Drukchen Rinpoche. Followers believe he is an incarnation of Tsangpa Gyare.

Southern Drukpa Kagyu: In Bhutan

This branch was started in Bhutan by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (who lived from 1594 to 1651). It is the main type of Buddhism in Bhutan. The leader of this school is a lama called the Je Khenpo.

Even though these schools have different leaders and histories, the main teachings they follow are very similar. They all come from the same original Kagyu teachings passed down from Gampopa.

Kagyu Teachings: Faith and Meditation

The Kagyu school usually focuses a lot on having faith in your spiritual teacher (called a Lama) and on practicing meditation. They teach that without this faith, it's hard to get the full benefits from meditation. However, some basic study is also important.

One of the most important books in this tradition is The Jewel Ornament of Liberation. It was written by Gampopa. This book explains all the main teachings of Mahayana Buddhism step-by-step. It teaches about many important ideas, such as:

• How all living beings have a special, enlightened Buddha nature inside them.
• Why it's important to rely on a spiritual teacher to discover this Buddha nature.
• How to think about the precious chance we have with our short human life.
• How to understand the problems or suffering in the world.
• How our actions have consequences (cause and effect).
• How to develop loving-kindness and compassion for others.
• The importance of taking refuge in the Buddha, his teachings, and the community of spiritual people.
• Why it's important to follow Buddhist rules and promises.
• How to develop an enlightened attitude, which means having great compassion for everyone.
• How to practice the "six perfections": being generous, having good morals, being patient, working hard, focusing your mind, and being aware.
• A description of the ten stages of spiritual growth that come from these practices.
• A description of the final goal: becoming a fully awakened Buddha.

The life stories and spiritual poems or songs of Kagyu saints are also very popular. Two famous books are The Life of Milarepa and 100,000 Songs of Milarepa.

Advanced Meditation Practices

The special advanced meditation practices in the Kagyu tradition include two main teachings:

• The six yogas (or six doctrines) of Naropa.
• The Mahamudra (or Great Seal) teachings.

Six Yogas of Naropa

The six yogas of Naropa involve complex ways of imagining things in your mind, combined with yoga and breathing exercises. These practices are usually done by monks and nuns who live in strict seclusion for at least three years. They are called the six yogas because they were first taught by Naropa and include six main practices.

Mahamudra Meditation

The Mahamudra meditation teachings are about concentration and awareness. They help a person understand the true nature of their own mind. To learn Mahamudra meditation, a student must get instructions directly from a master of this tradition.

Images for kids

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  Lotsawa Marpa Chokyi Lodro

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  Milarepa

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  Gampopa

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  Kagyu lineage tree, the boxes in red designate surviving independent traditions.

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  Karma Kagyu refuge tree (note the black hats of the Karmapas)

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  Phagmodrupa with His Previous Incarnations and Episodes from His Life, 14th-century painting from the Rubin Museum of Art

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  Drikung Kagyu Lineage Tree

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  Tsangpa Gyare (1161–1211)

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  Tibetan Thanka Painting of Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal

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  A section of the Northern wall mural at the Lukhang Temple depicting both Tummo (Skt. Candali) and Phowa (transference of consciousness), two of the Six Dharmas of Naropa

See also

In Spanish: Kagyu para niños