Kagyü

Kagyü (Tib. bka' brgyud) - one of the four main traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. The most important source of the Kagyü lineage is traced back to the great Indian yogi Tilopa (988-1069) and one of his main disciples Naropa (1016-110).

Subschools

Four major schools of the Dagpo Kagyü

• Karma Kagyü, also known as Kamtsang Kagyü, founded by Düsum Khyenpa (Dus-gsum Mkhyen-pa), later designated the first Karmapa
• Barom Kagyü, founded by Barompa Darma Wangchug
• Tsalpa Kagyü, founded by Zangyu Dragpa Darma Drag (Zhang Rinpoche)
• Pagdru Kagyü, founded by Pakmodrubpa Dorje Gyalpo, splintered into eight subschools as follows:

Eight Pagdru Kagyü sub-schools

• Drikung Kagyü, included the Lhapa sect, builders of the earliest dzongs in Bhutan, later eclipsed by the Drukpa
• Drukpa Kagyü
• Mar Kagyü
• Shugseb Kagyü
• Taklung Kagyü
• Trophu Kagyü
• Yamzang Kagyü
• Yelpa Kagyü