THE TERM "Kagyu" refers to a phrase, which translates as "the Unbroken Lineage of Profound and Intimate Guidance in the Four Means of Transmitted Mastery". This refers to four unique lineages of teaching. More commonly though, it is referred to as the "Practice Lineage". "Karma Kagyu" refers to the lineage of Kagyu teachings inherited by the Gyalwang Karmapas from Je Gampopa. Gampopa was a renowned physician and spiritual master of the Kadampa School who went on to become the foremost disciple of Jetsun Milarepa. He combined the monastic tradition of the Kadampas and Lam.rim (the Graduated Path to Enlightenment) with the yogic teachings of Mahamudra (the Great Seal) and the Six Yogas of Naropa he received from Milarepa.
This transmission was then passed on to his four main disciples, the foremost of whom was Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193). On his attainment of Buddhahood, Dusum Khyenpa was recognised by his contemporaries as an emanation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Tibetan: Chenrezig) and of the Buddha Activity Manifestation (Karmapa) prophesied by the Buddha in the Samadhirajasutra. Before his death, Dusum Khyenpa predicted in a letter the details and circumstances of his next incarnation. The second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1206-1283), was born precisely as predicted and became the first incarnate lama of Tibet. In much the same way, the details and circumstances of the birth of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa were predicted in a letter by his predecessor the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1923-1981). |
