Lamayuru Monastery

The origin of Drikung Kagyu tradition

The lineage of Drikung Kagyu was founded by the great scholar and meditator Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon (1143-1217). This realized holder of the blessing lineage of Gampopa, Milarepa, and Marpa, mastered the profound Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa, practices that continue to be transmitted and practiced by all Drikung Kagyu lineage holders. The founder Jigten Sumgon was born to a noble family in eastern Tibet, the descendant of holy Tibetan kings. He mastered both the sutras and tantras, and had thousands of disciples. He authored numerous texts and gave many teachings, including the famed collection "One Thought" (Gong Chig).

Jigten Sumgon is believed to be a rebirth of Nagarjuna, the Indian scholar saint who lived during the second century CE. Jigten Sumgon established the Drikung Thil monastery, the main seat of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage, in 1179 CE. Since that time, the Drikung Kagyu Lineage has maintained a special position among the lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Drikung Kagyu tradition is one of the eight branches of the Kagyu Lineage that originated with the Indian master Tilopa (988-1069 CE). Tilopa transmitted the lineage teachings to Mahasiddha Naropa (1016-1100 CE) and he in turn transmitted the teachings to Marpa Lotsawa (1012-1096 CE), the great translator who made three arduous journeys across the Himalayas to India, studied with Naropa and other Indian masters, and brought the Kagyu teachings back to Tibet. Marpa then transmitted these instructions to his most famous disciple, the poet saint Jetsun Milarepa (1040-1123 CE). Milarepa transmitted the lineage teachings to Gampopa (1079-1153 CE). Gampopa, in turn, transmitted the teachings to Phagmo Drupa (1110-1170 CE), who was the teacher of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon.

As prophesied by Buddha Shakyamuni in the sutra called "The Prophesy of the Kagyus", the Kagyu lineage originates from the primordial Buddha Vajradhara. Vajradhara transmitted the precious teachings to Tilopa, who became the first human holder of the Kagyu Lineage. The Drikung Kagyu Lineage maintains an unbroken succession of realized masters that continues to the present day. Both the current 36th lineage holder Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche and the 37th lineage holder Kyabgon Chungtsang Rinpoche live in exile from Tibet.

Lamayuru monastery is the oldest Drikung Kagyu monastery in Ladakh. It was founded by yogi Nyimagung in 10th century and it became the seat of Mahasiddha Naropa (1016-1100), who meditated in the cave which is still preserved in the main temple (Dukhang) of the monastery. For centuries, Lamayuru monastery played the vital role of preserving and propagating the Drikung Kagyu teachings in Ladakh region. Lamayuru monastery has more than 50 branch monasteries in Ladakh and thousands of monks are studying and practicing the Drikung Kagyu tradition in these monasteries under the spiritual leadership of H.E. Bakula Rangdol Nyima Rinpoche, the current throne holder of Lamayuru Monastery.