Milarepa

Buddhism was known in Tibet as early as the 6th century A.D. There are four main schools of Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet and they are the Nyingmapa, the Sakyapa, the Kadampa (later absorded into the Gelugpa) and Kagyudpa. All these schools share the basic teachings of the Buddha and have the same objective. The difference between them are both historical, as they each stem from a different saintly founder, and practical, as the techniques of each school are variously suited to different types of beings seeking Enlightenment.

The Kagyupa School is particularly known for its emphasis on meditation practice, rather than intellectual study and for the strength of the Guru-disciple relationship which can bring ordinary beings to Enlightenment in one lifetime.

The Kagyu lineage, originated with the great yogi Tilopa who lived in Northern india sometime around the 10th century A.D. Tilopa received the four special transmissions (T:bka-babs-bzhi) and mastered them. Although there is some discrepancy in historical sources regarding the identities of the masters associated with each of the four transmissions the most common consensus indicates that their sources are as follows :

The first of the four came from Nagarjuna and consists of two tantras, the 'Sangwa Dupa Tantra' (Skt. Guhyasamaya) and the "Denshi Tantra". It also incorporates the practices called 'Illusory Body' (T: sgyu-lus) and '(T: pho-ba).

The second special transmission came from Nakpopa and includes the tantra called 'Gyuma Chenmo' (Skt: Mahamaya) and the practice called 'Conscious Dreaming' (T: rmi-lam).

The third special transmission came from Lawapa. It includes the 'Demchok Tantra' and the practice of 'Clear Light' (T: od-gsal).

The fourth was transmitted from Khandra Kalpa Zangmo and includes the tantra known as 'Gyepa Dorje' (Skt: Hevajra), and the practice called 'Tummo'.

Naropa

These teachings were passed on from Tilopa to Naropa, and were systematized as the Six Yogas of Naropa that are considered a central theme in the Kagyu Lineage.

Marpa

Naropa transmitted his knowledge to Marpa, the great translator who journeyed from Tibet to India in order to receive instructions and who subsequently returned to Tibet and spread the teachings of the Dharma.

Milarepa

His student Milarepa, became one of the Tibet's great yogis. Through perseverance in the practice of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa, he achieved profound realization of the ultimate nature of reality.

Gampopa

Milarepa's transmission was carried on by Gampopa, the physician from Dagpo. He studied the Kadampa traditions, which is a gradual path that includes what is called the Lam Rim teachings. He also met Milarepa, and attained realization of ultimate reality under his guidance . He established monastic institutions, taught extensively and attracted many students.

Four of his disciples founded the four major Kagyu schools :
Babrom Kagyu founded by Babrom Dharma Wangchuk
Pagdru Kagyu founded by Phagmo Trupa Dorje Gyalpo
Tsalpa Kagyu founded by Shang Tsalpa Tsondru Drag
Kamtsang Kagyu, also known as the Karma Kagyu School founded by Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa.

1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa

It was the first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, who received the complete Mahamudra transmission from Gampopa.

The eight minor Kagyu lineages originated disciples. These eight lineages are :
Taglung Kagyu
Trophu Kagyu
Drukpa Kagyu
Martsang Kagyu
Yerpa Kagyu
Yazang Kagyu
Shugseb Kagyu
Drikung Kagyu

The different Kagyu lineages are not referred to as major and minor in terms of the instructions they contain, they are equal in that respect . The four major lineages are known as major in that they originate with Gampopa himself, whereas the eight minor lineages originate with a later generation of masters. Nowadays, among the four major Kagyu lineages only the Karma Kagyu remains prevalent. Among the eight minor Kagyu lineages only the Taglung, Drukpa and Drikung Kagyu still exist as independent lineages.

One can distinguish several transmission within each lineage. However, all major buddhist traditions in Tibet have a lineage of the Pratimoksha-vows and a lineage of the Bodhisatvva-vows.