Buddhist History & Kagyü Lineage

B U D D H I S T
H I S T O R Y

Life of Buddha Sakyamuni
Spread of Buddhism
Buddhism in Tibet

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K A R M A K A G Y Ü
L I N E A G E

The Karma Kagyu Lineage
Tilopa
Naropa
Marpa
Milarepa
Gampopa
The Kagyu Schools
The Karmapas
The Shamarpas

The Karmapas

The Gyalwa Karmapa is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu lineage. The Karmapa represents the oldest line of reincarnated Tibetan Buddhist masters, dating to the 12th century. The current Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje, is the 17th Karmapa.

You can learn more about the Karmapa lineage from the following sites:

Karmapa.org:
http://www.karmapa.org/history/the_karmapas/index_karmapa.htm

Dhakpo Kagyu Mandala:
http://www.dhagpo-kagyu.org/anglais/gksh-ang/karmapa_general.htm