Karma Kagyu

Thangka of the Karma Kagyu refuge tree with the lineage holders (source website has links with further information on the persons depicted.)

The Karma Kagyü School ( Tibetan ཀརྨ་ བཀའ་ བརྒྱུད་ Wylie kar ma bka 'brgyud ; also: Kamtshang-Kagyü , Tib .: kam tshang bka' brgyud ) is one of the four large schools of the Kagyü school direction ( Barom- , Karma-, Phagdru- and Tshelpa-Kagyu ) of Tibetan Buddhism , which in turn is divided into four main schools ( Nyingma , Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug ).

The first Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa

Transmission line

The Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism ( Vajrayana ) is one of the many teachings that emerged from the lineage of the Kagyu School of Marpa the Translator (1012-1097). He traveled three times to India to receive valuable teachings of the oral transmission (Tib. Kagyu) from the Indian Mahasiddha (great realized) Naropa (1016-1100), a holder of the Mahamudra teachings. In the 13th century - as a kind of spiritual succession - the system of Trülkus , the conscious rebirth, was introduced by the Karma Kagyu school. The lineage of this school begins with the first Gyalwa Karmapa Düsum Khyenpa , a disciple of Gampopa . Düsum Khyenpa prophesied before his death where he would accept rebirth. This is how Tibet's first line of reincarnation, that of the Karmapas, came about. This system continues to this day. Conscious incarnations of lamas existed before the time of Karma Pakshi, but the Gyelwa Karmapas announced their rebirths in letters, poems or the like. From the perspective of the Karma-Kagyu, Karmapa's coming was already announced at the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni . Even before his appearance as Gyelwa Karmapa, there are said to have been incarnations of the Karmapa as Saraha or as Guru Chöwang , one of the 25 most important disciples of Guru Rinpoche . Further important representatives of the Karma-Kagyu are the Shamarpa , the Tai Situpa , the Jamgön Kongtrül , the Tshurphu Gyeltshab Rinpoche , and the Nenang Pawo Rinpoche .

Branch line of the Karma Kagyu school

• Surmang Kagyu

The Surmang Kagyu branch of the Karma Kagyu was founded in the 14th century by Mase Togden Lodrö Rinchen (1386–?), A disciple of the fifth Karmapa Deshin Shegpa . Members of the Surmang Kagyu are u. a. the Drungpa Trulkus (see also Chögyam Drungpa ).

Historical and political role

Statue of the second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi

In the 17th century, Desi Karma Tenkyong Wangpo , a follower of the Karma-Kagyu, occupied some Gelug monasteries in the Tibetan province of Tsang , triggering the conflict in Tsang . There was a military conflict with the Mongols under the leadership of Gushri Khan , who were allied with the fifth Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang Gyatsho . Since the Gelugpa ministers did not believe the tenth Karmapa, Chöying Dorje , who tried to prevent the fighting and repeatedly distanced himself from the attacks, they attacked his camp and drove him out. Some Karma Kagyu monasteries in the politically important central province around Lhasa were converted into Gelug monasteries and the Dalai Lama was appointed King of Tibet by the Mongols. The Karmapa traveled to Targye Gang Monastery in Jyang and prevented the local king from attacking the Mongols in central Tibet, even though he had already amassed a large army and made a vow that in case of victory he would make the Karmapa ruler of Tibet.

Llamas

There is a conflict over who is the 17th Karmapa . After the death of the 16th Karmapa in 1981, two possible candidates were found and enthroned a few years later.

Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje following:

• Shamar Rinpoche
• Jigme Rinpoche
• Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche
• Gendun Rinpoche
• Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche
• Ole Nydahl

Karmapa Orgyen Thrinle Dorje following:

• Akong Rinpoche
• Tshurphu Gyeltshab Rinpoche
• Pema Chödrön
• Situ Rinpoche

Other:

• Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
• Jamgön Kongtrül Rinpoche

See also

• Diamond way
• Nedo-Kagyu

literature

• Gelongma Lama Palmo The Himalayas and Beyond - Karma Kagyu Buddhism in India and Nepal , Foreword by HH Dalai Lama, Palpung Yeshe Chökhor Ling Europe, 2009, ISBN 978-3-200-01476-3

Web links

• Dhagpo Kagyu Mandala
• Kamalashila Institute
• Karma Kagyü Association Germany eV
• Karma Kagyu Sangha - Vienna
• Karma Kagyu Austria
• Karma Kagyu - Critical Information
• Nalandabodhi Vienna
• Karma-Kagyu Munster
• Karma Kagyü Foundation Remetschwiel
• Seminar house Karma Gyurme Ling
• Diamond Way Buddhism Worldwide

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from April 2, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
2. ↑ http://tibetisch-geschichte.weebly.com/