Scriptural Sources

 

The Kagyud Lineage and Its Canonical Sources

The primary sources for the Kagyud lineage are found in the Kangyur—“The Collection of the Translated Words of the Buddha”—and the Tengyur—“The Collection of the Commentaries by Indian Masters”. Additionally, the lineage relies on an extensive body of works by Kagyud masters, starting with the Indian Mahasiddhas such as Tilopa and Naropa, and continuing with Tibetan yogis like Marpa, Milarepa, Gampopa, the Karmapas, and many other luminaries of the Kagyud tradition.

Notable contributions include:

  • The works of Marpa.
  • The Vajra Songs of Milarepa.
  • The Collected Works of Gampopa, the Karmapas, Drikung Kyöpa Jigten Sumgön, Drukpa Künkhyen Padma Karpo, and many others.

The Karmapas played a vital role in preserving the Kagyud lineage through their writings and teachings. Notable examples include:

  • The First Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa (1110–1193).
  • The Second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1206–1282).
  • The Ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (1556–1603), who contributed extensively to meditation practices.
  • Scholarly works by the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje (1284–1339); the Seventh Karmapa, Chödrak Gyatso (1454–1506); and the Eighth Karmapa, Mikyö Dorje (1507–1554).
  • Artistic and poetic works of the Tenth Karmapa, Chöying Dorje (1604–1674).

In the 19th century, Jamgon Kongtrul the Great (1813–1899) compiled the "Treasury of Kagyud Mantraya," a foundational text for tantric instructions, empowerments, and sadhanas.

Practices of the Kagyud Lineage: Tantra and Mahamudra

The Kagyud lineage emphasizes key teachings from both the Sutra and Tantra traditions, focusing especially on the Vajrayana and Mahamudra paths. There are two primary paths:

1. The Path of Skillful Means (Tantra or Vajrayana)

This path is rich in methods and includes the Four Levels of Tantra:

  • Kriya Tantra (Action Tantra)
  • Charya Tantra (Performance Tantra)
  • Yoga Tantra (Meditative Practice Tantra)
  • Anuttarayoga Tantra (Supreme Yoga Tantra)

The Anuttarayoga Tantra is divided into:

  • Father Tantra
  • Mother Tantra
  • Non-Dual Tantra

The Kagyud lineage places particular emphasis on the Mother and Non-Dual Tantra, with two primary elements in practice:

  • Development Stage (Utpatti-krama): Visualization practices focusing on Tantric Yidams, such as Vajrayogini, Cakrasamvara, and Gyalwa Gyamtso.
  • Completion Stage (Sampanna-krama): Practices involving the energy channels (prana), energy pathways (nadi), and inner essence (bindu). The Six Dharmas of Naropa, known in the West as the Six Yogas of Naropa, are a key Completion Stage teaching.

2. The Path of Liberation (Mahamudra)

Mahamudra, or "The Great Seal," is the highest meditation training in the Kagyud lineage. Gampopa, a central figure in the tradition, systematized the Mahamudra teachings into three main approaches:

  • Sutra Mahamudra
  • Mantra Mahamudra
  • Essence Mahamudra

Mahamudra emphasizes realizing the nature of mind, often described as the "ordinary mind" or "vajra mind." It is regarded as the pinnacle of meditation training within the Kagyud tradition.

Integration of Tantra and Mahamudra

Both the tantric practices and Mahamudra teachings focus on the direct understanding and realization of the mind's nature. These two paths are central to all Kagyud schools but are particularly detailed in the Karma Kagyud lineage. While the approaches vary slightly among schools, the integration of Tantra and Mahamudra remains a defining feature of the Kagyud tradition.