The KarmaKagyu lineage is one of the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, known for its emphasis on meditation and direct transmission of teachings from master to student. It is part of the Kagyu school, which is one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism, alongside the Gelug, Sakya, and Nyingma. The KarmaKagyu was founded by Düsum Khyenpa, the 1st Karmapa Lama in the 12th century. It is also famously known as the "Black Hat" lineage, a reference to the Black Crown that is traditionally worn by the Karmapa, who is considered the head of the KarmaKagyu lineage and a reincarnate lama.
Central to the teachings of the KarmaKagyu is the practice of Mahamudra, a sophisticated system of meditation that aims to realize the nature of mind and achieve enlightenment. This practice was systematized and extensively taught by Gampopa, a foremost disciple of Milarepa, who is one of Tibet's most revered meditation masters. Mahamudra is often referred to as a non-dual practice, which emphasizes the ultimate unity of all phenomena and the emptiness of inherent existence beyond the mundane distinctions of everyday life. The teachings are traditionally passed down in an unbroken lineage from master to disciple, ensuring the purity and integrity of the transmission.
The KarmaKagyu lineage also places a strong emphasis on the practice of lojong (mind training) and the Six Yogas of Naropa. These teachings are crucial for developing compassion and wisdom through transformative meditation techniques that work with subtle energies of the body. These practices are designed to accelerate the process of achieving Bodhicitta, the mind of enlightenment, and ultimately, the state of Vajradhara, the primordial Buddha. The integration of these practices with Mahamudra forms a comprehensive path that is both profound and adaptable to various capacities of practitioners.
The current head of the KarmaKagyu lineage, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, continues to teach these traditional practices while also addressing contemporary issues such as environmental conservation, gender equality, and global peace. His approach reflects the dynamic nature of the KarmaKagyu lineage in adapting ancient Buddhist wisdom to modern-day challenges. Followers of the KarmaKagyu lineage engage in intensive meditation retreats and study, upholding the deep spiritual heritage and disciplined practice that defines the school. Through this rigorous training, they seek to cultivate not only personal realization but also the altruistic intention to benefit all sentient beings.
Mahamudra Lojong Vajradhara Bodhicitta DüsumKhyenpa