This text is a concise and in-depth teaching on one of the four main Buddhist traditions of Tibet, the Kagyu Lineage. It presents the story of the great figures of this tradition – from Tilopa in ancient India down to the present Karmapa, Urgyen Trinley Dorje. Along with this history are clear explanations of the nature of lineage and the place of the Kagyu tradition in Buddhist history. As the story unfolds, we get a glimpse of the extraordinary enlightened beings who have preserved and transmitted the teachings and realization of the Buddha in an unbroken way into our present time.

Of particular interest will be Bardo Tulku Rinpoche's stories and explanations about the 17 Karmapas, who are considered embodiments of the profound and compassionate activities of the Buddha.

Venerable Bardor Tulku Rinpoche is a resident lama at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery (KTD) in Woodstock, New York. KTD is the North American seat of His Holiness Urgyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Bardor Rinpoche was recognized as a tulku (reincarnate lama) by His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, and trained at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, India. Rinpoche has been instrumental in the building and development of KTD, and an active teacher of Buddhism for many years.

General Buddhism/Kagyu