Drikung Kagyu

Drikung Kagyü or Drigung Kagyü (Wylie: 'bri-gung bka'-brgyud) is one of the eight "minor" lineages of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. "Major" here refers to those Kagyü lineages founded by the immediate disciples of Gampopa (1079-1153), while "minor" refers to all the lineages founded by disciples of Gampopa's main disciple, Phagmo Drupa (1110-1170). One of these disciples, Jigten Sumgön (1143-1217), is the founder of Drikung.

History

Like with all other Kagyu lineages, origins of Drikung Kagyü can be traced back to the Great Indian Master Tilopa who passed on his teachings to Mahasiddha Naropa who lived around 10th and 11th century. The founder of the Drikung Kagyü lineage was Jigten Sumgön (1143-1217) of the Kyura clan, who was the disciple of Phagmo Drupa. According to historical account from the time, Jigten Sumgön's teachings attracted more than 100,000 people at a time, with the highest number of attendance recorded at 130,000.

Several sub-schools branched off from the Drikung Kagyü including the Lhapa or Lhanangpa Kagyü, founded by Nö Lhanangpa (, 1164–1224) who came to Bhutan in 1194. This school was at one time important in Western Bhutan, particularly in the Thimphu and Paro regions, where they were rivals of the Drukpa Kagyü. The Lhapa first came into conflict with the early Drukpa teacher, Phajo Drugom Zhigpo (b. 12th century)see: Dargye and Sørensen (2001) pp.ix–x, 34–36, 41–46 and finally with Ngawang Namgyal (1594–1651). In 1640 the remaining followers of the Lhapa Kagyü were expelled from Bhutan together with the Nenyingpa followers as both had sided with the attacking Tsangpa forces against the Drukpa during their three invasions of Bhutan and continued to refuse to acknowledge the authority of the Shabdrung.Dorje, Sangay and Kinga (2008) pp.146–7.

Teaching and practice The unique doctrines of Drikung Kagyü as taught by its founder, Jigten Sumgön is preserved in the "Single Intention" or "One Thought" (Gongchig, Wylie: dgongs gcig)For the Gongchig see the blog by Jan-Ulrich Sobisch (Copenhagen University) dgongs1.com. and "The Essence of Mahāyāna Teachings" (Wylie: theg chen bstan pa'i snying po). According to Jampa MacKenzie Stewart, the Gonchik "recasts Buddhism in a fascinating and innovative form, emphasizing each aspect as being capable of revealing the full process of enlightenment."Steward, Jampa MacKenzie (2004), The Life of Gampopa, Shambhala, p. 130.

The main practices of Drikung Kagyü are “The Five-fold Profound Path of Mahamudrā,” and “The Six Dharmas of Nāropa.” The five-fold Mahamudrā, also known as the "possessing five", consists of five elements:Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche (2009), The Practice of Mahamudra, Shambhala, pp. 11-12.

Setting the motivation, arousing bodhichitta, Deity yoga, generating the Yidam. The main deity in Drikung is Chakrasamvara (in union with consort Vajravarahi), but Milarepa taught this method by using Chenrezig. Guru yoga Mahamudrā meditation (Samatha and Vipasyana) Dedication of merit.

This practice is traditionally cultivated in retreat alongside the Six Dharmas of Naropa, and it is preceded by the preliminary practices called ngondro.Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche (2009), The Practice of Mahamudra, Shambhala, pp. 13-14.

This presentation is outlined in Clarifying the Jewel Rosary of the Profound Five-Fold Path by Kunga Rinchen, the Dharma heir to Jigten Sumgön.

The Drikung Kagyü also have a tradition of Dzogchen teachings, the Yangzab Dzogchen.Helmut Krasser, Tibetan studies, International Association for Tibetan Studies. Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1997 - Tibet (China), page 586 It is based on termas revealed by the Drikung Tertön (hidden treasure revealer), Rinchen Phuntsog in the sixteenth century.

Phowa The Drikung lineage is popularly known for its development of the practice of Phowa, in which a practitioner learns how to expel his/her consciousness or mindstream through the posterior fontanelle at the top of the skull at the moment of death. One of the Six Yogas of Naropa, this practice is said to aid the practitioner in remaining aware through the death experience, thus aiding one in attaining enlightenment in the Bardo (the state in between death and the next rebirth) or in achieving a birth conducive to the practice of Dharma.

Monasteries and centers

The first and main Drikung Kagyü monastery is Drikung Thil Monastery,A Brief History of the Drikung Kagyü Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism founded in 1179 by Jigten Sumgön approximately 150 kilometers northeast of Lhasa.

Aside from the Drikung Valley in Ü, the Drikung Kagyu has a strong presence in Nangqên County in what was Kham, in western Tibet (including Kailash), and in Ladakh. Tsari and Lapchi - two important sacred sites for all Tibetan Buddhists - also have a strong Drikung Kagyu presence. Among the so-called "four major and eight minor" Kagyu lineages, Drikung Kagyu is one of four Kagyu lineages that continue to exist as independent institutions (the other three being the Karma Kagyu, Drukpa Lineage and Taklung Kagyu).

Outside of Tibet, the headquarters for the tradition in exile is Jangchubling, located in Dhera Dun, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.Gruber, Elmar R., From the Heart of Tibet: The Biography of Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche, the Holder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage, Shambhala Publications, 2010, Foreword by the Dalai Lama.

Drikung Kagyu is one of the most prominent lineages in Ladakh where its main monasteries are Phyang and Lamayuru, with roughly 50 other monasteries spread across Ladakh region.

A series of Drikung Dharma centers were also founded in the West, a project begun by Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche in 1978.Lewis, James R. The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions, p. 290.

Lineage notes Spiritual heads

From the founding of Drikung Thil Monastery in 1179 to the present day, the Drikung Kagyü lineage has been led by a succession of spiritual heads ("throne-holders"). One of the two current heads of the lineage, Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche,His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, Head of the Drikung Kagyü Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, will visit St. Petersburg September 14-15, 2010 His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Könchok Tenzin Kunzang Thinley Lhundrup (b. 1946), Synopsis the 37th Drikungpa resides at Drikung Kagyü Institute at Dehra Dun, India. The other head of the Drikung Kagyü Lineage, the 36th Drikungpa, Drikung Kyabgön Chungtsang Rinpoche, Könchok Tenzin Chökyi Nangwa (b. 1942) lives in Lhasa, Tibet.His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang

Female protector Another unique feature of the Drikung lineage is its female dharmapāla, Achi Chokyi Drolma. The great-grandmother of Jigten Sumgön,Achi Chokyi Drolma she prophesied his birth and vowed to protect those in his lineage. She is unusual in that she is both a female protector and an enlightened bodhisattva that can be taken as an iṣṭadevatā in meditation practice. She is depicted either sitting on a horse or standing with a kapala in her left hand and a mirror in her right hand.Worldly Protector (Buddhist) - Achi Chokyi Drolma Achi's practice became so popular that she has been included in other lineages, such as the Karma Kagyu.

First nun In 2002 Khenmo Drolma, an American woman, became the first bhikkhuni (a fully ordained Buddhist nun) in the Drikung Kagyü lineage. She is also the first westerner, male or female, to be installed as an abbot in the Drikung Kagyü lineage, having been installed as the abbot of the Vajra Dakini Nunnery (America's first Tibetan Buddhist nunnery, located in Vermont) in 2004.Women Making History

Lineage timeline NameDate of BirthDate of DeathYear Lineage Holding BegunYear Lineage Holding RelinquishedPhagmodrupa11101170Lord Jigten Sumgon1143121711791217Kenchen Gurawa Tsultrim Dorje1154122112171221On Rinpoche Sonam Drakpa1187123412211234Chen-nga Rinpoche Drakpa Jungne1175125512341255Telo Dorje Drakpa1210127812551278Thog-khawa Rinchen Senge1226128412781284Chen-nga tsamchedpa Drakpa Sonam1238128612841286Dorje Yeshe1223129312861293Chu-nyipa Dorje Rinchen1278131412931314Nyer-gyepa Dorje Gyalpo1283135013141350Nyermyipa Chökyi Gyalpo1335140713501395Shenyen Dondrup Gyalpo1369142713951427Dakpo Wang1395According to The Great Kagyu Masters (Gyaltsen, 270) "he went to Five Peaked Mountain in China and achieved the state of immortality."14271428Chogyal Rinchen Pal Zangpo1421146914281469Rinchen Chökyi Gyaltsen1449148414691484Gyalwang Kunga Rinchen1475152714841527Gyalwang Rinchen Phuntsok1509155715271534Rinchen Namgyal Chodak Gyaltsen1527157015651570Chokyi Namgyal1557157915701579Tsungme Chogyal Phuntsok1547160215791602Naro Nyipa Tashi Phuntsok1574162816021615Jetsǖn Könchog Rinchen (1st Chetsang) A Brief History of the Drikung Kagyu"A system of two lineage holders was established, that of the elder (Chetsang) and the younger (Chungtsang) brother." They aren't considered brothers by blood, but by lineage. Chetsang Rinpoche is considered an emanation of Chenrezig.1580165416151626Kunkhyen Chökyi Dragpa (1st Chungtsang) Chungtsang Rinpoche is considered the emanation of both Padmasambhava and Manjushri. Also, one of the Drikung Kyabgŏns.1595165916261659Könchog trinley Sangpo (Chetsang)1656171816591718Trinley Dondrub Chogyal (Chungtsang)1704175417041754Kônchog Tenzin Drodul (Chetsang)1724176617241766Könchog Tenzin Chökyi Nyima (Chuntsang)1755179217551792Tenzin Padme Gyaltsen (Chetsang)1770182617701826Tenzin Chöwang Lodrô (Regent)18261827Jetsǖn Chonyi Norbu (Chungtsang)1827186518271865Könchog Thukie Nyima (Chetsang)1828188118281881Könchog Tenzin Chôkyi Lodrö (Chungtsang)1868190618681906Könchog Tenzin Zhiwe Lodrö (Chetsang)1886194318861943Tenzin Chökyi Jungme (Chungtsang)1909194019091940Tenzin Thuben Wangpo (Regent)19401942Tenzin Chökyi Nangwa (Chungtsang)19421942Könchog Tenzin Kunzang Thinley Lhundrup (Chetsang)19461946 Gyaltsen, Khenpo Könchog, Edited by Victoria Huckenpahler. The Great Kagyu Master: The Golden Lineage Treasury. Snow Lion Publications, 2006 2nd Edition.

References

Drikung Kagyu

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