Drikung Kagyu Teachings and Lineage Holders: A Compassionate Guide in Tibetan Buddhism
The Drikung Kagyu School is a sacred sub‑lineage of the Kagyu tradition, established in the 12th century by Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon. The school is known to be devoted to the practice of meditation and to the experience of Mahamudra (experience), which is achieved through oral transmission, in which the teacher passes directly from teachings to the student. A traditional feature of the Drikung Kagyu lineage is its devotion to Achi Chokyi Drolma, the chief protectress of the tradition. A sacred figure, Achi is not only the symbol of protection and compassion but also a guide who assists the practitioners in passing all the challenges on their spiritual path. Her role as a living force within the lineage highlights the strong relation between worshipping the deity and a practical way of enlightenment in Drikung Kagyu.
Achi Chokyi Drolma holds an especially sacred place in the Drikung Kagyu, where she is seen as more than just a guardian deity. Historically, she was a realized 11th‑century figure from the Drikung Valley, and her presence continues to be a source of protection and strength for the lineage's followers. Being the great-grandmother of Jiten Sumgon, she predicted his birth and devoted herself to carrying on the teaching of the Buddha. In the modern day, the teachings and vitality of Achi are the core of Drikung Kagyu practice, as a source of spiritual direction, defense, and empowerment of the followers across the world. Her legacy lives on in rituals, prayers, and in the sacrificial practice of the lineage, where she to this day represents the caring and protective side of the enlightened feminine force.
Drikung Kagyu School:
One of the most significant sub-lineages of the larger Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism is the Drikung Kagyu, due to its emphasis on the methods of meditation and the methods of experiential realization. The Drikung Kagyu is traced back to the teachings of Gampopa in the 12th century. It was founded by Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon and is founded on the continuous attainment of the lineage of the great masters of the past. The school emphasizes much more the actual practice of meditation and the discovery of Mahamudra, which results in wisdom, compassion and spiritual understanding.
The word Drikung Kagyu is based upon the Tibetan terms "Drikung" which means the valley in which the tradition originated, as well as "Kagyu" which means Lineage of Oral Instructions (bka' brgyud). Kagyu is an emphasized name that emphasizes on the significance of oral passing of the teachings between the master and student, which is fundamental to the tradition. In the Drikung Kagyu, most of the practitioners center on the Fivefold Profound Path of Mahamudra, which is one of the teachings that offers a systematic guide to enlightenment. This tradition has survived to the present day and has an excellent presence all around the world, thus keeping its deep wisdom and practices which have been transmitted orally through centuries of continuous transmission.
Origins and Founding
The Drikung Kagyu can be traced to the early spread of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, which is of Indian tantric origin. It is customarily believed that the lineage originated with Tilopa, who was taught by the primordial Buddha Vajradhara and passed it on to Naropa. These doctrines were next spread to Tibet through Marpa Lotsawa, who introduced deep Mahamudra and yoga teachings to Tibet. His most renowned disciple, Milarepa, became a seminal figure in Tibetan spiritual history, known for his realization attained through ceaseless meditation and retreat.
From Milarepa, the lineage continued through Gampopa, whose synthesis of Mahayana and tantric practices helped shape what came to be known as the Kagyu tradition as a distinct school. One of Gampopa’s principal disciples was Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo, a realized master whose own disciples founded several Kagyu sub‑lineages. Among them, Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon (1143–1217), the founder of the Drikung Kagyu School, stands out as the central figure in establishing this distinct lineage in Tibet around 1179 CE.
Achi Chokyi Drolma: The Great Protector of the Drikung Kagyu
One of the most worshiped personalities in the Drikung Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism is Achi Chokyi Drolma, who is considered to be the supreme protector of the teaching and its followers. Although there are numerous schools of Tibetan Buddhists that have their protectors, the significance of Achi is quite profound and personalistic in the Drikung Kagyu tradition, in which she is understood not merely as a protecting deity but as a living entity within the spiritual existence of the lineage.
Achi Chokyi Drolma was a historical character, a real person who was born in the Drigung Valley of Tibet in the 11th century. She was renowned in terms of her deep spiritual understanding and devotion to the Dharma. Also closely related to her is Lord Jigten Sumgon, the founder of the Drikung Kagyu, as her great-grandmother. Traditionally, she had foretold his birth and made a vow of life-long service to the teachings of the Buddha and to everyone who practices them.
One of the unique features of her is that she can bridge ancient tantric training and contemporary spiritual life. She is portrayed not as a distant myth but as an active force that responds directly to sincere practitioners, helping them navigate modern challenges with courage, wisdom, and compassion.
Ritual, praise, and formal study in the Drikung Kagyu lineage are still upheld in the legacy of Achi Chokyi Drolma. This lineage of masters has openly honoured her as a protector and mother and recognised her sacred status not only as a protector deity but also as an alive manifestation of enlightened feminine energy that helps the Dharma and all mortal beings that aspire to liberation.
Difference Between the Kagyu and Drikung Kagyu School
|
Aspect |
Kagyu (General Tradition) |
Drikung Kagyu School |
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Definition |
The term Kagyu refers to the group of Kagyu lineages within Tibetan Buddhism, known as the lineage of oral instructions, which extends to Buddha Vajradhara through Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa, and Gampopa. |
A specific sub-lineage of the large Kagyu school, established in 1179 CE by Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon. |
|
Origins |
It is based on early Indian Mahasiddhas (Tilopa - Naropa), which Marpa introduced to Tibet, and which Milarepa and Gampopa extended. |
Developed out of the Kagyu lineage through Phagmo Drupa (one of the major disciples of Gampopa) and was formalized as a separate branch by Jigten Sumgon in the Drikung Valley of Tibet.
|
|
Lineage Structure |
Includes several sub-lineages (major and minor) like Karma Kagyu, Drukpa Kagyu, Taklung Kagyu and Drikung Kagyu, among others. |
One of the eight minor Kagyu sub-lineages that have its origin in the disciples of Phagmo Drupa, also has a monastic and practice lineage of Kagyu. |
|
Primary Seat / Monastery |
No individual seat; there are various large monasteries in accordance with the sub-lineage (e.g., Tsurphu for Karma Kagyu). |
It was established at Drikung Thil Monastery, in Drikung Valley, the main historical seat of the Drikung Kagyu school. |
|
Lineage Leadership |
Each branch has its own hierarchical lineage holders; e.g., Karma Kagyu is headed by the Karmapa. |
Under the direction of two heads, the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and Chungtsang Rinpoches, who lead the lineage both spiritually and organizationally. |
|
Teachings & Emphasis |
Insists on Mahamudra practice, practice of guru-yoga, yogic practice, and on the Six Yogas of Naropa, which are transmitted by oral instruction. |
Also focuses on Mahamudra and meditation, though with particular regard to the Fivefold Mahamudra paths and teachings as explained by Jigten Sumgon and contained within the Drikung Kagyu corpus. |
|
Common Practices |
Devotion to the guru, meditative techniques, and esoteric tantra techniques were transmitted through all Kagyu sub-lineages. |
Shares this common Kagyu practice foundation, but often includes unique liturgies, protector practices (such as Achi Chokyi Drolma tied to Drikung history), and texts like the Gongchig (Single Intention) attributed to Jigten Sumgon. |
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Cultural/Regional Influence |
Spread widely across Tibet and the Himalayan regions, different sub‑lineages carry regional influence (e.g., Karma in central Tibet, Drukpa in Bhutan). |
Historically rooted in the Drikung Valley but spread to regions such as Ladakh, parts of Tibet, and worldwide Dharma centers through Drikung practitioners and teachers. |
Drikung Thil Monastery and Early Lineage Development
(Photo From Mandalas Life)
Jigten Sumgon created the Drikung Thil Monastery in the Drikung Valley in the northeast of Lhasa. This was the center of the Drikung Kagyu school, a thriving seat of yogic practice, monastic schooling, and the study of scriptures. He also taught about intense meditation as well as the devotion that one must practice to lead a Buddhist life within the community. The monastery quickly attracted thousands of practitioners and gave the lineage a center for centuries.
The Drikung Kagyu were unique in maintaining to the present day the Fivefold Profound Path of Mahamudra, and other of the traditional tantric transmissions through Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa, and Gampopa. The chief of this tradition is also the Single Intention (Gongchig), a doctrinal text written by Jiten Sumgon, which brings the Buddha teachings to the unity of one path to enlightenment.
Practices and Spiritual Emphasis
Similar to other schools of the Kagyu, the Drikung Kagyu lays emphasis on meditation, particularly Mahamudra, which is also referred to as the direct realization of the mind beyond conceptual thinking. These doctrines are frequently taught by guru yoga and practicum, and they put a very high value on the connection between the teacher and the student.
The lineage also conserved distinct practices over time and assimilated influences of other related Vedanta traditions to a certain extent. Over the centuries, Drikung Kagyu masters and practitioners have historically had retreats, rituals, and teachings continuing as a living tradition.
Leadership and Continuity
The Drikung Kagyu is also traditionally led by two lineage holders as opposed to one reincarnate lama, as in the case of some Tibetan Buddhist lineages, the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang. These reincarnated lamas have spiritual power and they assist in leading the world Drikung community. They are sustaining monastic institutions and centers of practice within the Himalayan regions and in exile, and international activities of the Dharma.
Today, the Drikung Kagyu also has monasteries and practice centers all over Tibet, India, and the Himalayas, such as Ladakh and Nepal. It also has Dharma centers in the West where the teachers have been passing on the meditative and devotional traditions of the lineage to new generations of meditators and devotees.
Legacy and Influence
The Drikung Kagyu School has contributed greatly to the preservation of Tibetan Buddhist doctrines by passing them through oral transmission, meditation, and leadership within the community. Its focus on immediate realization and loving service to the world is the core of the Kagyu tradition, which pulls centuries of teaching into living spiritual life, which persists today.
Conclusion:
The Drikung Kagyu tradition, which originated in Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon's teachings, is still alive and vibrant as an example of meditation, wisdom and compassion in Tibetan Buddhism. Having a substantial focus on Mahamudra and the need to propagate the teachings via oral teachings, the Mahayana school of Drikung Kagyu provides an intense means of awakening to its practitioners. The strong force of Achi Chokyi Drolma as a spiritual guardian and guide also makes the lineage richer and that it will continue being a living power in both the traditional and modern contexts. With the teachings of Drikung Kagyu spreading all over the world, they present an invaluable source of spiritual guidance, enabling the followers to overcome the challenge of Mara and achieve the ultimate goal of enlightenment.
