Branch schools of the Kagyu Order
Four disciples of Gampopa founded what became four great schools of the Kagyu:
Karma Kagyu was founded by Karmapa Du-sum Khyenpa (1110-1193).
Tshalpa Kagyu was founded by Zhang Yudrakpa (1123-1193).
Ba-rom Kagyu was founded by Ba-rom Dharma Wangchuk.
Phagdru Kagyu was founded by Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110-1170).
Gampopa's leading disciple was the glorious Karmapa and to this day the Karma-Kagyu branch tends to represent the dominant or main lineage of the Kagyupa.
A further eight lesser branch schools of the Kagyu originated from Phagmo Drupa's leading disciples. Today the Phagdru Kagyu exists not as a single entity, but in the form of these eight branch traditions or sub-schools. These eight sub-schools of the Phagdru-Kagyu are:
Drikung Kagyu founded by Jigten Sumgon (1143-1217)
Taklung Kagyu founded by Thangpa Tashi Pal (1142-1210).
Sri Drukpa Kagyu founded by Ling Re-pa Pema Dorje (1128-1189).
Trophu Kagyu founded by the brothers, Gyaltsa (1118-1195) & Kunden (1148-1217)
Martsang Kagyu founded by Choje Mar
Yerpa Kagyu founded by Yelphugpa
Yamzang Kagyu founded by Yamzang Choje (1168-1233).
Shugseb Kagyu founded by Gyergom (b. 1144).
It is possible to distinguish several transmissions within each named lineage of the Kagyu. However, all these lineages pass along what is essentially the same instruction descending from Dagpo Lha-je Gampopa, and are therefore all considered sub-schools of the one unique Dagpo Kagyu family. Since these are all branches from a common tree, they remain in close harmony with each other.
