The Four Older and the Eight Younger lineages

The lineage of instruction which came from Dagpo Lhaje and his nephew is known as Dagpo Kagyu.

If one differentiates within this lineage, the lineages founded by four of Dagpo Lhaje’s own students are known as the Four Older Lineages, and those founded by students of the students are known as the Eight Younger Lineages.

The Four Older Lineages

The four older lineages came from Dagpo Lhaje and his nephew. They are the Barom Kagyu from Barom Darma Wangchuk; the Phagdru Kagyu from Phagdru Dorje Gyalpo; Kamtshang Kagyu from Dusum Khyenpa; Tshalpa Kagyu from Shang Yudragpa.

The Eight Younger Lineages

The eight younger lineages came from the eight principal students of Phagdru Dorje Gyalpo. They are the Drigung Kagyu from Kyopa Rinchen Pal; Taklung Kagyu from Thangpa Tashi Pal; Trophu Kagyu from Gyaltsa and his nephew; Lingrey Kagyu (and the sub-sect Drugpa Kagyu) from Lingrey Pema Dorje; Martshang Kagyu from Marpa Sherab Yeshe; Yelpa Kagyu from Yelpa Yeshe Tseg; Ya-zang Kagyu from Sarawa Yeshe Senge and Shugsep Kagyu from Nyephu Gyergom.