The unbroken lineage of the oral tradition of
teachings which came from Marpa the Translator is called ‘that
which was said’.
Origins
The Indian Mahasiddha Tilopa received the four
complete instructions from Gyalwa Dorje Chang (Vajradhara), and
he in turn gave them to his disciple Naropa and Naropa gave them
to Marpa the
Translator who was born in Lhodrag, Tibet. The authentic Kagyu
oral tradition flowed from Marpa to one of his four principal
disciples, Milarepa,
who came from the Gungthang region of Tibet. Up until and
including Je Milarepa, the great lineage holders of the Kagyu
oral tradition were lay practitioners. It is believed that since
that time, beginning with Milarepa’s main student,
Dagpo Lhaje, the lineage has been held mainly by
ordained masters.
Instructions
The main dharma and practices of this lineage
have developed from the view of Mahamudra and the Six Dharmas of
Naropa.