Kagyu

Kagyu (bka' brgyud) means “oral lineage.” The school descends from Indian mahāsiddhas such as Tilopa and Nāropa through Marpa the Translator, Milarepa, and Gampopa. Its hallmark is experiential meditation — especially mahāmudrā — transmitted closely from teacher to student.

Major branches include Karma Kagyu (headed by the Karmapa), Drikung, Drukpa, and others. Practice often combines ngöndro, deity yoga (notably Vajrayoginī and Chakrasaṃvara cycles), and mahāmudrā instructions. Western centers associated with Kalu Rinpoche, Chögyam Trungpa, and successive Karmapas have made Kagyu teachings widely available.