About Drikung Kagyu
Drikung (also spelled "Drigung" and less commonly, "Drikhung") Kagyu is a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism that
emphasizes the primacy of practice leading to a direct realization of
the nature of reality. Practice here is understood as an integrated and
holistic approach that includes learning, reflection or contemplation
and meditation. While recognizing the importance of having a core group
of scholar-teachers who are well schooled in the exposition and
transmission of Dharma, the majority of others are encouraged to simply
take the essential teachings to heart and practice them with devotion.
In traditional terms, practice is
said to consist of the three aspects of View, Meditation and Conduct.
The unique View of Drikung Kagyu is found in the special teachings of
Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön known as Gongchig
or the Single Intent. As for Meditation, along
with other Kagyu lineages, Drikung Kagyu considers Mahamudra (as taught
by Gampopa and his sucessors) as the "path of liberation" and the "Six
Dharmas of Naropa" as the "path of method" and generally advocates a
holistic practice that integrates both of these paths. Drikung Kagyu
specializes in the system of Mahamudra known as the "Five-fold Path" (ngaden)
or the "Path in Five Parts." The five parts refer to bodhicitta,
deity-yoga, guru-yoga, actual mahamudra and dedication.
Finally "the oneness of Mahamudra and moral-ethics" succinctly
expresses Drikung Kagyu teachings on Conduct.
History
As a distinct lineage, Drikung Kagyu
can be said to have originated in the year 1179 when Kyobpa Jigten
Sumgön established Drikung Thil Ogmin Jangchub Ling in Drikung
Valley, some 120 kilometers northeast of Lhasa. Within his own
lifetime, tens of thousands of disciples gathered around Jigten
Sumgön in Drikung. The lineage continued to grow and expand
rapidly in the years following Jigten Sumgön's passing. At one
point, there was even a saying among Tibetans that if one were
to make a pilgrimage to Central Tibet, it was best to save Drikung Thil
for last since seeing Drikung Thil first would render all other
monasteries and sites insignificant. Referring to those periods of
flourish, Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye, wrote that "all the
mountains are filled with Drigung hermits and all the valleys are
filled with Drigung patrons." At the same time, like many other
monasteries in Tibet, Drigung also suffered periods of decline and
destruction - the most devastating probably being the complete
destruction in 1290 and the total devastation post-1959. But regardless
of the ups and downs, the pure transmission of the lineage was kept
intact so that to this day, led by the two throne-holders, Drikung
Kagyu teachers are practicing and transmitting the precious teachings
of the lineage throughout the world.
For an
excellent and authoritative account of the history of Drikung Kagyu,
please visit the offical website of Drikung Kagyu. Click here.
Current throne-holders
  His Holiness Kyabgön Chungtsang Rinpoché
His Holiness Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoché
Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön was
succeded by 21 throne-holders and all but three were members of the
Kyura family, Jigten Sumgön's paternal lineage. While many of
these throne-holders were emanations of bodhisattvas and mahasiddhas,
the tulku-system of succession did not begin in Drikung Kagyu until the
17th century. The passing of the 24th throne-holder, Vidyadhara Rigzin
Chodrak (1626-1659) also marked the end of the Kyura lineage. From that
point on, the Chetsang and Chungtsang tulkus
assumed the position of throne-holder of Drikung. These two lineages of
tulkus were prophesied by Jigten Sumgön as the bodhisattva
reincarnations, benefiting beings like the sun and moon. Kyabgön
Chetsang is the sun-like bodhisattva, the supreme emanation of the
Buddha of Compassion while Kyabgön Chungtsang is the moon-like
bodhisattva, the supreme emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom. The current
Kyabgön Chungtsang - the 36th throne-holder is the 8th incarnation
while Kyabgön Chetsang - the 37th throne-holder is the 7th
incarnation.
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