The Drikung Kagyu Lineage

Lord Kyopa Jigten Sumgon, (1143-1217), the foremost disciple of Lord Phagmo Drupa, founded the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Lord Jigten Sumgon has been prophesied by the Buddha himself in many sutras and tantras to be the reincarnation of Acharya Nagarjuna, the trail-blazer of the Prasangikamadyamika, the “middle way philosophy.”

Since the establishment of the Drikung Thil Monastery by Lord Kyopa Jigten Sumgon in 1179, his precious teachings of Dharma have been passed through an unbroken lineage of thirty-seven fully accomplished masters until now.

The present co-heads of the Drikung Kagyu lineage are His Holiness the 36th Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang, who resides in Tibet and His Holiness the 37th Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang.

His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Konchok Tenzin Kunzang Thinley Lhundrup is based in India and gives extensive Dharma teachings throughout the world, thus maintaining the unsurpassable activities of the previous great masters.

In 1985, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang established Jangchubling, the Drikung Kagyu Institute in Dehra Dun, India.

More information about the Drikung Kagyu Lineage can be found at:

Drikung Lineage from the Official Drikung Kagyu site

About Drikung Kagyu from TMC Frederick, Maryland

Drikung Kagyu Resource Website:
Origin of the Driung Kagyu Lineage
History of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage

Drikung.org : Drikung lineage