Gampopa had four main disciples: Barampa Dharma Wongchug, Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa, Tsongdragpa and Phagmodrupa.

From these disciples stemmed the Four Major Kagyu traditions. The Baram Kagyu lineage began with the disciple Barampa Dharma Wongchug. The Tshalpa Kagyu lineage began with the disciple Tsongdragpa.The Karma Kagyu lineage and transmission began with Gampopa’s disciple known as Dusum Khyenpa or Lama Tsurphula, the First Gyalwa Karmapa.  Phagmodrupa started the Phagmo transmission of the Kagyu lineage.

Phagmodrupa had numerous disciples. They founded the eight lesser transmission lineages which are the Drikung, Taglung, Tropu, Drukpa, Maydrup, Bardrup, Barta and Lhodrug.  Of these that last until today, the Drikung was founded by Je Jigten Sumgon, the Taglung was founded by Taglungpa and the Drukpa was founded by Tsangpa Gyare.

Continue on to learn about how Gampopa's teachings were carried on by the Gyalwa Karmapas. Also, click to learn about the Drikung lineage headed by Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche and the Drukpa lineage headed by the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa.