Simhanada---Shangpa Kaygu Lineage

The Shangpa Kagyu Lineage

Khyunpo Naljor, above him are Dorje Chang, and the Indian masters such as the female Niguma and Sukhasiddhi. He is surrounded by other holders, protectors, yidams and masters of the Shangpa Kagyu lineage.

The Tibetan master Khyunpo Naljor (990-1139) studied under more than one hundred teachers in India. In particular, he received the transmission of the Kagyu lineage from the female Niguma, the sister of Naropa. Furthermore, he received teachings from Sukhasiddhi, Lama Dorjedenpa from Bodhgaya, and Rahula. Khyunpo Naljor established Zhang-zhong as his main monastery in central Tibet.

As Khyunpo Naljor was commanded, the lineage should only be fully transmitted to one disciple until four disciples after him. This succession of lineage holders is known as the Seven Jewels, starting with the Buddha Vajradhara and Niguma. Khyunpo Naljor was Niguma’s disciple. Khyunpo Naljor’s main disciple was Mokchokpa who lived 1110-1170 CE.

Mokchokpa passed the lineage onto Kyergangpa (1143-1216), who passed the lineage onto Rigongpa (1175-1247). Rigongpa gave the lineage transmission to Sangye Tonpa (1213-1285).

After Sangye Tonpa the lineage was transmitted to more than one individual. Sangye Tonpa had two main disciples: Shangtonpa and Zhonnu Drup. From there on, the lineage was passed down through various transmissions.

The Shangpa lineage included the Jonang lineage transmission. Also, great masters such as Thangtang Gyalpo, Jamyang Khyentse, the Kathog abbots and Taranatha were holders of the Shangpa transmission. Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye collected and preserved the Shangpa lineage transmissions. Presently, Dorjechang Kalu Rinpoche and Bokar Rinpoche are the main holders of the Shangpa transmission.

The practices of the Shangpa lineage were later on incorporated into the mainstream Karma Kagyu lineage and others including the Gelugpa school of the Dalai Lamas.