Gampopa

Gampopa Sonam Rinchen (1079–1153) is Tibetan Buddhist teacher - lama, holder of the Kagyu school, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

He was the most important (or son like) student of Milarepa.

In his young years Gampopa was a physician in Dagpo region of S. Tibet. Before studying under Milarepa, Gampopa had studied the Kadampa tradition, which belongs to gradual Mahayana path. He searched for, and eventually met Milarepa, and attained realization of ultimate reality under his guidance.

He combined the Lamrim teachings and methods from the Kadampa masters with the Mahamudra insights of Milarepa. Among his many writings, one of the most notable is the Jewel Ornament of Liberation, originally titled Damcho Yishingyi Norbu Tarpa Rinpoche Gyan.^[1]

Four of his disciples founded the four "major" Kagyu schools:

• Barom Kagyu founded by Barompa Darma Wangchug
• Phagdru Kagyu founded by Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo
• Karma Kagyu, also known as the Kamtsang Kagyu School, founded by Düsum Khyenpa the 1st Karmapa
• Tsalpa Kagyu founded by Zhang Yudragpa Tsondru Drag

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