The Shangpa Kagyu (ཤངས་པ་བཀའ་བརྒྱུད) school of Tibetan Buddhism has a unique and fascinating history that traces its roots to one of Tibet’s early spiritual figures, Khyungpo Naljor. This tradition, distinct from other Kagyu branches, is known for its teachings on advanced meditation practices, including Mahamudra and Dzogchen, and for its emphasis on the transmission of secret tantric teachings.
The Founding of the Shangpa Kagyu
Khyungpo Naljor, hailing from the Nyemo Reman region in Tibet, came from a family connected to the Khyungpo lineage. He began his spiritual journey by studying the Bon religion in his early years, before turning to the Dzogchen teachings of the Nyingma school. His thirst for knowledge led him to travel to Nepal, where he studied under the great tantric master Pandita Pasumadi, learning key practices related to Ze (a form of yogic practice).
Khyungpo Naljor, in India met the mystic yogini Niguma, also known as Vajradhara Niguma. She became his primary teacher, passing on her secret teachings, including a special tradition of Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Niguma, which are similar to but distinct from the Six Dharmas of Naropa. Khyungpo Naljor was Niguma’s most famous disciple and the only one to receive her deepest teachings.
He also studied under other notable figures like the dakini Sukhasiddhi, a student of the great mahasiddha Virūpa, and met several other masters, including Vajrāsana, Maitripada, and Rāhula. Another famous figure in the Shangpa Kagyu lineage, Thang Tong Gyalpo, also received teachings from Niguma in a vision and later founded his own religious tradition, Thang Lugs, within the Shangpa Kagyu lineage.
After his time in Nepal, Khyungpo Naljor traveled to India, where he received novice monk ordination at the revered Vajrasha Nalanda Monastery. There, he furthered his training in tantric practices, learning Mahamudra meditation from the teachings of Maitreya, the future Buddha. Upon his return to Tibet, Khyungpo Naljor spent time in the Jubo Mountain basin, where he devoted himself to deep meditative practices and teaching his spiritual insights.
The Establishment of Shangpa Kagyu
Once back in Tibet, Khyungpo Naljor established a monastic community and began gathering disciples. He built a number of monasteries, including Shang Temple, and founded the Shangpa Kagyu tradition. This tradition became notable for its emphasis on the “oral transmission” of teachings, a hallmark of the Kagyu schools, and for its focus on a unique set of tantric practices.
His teachings were centered around the six yogic methods, which included advanced meditative practices and the famous Fire technique. Under his guidance, a dedicated group of disciples emerged, with five core students forming the early foundation of the Shangpa Kagyu lineage. Among these was Mochok Rinchen Tsondru, a key figure in the tradition’s development.
The Role of Mochok Rinchen Tsondru and Successors
In his later years, Khyungpo Naljor passed his teachings to his trusted disciple, Mochok Rinchen Tsondru. Mochok became the fourth-generation holder of the Shangpa Kagyu lineage and was the first to receive the esteemed Vajra secret sentence. Following Khyungpo Naljor’s death, the Shangpa Kagyu leadership continued through Kyergang Chokyi Senge, Nyenton Rigung Chokyi Sherab, and Songjay Tenpa Tsondru Senge, each playing a vital role in preserving and spreading the tradition.
Songjay Tenpa played a critical role in the further dissemination of Shangpa teachings. His student, Nyenton Rigung Chokyi Sherab, built a monastery in Rigong, a region in former Tibetan territories. Nyenton Rigung Chokyi Sherab‘s teachings eventually became known as the Rigong system, a sub-branch of the Shangpa Kagyu lineage.
The Seven Treasures of the Shangpa Kagyu
The most influential figures in the Shangpa Kagyu tradition are often referred to as the “Seven Treasures,” a group of masterful teachers who contributed to the lineage’s growth and spread. One of these figures, Songjay Tenpa Tsondru Senge, a disciple of Nyenton Rigung Chokyi Sherab, achieved the status of a “universal pass holder,” elevating the traditions of the Shangpa Kagyu to new heights.
These Seven Treasures of the Shangpa Kagyu include:
- Khyungpo Naljor – The founder and spiritual leader who established the Shangpa Kagyu lineage.
- Meuton – One of Khyungpo Naljor’s earliest disciples, instrumental in spreading his teachings.
- Mochok Rinchen Tsondru – The fourth-generation holder of the Vajra secret sentence, pivotal in maintaining the lineage after Khyungpo Naljor‘s death.
- Kyergang Chokyi Senge – A key figure who inherited the throne of Shangpa Kagyu and passed it down through his disciples.
- Nyenton Rigung Chokyi Sherab – A prominent disciple of Kyergang Chokyi Senge, known for his work in Rigong and establishing the Rigong system.
- Songjay Tenpa Tsondru Senge – A disciple of Nyenton, known for his exceptional realization and leadership in the later stages of Shangpa Kagyu’s development.
- Zari Goumba – A contemporary of Nyenton, whose contributions to the Shangpa Kagyu system were integral to its growth.
Unique Practices of the Shangpa Kagyu
The Shangpa Kagyu is distinct within the broader Kagyu tradition due to its focus on the advanced yogic practices of Dzogchen and Mahamudra, as well as its detailed teachings on the Six Yogas. The tradition emphasizes direct experience through meditation, seeking to transcend ordinary perception and awaken to the true nature of reality.
Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of the Shangpa Kagyu
The Shangpa Kagyu has had a profound impact on Tibetan Buddhism. Though it remains less well-known than some of the other Kagyu schools, its teachings continue to influence Tibetan Buddhists worldwide. The tradition’s unique combination of Mahamudra meditation, Dzogchen, and tantric practices continues to inspire practitioners today, preserving the wisdom of its founders and the core teachings they passed down through generations.
This lineage’s rich spiritual heritage and its emphasis on direct, experiential understanding of Buddhist teachings make it an invaluable part of Tibet’s Buddhist tradition.
