Long ago, in 10th century India, lived two extraordinary women who perfectly realized the state of Buddha: the Jnana dakinis Niguma and Sukhasiddhi. The learned and accomplished Khyungpo Naljor, who left Tibet seeking India’s most precious teachings, met them and received their teachings. The Palden Shangpa Kagyu lineage was born!

Since then, thanks to the wisdom and compassion of all the masters who have been its holders, the lineage has been handed down to us today in all of its richness and vitality.

The Palden Shangpa Kagyu, a yogic lineage

The Palden Shangpa Kagyu is one of the eight great traditions of the Land of Snow. It is a pure yogic lineage, according to the Vajrayana transmission, transmitted from masters to disciples through the initiation and the sacred bounds (samaya) associated to it.

The lineage recent history

From Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thayé...
The Palden Shangpa Kagyu was revived by Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thayé (1801-1899), in his Tsadra Rinchen Drak (Eastern Tibet, Kham) retreat center.

to Vajradhara Kalu Rangjung Künchab
The transmission then came to Vajradhara Kalu Rangjung Künchab (Kalu Rinpoche, 1904-1989) who founded worldwide many three-year retreat centers dedicated to its practice.

Vajradhara Kalu Rangjung Künchab followed the Palden Dashang filiation and gave this patronym to the Dharma centers he founded, reminding thereby the heart connection linking the Dhagpo Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages.

...and his spiritual heirs
After the passing away of Kalu Rangjung Kûnchab, the complete transmission of the lineage, the Shangpa Chatsang, continued to be transmitted by different spiritual heirs of Kalu Rangjung Künchab, mainly in the context of three-year retreat centers.

Click here to see the history of these transmissions.

What is the Palden Shangpa Kagyu Network?

The Palden Shangpa Kagyu Network links Shangpa lineage’s lamas and followers together. It was founded in 2008 by some of the elders disciples of Vajradhara Kalu Rangjung Künchab (see here the Foundation Act). The Network is open to all Shangpa Rinpoches and lamas.

The Palden Shangpa Kagyu Network is not an organization. It is not hierarchical but fully cooperative. Its main aspiration is to invigorate, to vitalize and to nurture the Shangpa lineage through facilitating communication and cooperation between Palden Shangpa centers, lamas, and practitioners.

Please contact us for any information.

Why this website?

This website has two purposes:

1. to present the history, teachings and continuing value of the Palden Shangpa Kagyu lineage;
   
   
2. to encourage meetings, sharing and cooperation among the network of Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thayé and Kalu Rangjung Künchab followers.

The Palden Shangpa Kagyu Network members

Click here to see the list of members, as updated on January 30th, 2010.