The Drikung Garchen Institute is a center of the Drikung Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The Drikung Kagyu tradition belongs to the Kagyu lineage (“lineage of oral transmission”), which has its origins in the teachings of Buddha Vajradhara and the great Indian master Tilopa (988-1069). The Kagyu teachings came to Tibet through Marpa the Translator and were spread there by the famous Tibetan yogi Milarepa, Gampopa, and Phagmodrupa. The Drikung Kagyu tradition goes back to the heart disciple of Phagmodrupa, Drikung Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön (1143-1217).

The Drikung tradition is known for its profound meditation practices, especially Mahamudra meditation. Jigten Sumgön’s teaching of the “Single Intention” (Tib. Gongchik) succinctly summarizes the essence of the teachings. Another main text of the tradition is the “Essence of the Mahayana Teachings” (Tib. Thekchen Tenpe Nyingpo) by Zhedang Dorje, a disciple of Jigten Sumgön.

The main monastery, Drikung Thil, in central Tibet, and the monastery Jangchubling, in exile in India, form the spiritual center of the lineage. Today, the tradition is represented worldwide by spiritual teachers and centers, in particular by His Holiness the 37th Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and His Holiness the 36th Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang, the lineage holders of the Drikung tradition.

More information about the Drikung Kagyu Lineage in Germany can be found here.