V. Ven Kalu Rinpoche (1st Kalu Rinpoche)

Karma Rangjung Künchab • 1905-1989

Biographical Details:

• Born in Kham province, Eastern Tibet

• Heart son and close disciple of Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thayé the Great

• Completed traditional three-year retreat at age 25

• Served as retreat master for over 12 years at Palpung Monastery

• Lineage Significance: Holder of both Shangpa Kagyu and Karma Kagyu transmissions

Geographical Journey:

• 1955: Fled Tibet during Chinese occupation

• 1962: Established Sonada Monastery (Samdrup Darjay Choling) in Darjeeling, India

• Early 1970s: First visits to Europe and North America

• 1974: Founded Kagyu Dharma centers across the West

Transmission Legacy:

• Shangpa Kagyu: Complete Six Yogas of Naropa, Mahamudra teachings

• Karma Kagyu: Traditional meditation practices, retreat protocols

• Innovation: Adapted three-year retreat system for Western students

• Direct Western Students: Lama Michael Conklin, Ken McLeod, Lama Ole Nydahl

H.H. 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje

1924-1981

Biographical Details:

• Born in Denkhok, Eastern Tibet

• Recognized and enthroned at Tsurphu Monastery age 8

• Lineage Significance: 16th incarnation, head of Karma Kagyu lineage

Geographical Journey:

• 1959: Fled Tibet, established seat at Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim

• 1974-1980: Multiple teaching tours to Europe and North America

• Connection to Lineage: Blessed and supported Kalu Rinpoche's Western mission

Transmission Legacy:

• Maintained Karma Kagyu lineage during exile period

• Authorized establishment of Western dharma centers

• Recognized importance of preserving teachings outside Tibet

H.H. 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Born 1985

Biographical Details:

• Born in Bakor, Eastern Tibet

• Recognized by Tai Situ Rinpoche and confirmed by Dalai Lama

• Current Role: Head of Karma Kagyu lineage

Geographical Journey:

• 1992: Enthroned at Tsurphu Monastery, Tibet

• 2000: Dramatic escape to India via Nepal

• Present: Based at Gyuto Monastery, Dharamshala, India

Transmission Legacy:

• Supports global Karma Kagyu community

• Blessing for continued Western dharma development

• Bridge between traditional and contemporary Buddhist practice

H.H. Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso

Born 1935

Biographical Details:

• Born in Taktser, Amdo province, Tibet

• 14th Dalai Lama, recognized age 2

• Lineage Connection: Gelug tradition, but supporter of all Tibetan Buddhist schools

Geographical Journey:

• 1959: Fled to India, established government-in-exile

• Dharamshala: Primary residence since 1960

• Global Presence: Worldwide teacher, Nobel Peace Prize 1989

Transmission Legacy:

• Confirmed recognition of current Kalu Rinpoche

• Advocate for preservation of all Tibetan Buddhist lineages

• Blessed East-West dharma transmission

V. Ven. Bokar Rinpoche Chokyi Lodrö

1940-2004

Biographical Details:

• Born in Kham, Eastern Tibet (2nd incarnation of his line)

• Heart-son relationship: Closest disciple and dharma heir of Kalu Rinpoche

• Lineage Significance: Inherited position as main Shangpa Kagyu lineage holder

Geographical Journey:

• Early years: Studied at Palpung Monastery, Tibet

• 1959: Escaped to India with Kalu Rinpoche

• Established: Bokar Monastery in Mirik, West Bengal, India

• Teaching circuits: Regular visits to Europe and North America

Transmission Legacy:

• Shangpa Kagyu: Primary lineage holder after Kalu Rinpoche's passing

• Innovation: Established annual International Mahamudra Seminars

• Direct transmission to: Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche, current Kalu Rinpoche

• Western connections: Taught Lama Michael Conklin and international students

Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche

Contemporary master

Biographical Details:

• Student relationship: Studied with Bokar Rinpoche for 50 years

• Scholarly achievement: Renowned author and commentator

• Teaching role: Co-taught at Bokar Rinpoche's side for decades

Geographical Base:

• Primary residence: Bokar Monastery, Mirik, West Bengal, India

• Teaching reach: Continues International Mahamudra Seminars globally

• Western visits: Regular teaching tours to Europe and North America

Transmission Legacy:

• Continuation: Resumed Bokar International Mahamudra Seminars in 2007

• Authorization: Blessed by H.H. Karmapa to continue lineage

• Direct Western transmission: Teacher of Lama Michael Conklin and Lama Eric Triebelhorn

• Innovation: Adapts traditional teachings for contemporary practitioners

Lama Michael Conklin

Born 1940s, Portland, Oregon

Biographical Details:

• Background: Philosophy degree from UC Berkeley

• Pre-dharma life: Ran gourmet cheese shop "Cheshire Cheese and Mad Hatter Tea" in San Francisco

• Dharma entry: Met Kalu Rinpoche in 1974

Geographical Journey:

• 1974: Helped establish Kalu Rinpoche's San Francisco center

• 1980s: Enrolled in three-year retreat, Marcola, Oregon under Lama Tsang Tsing

• 1989: Completed three-year Shangpa Kagyu retreat

• 1993-2019: Resident Lama at Kagyu Changchub Chuling, Portland

• 2001: Established 240-acre retreat center near Goldendale, Washington

Transmission Received:

• Direct from Kalu Rinpoche: Complete Shangpa Kagyu transmission

• From Bokar Rinpoche: Advanced Mahamudra instructions (annual authorization since 2001)

• From Khenpo Lodro Donyo: Scholarly and practical guidance

Transmission Given:

• Retreat leadership: Led one-year retreat, co-led three-year retreat (2015-2018)

• Primary student: Lama Lekshe (Julia King Tamang)

• Innovation: Developed sustainable retreat center model for Western students

• Current status: Retired, residing in Washington state

Lama Lekshe (Julia King Tamang)

Contemporary Western teacher

Biographical Details:

• Background: University teacher and college consultant

• Dharma entry: Began practicing Tibetan Buddhism in 1994, Portland

• Family: Mother to son Jens, took refuge with him in small ceremony

Geographical Journey:

• Practice locations: Portland, Oregon; Nepal; India

• 2018: Completed three-year Shangpa Kagyu retreat

• Retreat period: Temporary residence at Great Vow Monastery

• Hospice period: Taught from mother's home in Eugene, Oregon during home hospice care

• Current: Northeast Portland practice space

Transmission Received:

• Three lineage streams: Bokar Rinpoche, Khenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche, Lama Michael Conklin

• Complete training: Traditional three-year retreat under Lama Michael and Lama Tara Goforth

• Cultural immersion: Extended practice periods in Nepal and India

Transmission Given:

• Community founding: Established Dekeling in 2018

• Student range: Practitioners from early twenties to eighties

• Geographic reach: Students from Ireland to Atlanta, Georgia (via streaming)

• Innovation: Seamlessly integrated online and in-person community during pandemic

Founded 2018, Portland, Oregon

Community Characteristics:

• Name meaning: "A place of happiness" (Tibetan: day-kay-ling)

• Foundation story: "Delightfully old school" - formed like traditional practice groups

• Geographic reach: Local Portland community plus international online participants

Lineage Integration:

• Traditional elements: Age-old Tibetan practices, authentic retreat training

• Contemporary adaptation: Realistic approach to modern spiritual seeking

• Cultural bridge: Maintains Tibetan authenticity while serving Western practitioners

TRANSMISSION TIMELINE

Phase 1: Tibetan Foundation (1905-1970)

• Kalu Rinpoche's training in Tibet

• Preservation of lineage during Chinese occupation

• Establishment of exile communities in India

Phase 2: East-West Bridge (1970-1990)

• First Western teaching tours

• Establishment of Western dharma centers

• Training of first generation Western students

Phase 3: Western Integration (1990-2010)

• Completion of Western three-year retreats

• Authorization of Western teachers

• Development of sustainable Western dharma communities

Phase 4: Contemporary Continuity (2010-Present)

• Second generation Western teachers

• Integration of traditional and contemporary methods

• Global community through digital technology

Shangpa Kagyu Specifics:

• Root practices: Six Yogas of Naropa, Mahamudra meditation

• Unique transmission: From dakinis Sukhasiddhi and Niguma

• Retreat emphasis: Traditional three-year, three-month, three-day structure

• Preservation: Maintained through intensive retreat training

Karma Kagyu Integration:

• Meditation emphasis: Direct experience over intellectual study

• Oral transmission: Person-to-person teaching relationship

• Flexibility: Adaptation to student needs and cultural contexts

• Community: Balance of individual practice and group support

East-West Synthesis:

• Authentic preservation: Core teachings unchanged

• Cultural adaptation: Methods suited to Western psychology and lifestyle

• Technological integration: Online community building during global disruption

• Institutional innovation: Sustainable models for long-term dharma preservation

GEOGRAPHIC LINEAGE MAP

Traditional Centers:

• Tibet → India (Sonada, Mirik) → Global network

Western Transmission:

• San Francisco → Portland → Goldendale, WA → Northeast Portland

Current Reach:

• Physical: Portland, Oregon community

• Digital: International online sangha

• Future: Sustainable model for continued transmission