Introduction of Buddhism in Tibet

Buddhism was first introduced to Tibet, (The land of the snow) in fourth century at the time of King Lha Thotho Ri and permanently established as the state religion during the golden reign of the King Songtsen Gampo.

The doctrine was further expanded during the reign of the King Tri-Song Deutsen, in the 8th century when the king invited the greatest Indian Vajrayana Buddhist master Guru Padma Sambhabva and Acharya Bhikhu Shanta Rakshita from India. The subsequent development in the following centuries of the doctrine witnessed the emergence of the Four Buddhist schools of Tibet, namely, Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and the Geluk.

The Kagyu lineage is classified into four major eight minor sub-schools. The source of this lineage originated in the teachings bestowed on Marpa, the king of translators, by great Indian Buddhist Maha Sidha, Naropa, the heart disciple of Great Tilopa.