After
Gampopa's passing away, his heart-son Phagmodrupa contined the lineage.
Before meeting with Lord Gampopa, Phagmodrupa, under the guidance of
many well-known masters, studied such aspects of knowledge as the sciences
of art, logic, medicine, language and metaphysics (inner meaning). In
particular, under the Jetsun Sakyapa, he made a thorough study of the
Lam Dre teachings and became renowned for his vast and profound wisdom
in these areas. He could also remain for days meditating in the state
of bliss, clarity and non-conceptualization. Due to karmic connections,
along with fortuitous causes and conditions, Phagmodrupa received the
opportunity to meet with Dharma Lord Gampopa, the Great Physician. During
one of their discussions, Phagmodrupa recounted his achievement in the
meditation state. Lord
Gampopa, who at the time was stirring a bowl of tsampa, held out a piece
of dough and said, "This dough is more useful than your realization."
At that moment, all Phagmodrupa's pride was released. Lord Gampopa then
instructed him directly, pointed out the nature of mind. Within a few
days, Phagmodrupa fully actualized the direct realization of Mahamudra.
The skin of the ordinary state was suddenly peeled away, and at that
moment Phagmodrupa said, "All my other great teachers lacked the
one word necessary." Thereafter, Phagmodrupa received the complete
lineage teachings and meditation instruction. In accord with Gampopa's
intent he emphasized the Fivefold Path of Mahamudra (bodhicitta, yidam
deity, the four kayas of guru yoga, mahamudra and dedication) which
encompasses the complete teachings of the Buddha, both sutra and tantra.
Phagmodrupa established a monastery in Central Tibet, fully transforming
that area into a sambhogakaya Buddhafield. He gathered many thousands
of disciples, among them were eight great Kagyupas who established the
Drikung, Taklung, Lingre (or Drukpa), Trobu, Martsang, Werpa and Shukseb
Kagyu orders. He also wrote several major texts, including the Phagdru
Thadru, and commentaries and explanations of sutra and tantra teachings.
The four major and eight great Kagyu lineages, acting like brothers
in one family, benefited countless sentient beings in different parts
of the world.
books
for practitioners 
After
Gampopa's passing away, his heart-son Phagmodrupa contined the lineage.
Before meeting with Lord Gampopa, Phagmodrupa, under the guidance of
many well-known masters, studied such aspects of knowledge as the sciences
of art, logic, medicine, language and metaphysics (inner meaning). In
particular, under the Jetsun Sakyapa, he made a thorough study of the
Lam Dre teachings and became renowned for his vast and profound wisdom
in these areas. He could also remain for days meditating in the state
of bliss, clarity and non-conceptualization. Due to karmic connections,
along with fortuitous causes and conditions, Phagmodrupa received the
opportunity to meet with Dharma Lord Gampopa, the Great Physician. During
one of their discussions, Phagmodrupa recounted his achievement in the
meditation state. 
Lord
Gampopa, who at the time was stirring a bowl of tsampa, held out a piece
of dough and said, "This dough is more useful than your realization."
At that moment, all Phagmodrupa's pride was released. Lord Gampopa then
instructed him directly, pointed out the nature of mind. Within a few
days, Phagmodrupa fully actualized the direct realization of Mahamudra.
The skin of the ordinary state was suddenly peeled away, and at that
moment Phagmodrupa said, "All my other great teachers lacked the
one word necessary." Thereafter, Phagmodrupa received the complete
lineage teachings and meditation instruction. In accord with Gampopa's
intent he emphasized the Fivefold Path of Mahamudra (bodhicitta, yidam
deity, the four kayas of guru yoga, mahamudra and dedication) which
encompasses the complete teachings of the Buddha, both sutra and tantra.
Phagmodrupa established a monastery in Central Tibet, fully transforming
that area into a sambhogakaya Buddhafield. He gathered many thousands
of disciples, among them were eight great Kagyupas who established the
Drikung, Taklung, Lingre (or Drukpa), Trobu, Martsang, Werpa and Shukseb
Kagyu orders. He also wrote several major texts, including the Phagdru
Thadru, and commentaries and explanations of sutra and tantra teachings.
The four major and eight great Kagyu lineages, acting like brothers
in one family, benefited countless sentient beings in different parts
of the world. 
