The 8 Practice Lineages

The practice of Buddhism in Tibet is encompassed by the eight major practice

traditions called in Tibet the Eight Chariots of the Practice Lineages of Tibetan
Buddhism. The Eight Chariots, or conveyances, refer to the eight major practice
lineages of Tibetan learning and attainment, traditions which can be traced directly
back through the centuries of the history of Tibet and beyond that into India. These
traditions encompass the major schools and lineages within Tibet.
The Eight Traditions, with their key scriptural sources, are as follows:
1) NYINGMA LINEAGE
The main doctrinal lineage of Kama, the Ancient Translation School known as
Nyingmapa: (Key scriptural sources include: 1) Scripture of the Great Assemblage
(dus pa mdo), 2) Guhyagarbha Tantra (sgyu phrul drwa ba), 3) Mind Section (sems
sde). In addition, the Eight Sadhanas Sections (sgrub pa sde brgyad), and the core
of Dzogchen, The Heart Essence (snying thig).) More on the Nyingma lineage
2) KADAMPA LINEAGE
Atishas lineage, the Old Kadampa School (Key scriptural sources include: The
Graded Path for the Three Types of Individuals: Lamp of the Path of Enlightenment
(byang chub lam sgron), Key Instructions of the Practices of Sixteen Spheres (thig le
bcu drug), and similar texts. Tsongkhapa and his lineage, the New Kadampa School
emphasizes philosophical doctrine.)
3) SAKYA LINEAGE
Lineage of the glorious Sakyapa: (Key scriptural sources include: The Instruction on
the Nine-fold Path and Result (lam bras).)
4) MARPA KAGY LINEAGE
The Four Major Schools and Eight Minor Schools of the lineage of the Marpa Kagy
Tradition (Key scriptural sources include: The Four Transmitted Precepts
Consolidated in One, The Path of Skillful Means, The Six Dharmas of Naropa, and
The Path of Liberation Mahamudra.)
5) SHANGPA KAGY LINEAGE
The Shangpa Kagy: (Key scriptural sources include: The Lineage of Yogi Khyungpo
Naljor, and The Teachings of the Five-fold Ultimate Reality, (mthar thug lnga ldan gyi
chos skor).)

6) Shije and Ch Lineages: Pacification of Suffering and Genuine Dharma of

Severance
Phadampa Sangyes and Machik Lapdrons lineage: (Key scriptural sources include:
Pacification of Suffering (zhi byed), and its branch teaching Genuine Dharma of
Severance (gcod), and related texts.)
7) JODRUK LINEAGE: SIX APPLICATIONS
Vajra Yoga Instruction Lineage, (Key scriptural sources include: the intention of the
root Tantras, essence of all completion stage practice (sampanakrama), Six
Applications of Kalachakra (sbyor ba yan lag drug).)
8) NYENDRUB LINEAGE: FOUR BRANCHES OF APPROACH AND
ACCOMPLISHMENT
The Great Yogi Orgyenpa Rinchenpals Lineage: (Key scriptural sources include: the
Three Vajra Instructions of Body, Speech, and Mind (rdo rje gsum gyi bsnyen
sgrub).)
Buddhism in Tibet Nyingma Kagyu Sakya Geluk