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Name:
Shangpa Kagyu (Tibetan: shangs pa bka' brgyud) named after the location of where the founder Kedrub Kyungpo Naljor resided after returning from India.

Nominal Founder:
Kedrub Kyungpo Naljor (1050-1127 ?)

Founding Date:
11th Century

Founding Location:
Shang Shang Dorje Den Monastery (shangs shangs rdo rje ldan), Shang Valley, Tsang, Tibet, China.

Family Association: -

Head of Shangpa Kagyu: (The Shangpa no longer exists as an independent tradition and therefore does not have a leader or a head teacher. The main teachings of the Shangpa have been taken into the Sakya, Jonang, Marpa Kagyu and Gelug Traditions of Tibetan Buddhism).

Religious Doctrine:
Mahayana Buddhism: Sutrayana & Tantrayana (Vajrayana).

Philosophical School:
Middle Way - Madyamaka School.

Principal Tantric Teachings:
1) Five Golden Doctrines (shangs pa gser chos lnga)
2) Five Deity Tantra
3) Five Deity Chakrasamvara (Niguma Tradition)
4) Six Dharmas of Niguma
5) Avalokiteshvara Mar Tri (Kyergang Tradition)
7) Hayagriva (Secret Accomplishment)

Principal Protectors:
1) Shadbhuja Mahakala & Five Retinue Attendants,
2) Shadbhuja Mahakala - White, Green, Red, Yellow, etc.
3) Kshetrapala.

Early teachers:
Mogchogpa, Kyergangpa, Nyanton, Sanggye Tonpa.

Later Teachers:
Tang Tong Gyalpo, Gyurme Dechen, Dolpopa, Taranata, Katog Tsewang Norbu, Jamyang Kyentse Wangpo, Jamgon Kongtrul, Miscellaneous Teachers

Teachers Commonly Represented in Art:
Kedrub Kyungpo Naljor, Sukhasiddhi, Niguma, Tang Tong Gyalpo, Gyurme Dechen, Dolpopa, Taranata, Katog Tsewang Norbu, Jamyang Kyentse Wangpo, Jamgon Kongtrul, Miscellaneous Teachers

Sub-schools/Branch Schools: -

Heads of Sub-schools/Branch Schools: -

Tibetan Monasteries & Temples:
Shangshong Dorjedan in Shang, Chakar in Penyul, Tsadra Rinchen Drag (rtsa 'dra rin chen brag) & Dzongsho Desheg Dupa (rdzong shod bde gshegs bdus pa) - the last two are in
the Dege region of Kham, Eastern Tibet.

Associated Traditions & Schools:
Sakya, Jonang, Shalu/Bulug, Marpa Kagyu, Chagzam.

Special Symbols or Identifiable Visual Forms:
Shadbhuja Mahakala, White Khechari & Red Khechari.

Jeff Watt 1-2010