The Four Schools of Tibetan Buddhism

Understanding the Four Major Schools that Comprise the Paths of Tibetan Buddhism Today

1. Nyingma: Early Translations School
2. Kagyu: Oral Transmission (or “Whispered Transmission”) School
3. Sakya: “Pale Earth” (or “Grey Earth”) School
4. Gelug: “Virtuous Ones” School

Buddhism is an expansive spiritual tradition with centuries’ worth of carefully curated texts, philosophical insights, layers of scholarly history, and unique emphases and styles of practice. Understanding the differing lineages, schools, and precepts of Tibetan Buddhism can seem daunting without a familiarity with some key terms and frameworks, so we created this simple overview of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism: Nyingma (Ancient), Kagyu (Oral), Sakya (Grey Earth), and Gelug (Monastic).

Each school shares the common goal of liberation, sought by the aspiring bodhisattva, meaning a person on the path to bodhi, or “awakening.” However, each school differs in its interpretations of the path to liberation and the priority and implications of the various Buddhist texts, teachings, and practices. Understanding even a little about these four major schools can enrich your perspective and inform your journey on your path to awakening.

 1. Nyingma: Early Translations School

Nyingma is the oldest of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, tracing its roots to the earliest translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit to Tibetan in the eighth century BCE.

What does Nyingma mean?

The name “Nyingma” derives from the Tibetan “nying,” meaning “old” or “ancient.” The most accurate English translation of Nyingma is “the early translation school,” which does not refer to the school’s practitioners but rather to the nature and origins of its translations and texts. 

^Paro Taktsang, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro Bhutan^ is a functioning monastery and holy site where Guru Rinpoche himself meditated.

Name of creator: Goran Hoglund
Copyright notice: (c) 2011
License notice: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Disclaimer notice: No rights are claimed in this photo.
Link to the materials: Bhutan – Taktsang Monastery “Tiger´s nest” | 4 Exposures (-1… | Flickr 

This Nyingma path of Dzogchen encourages practitioners to recognize the innate purity of the mind, transcending conceptual thoughts and dualities. The Nyingma school encompasses a vast array of texts known as the Nyingma Gyubum, which covers a spectrum of teachings, rituals, and commentaries. The spiritual practices within the Nyingma tradition, like those of all four schools, involve the recitation of mantras, visualization of deities, and the use of ritual implements.

However, one of Nyingma’s unique features is the system of the “Nine Yanas.” Yanas can be considered vehicles, methods, or modes of practice. Each Yana can be studied and practiced independently. They are also approached as successive steps, which, when completed, culminate in the pinnacle of enlightenment.

2. Kagyu: Oral Transmission (or “Whispered Transmission) School 

The name of the Kagyu school derives from the original Tibetan, translating roughly to “oral lineage” or “whispered transmission.” Its roots trace back to Buddha Shakyamuni, but its lineage begins with the great Indian yogis Tilopa and Naropa and the Tibetan Marpa Lotsawa and his famous yogi disciple, Milarepa. Their approach places special significance on experiential realization through practice, with the pinnacle realization being “Mahamudra.”

Mahamudra, meaning the “Great Seal,” is a form of meditation aiming to directly realize the nature of the mind. Practitioners engage in a progressive series of meditation techniques, guided by a qualified teacher, to uncover ultimate truth. The Kagyu school is renowned for emphasizing the direct experience of enlightenment rather than intellectual study alone.

Within the Kagyu School, there are several sub-schools, each with its own unique practices and emphases. Notable among them is the Karma Kagyu lineage, with the Karmapa serving as a central figure. The Karmapa is considered an enlightened being and is crucial in guiding practitioners along the path of realization. Some works and sacred texts which belong more exclusively to the Kagyu school and distinguish it from others are the works of Marpa, the Vajra Songs of Milarepa, the collected works of Gampopa, of the Karmapas, Drikung Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon, and Drukpa Kunkhyen Pema Karpo.

3. Sakya: Pale Earth (or “Grey Earth”) School

The name “Sakya” translates from Tibetan to mean “Pale (or Grey) Earth,” referring to the terrain near Shigatse, Tibet, in the Sakya region. What largely separates this school from others is the prioritization of systematic scholarly study, ritual practices, and the transmission of wisdom and insights within a clearly defined familial lineage to preserve the integrity of its traditions.

The Sakya teachings are divided into three main categories: the Sutras, which consist of Buddha’s basic teachings; the Tantras, which include esoteric rituals and practices; and the Sastras, which are commentaries written by Sakya masters. The Sakya tradition emphasizes integrating these three categories to provide a holistic understanding of Buddhist philosophy.

Of the precepts that define and guide the Sakya, the teaching of Lamdre, meaning roughly “The Path and its Fruit,” is a comprehensive and structured path central to the school. The school is led by the Sakya Trizin, “Holder of the Sakya Throne.” The criteria for this position is being a direct male descendant of the Khon family lineage. In the past, the “Holder of the Throne” was a lifetime position, but today, it has become a three-year position that rotates between the next generation of male offspring from two families.

4. Gelug: “Virtuous Ones” School

Gelug is the newest and now largest school of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in the 14th century by Tsongkhapa, Gelug is characterized by an ascetic life of monastic discipline and rigorous philosophical study to cultivate a virtuous and ethical interior self. 

Tsongkhapa, the renowned teacher and founder, wished to breathe new life into Buddhist monastic traditions and restore the strict observance of the Vinaya ethical code. In addition to the rigorous monastic lifestyle, the central teachings are the Lamrim, the structured “Stages of the Path to Enlightenment” derived predominantly from the teachings of 11th-century Indian master Atisha.

The Gelug school prizes the classical texts, particularly those of Indian philosopher Nagarjuna and other Madhyamaka scholars. Central to this school is the study of Prasangika Madhyamaka, a sophisticated sub-practice within Madhyamaka that focuses on critical analysis and refutation of inherent existence.

The Four Schools of Tibetan Buddhism, each with unique teachings and practices, contribute to Buddhist thought’s diverse and profound landscape. Whether one is drawn to the nine yanas system with its pinnacle of Dzogchen of the Nyingma, the experiential practices of the Kagyu, the scholarly traditions of the Sakya, or the disciplined monastic path of the Gelug, Tibetan Buddhism offers a diverse array of paths toward enlightenment. 

Through centuries of dedicated practice, these schools have preserved and propagated the wisdom of the Buddha, leaving an indelible mark on the spiritual heritage of Tibet and beyond.

How the Namchak Lineage fits within the Four Schools of Tibetan Buddhism

Buddhism has three main branches or paths,” Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. The Vajrayana path is a subset of the Mahayana path, and it includes Tibetan Buddhism. Within Tibetan Buddhism, there are the four main schools we discussed in this article: Nyingma (Early Translation tradition), Kagyu (Oral tradition), Sakya (“Grey Earth” tradition), and Gelug (Monastic tradition).

Namchak is a lineage within the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. Each lineage of Tibetan Buddhism has distinct stories, teachings, and ceremonies for achieving the enlightenment of self and others. This is similar to how Christian denominations follow varying liturgies and practices while still practicing Christianity.

To learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and its profound principles, here’s a link to one of our most popular articles about the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism

If you want to stay in touch and receive monthly wisdom and news from the Namchak Community, please subscribe to our newsletter below to join our community!