The Martsang Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism was founded by His Holiness Chöjé Marpa Sherab Yeshe (1134-1203) and is based on the authentic teachings of the Buddha’s sutras and tantras. Chöjé Marpa was born in Markham, East Tibet, and studied at Sangpu, the great monastic college of the Kadampa tradition. Subsequently, Chöjé Marpa studied with Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110-1170), receiving and mastering the profound secret Kagyu teachings. In 1167, Chöjé Marpa returned to Markham, where he founded the Tashi Sho monastery and established the Martsang Kagyu tradition as a union of the Kadampa and Kagyu lineages.

Chöjé Marpa’s principal student was Drogön Rinchen (1170-1249), who, in 1200 founded the Tsomdo monastery in Markham. Both Chöjé Marpa and Drogön Rinchen taught numerous students and thousands more studied the teachings at their monasteries.

Unfortunately the Martsang Kagyu Monasteries were destroyed by Mongols in 1718. While HH the 12th Gangri Karma Rinpoche rebuilt the Scientific Buddhist College and orphans’ School in 1993, sadly both of them were shut down by the Chinese Local Authority in 1997.

His Holiness the 12th Gangri Karma Rinpoche is working hard to promote the Martsang Kagyu lineage and hopes to rebuild the Martsang Kagyu Monastery in the very near future. This will give people the opportunity to study and gain a gradual and complete understanding of Buddhism as understood in the tradition of Martsang Kagyu.

We are a recognised charity and all donations support our work. With your help we can continue our pioneering education for understanding and developing our knowledge of Buddhism, within the Martsang Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism while the monastery give people the opportunity to develop their spiritual nature and to keep the historian lineage and to a peaceful power for commuity.  

You can support us in different ways, from a text or online donation to fundraising.

Every penny makes a pound and every pound will make a world of difference!
No matter how small, all donations are greatly appreciated.