Pagmodrupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110-1170 [p127]) founder of the Pagdru Kagyu, was one of the three principal students of Gampopa. Eight of the students of Pagmodrubpa went on to found eight further schools; Drigung, Taglung, Drugpa, Yamzang, Tropu, Martsang, Yelpa and the Shugseb. These became known as the Eight Smaller Schools of the (Marpa/Dagpo) Kagyu Tradition.
The early students of Pagmodrubpa are credited with popularizing portrait paintings of the teacher. The largest grouping of early works of portrait paintings are identified as belonging to the Taglung and Drigung Kagyu.
Jeff Watt 12-2021
"The Kagyud Tradition developed from the teachings of Naropa and Maitrepa. The main founders of all the sects of the Kagyud are the three Great Masters: Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa. From these three Masters the Kagyud Lineage scattered into the four major and eight minor Lineages. It was from Gampopa's disciple, Phagmo Drupa that most of these lineages of the Kagyud Tradition came, spreading in many different directions. Presently there are four which have not faded and still exist: the Karma Kagyud, Drukpa Kagyud, Drigung Kagyud and Taglung Kagyud. The Dharma lineages of the others have become very subtle or thin (having mostly been absorbed into larger lineages)."