Himalayan Art Resources

Tradition: Kagyu Protectors (Taglung, Drigung & Drugpa)

Kagyu Iconography Page

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Kagyu Protectors Outline Page
- Taglung
- Drigung
- Drugpa
- Karma Khamtsang
- Protector Deities: Traditions & Schools
- Protector Deities Main Page
- Confusions
- Others...

Video: Taglung, Drigung & Drugpa Kagyu Protectors

The principal protector of the early Kagyu traditions is Chaturbhuja Mahakala, with one face and four hands. There is also a form of Shri Devi named Dudsol Wangchugma originating with the mahasiddha Naropa. The list of deities below only represents the most important protector deities that are shared between all four of the surviving Kagyu traditions originating with Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa.

The Marpa/Dagpo Kagyu traditions share all of the most popular 'new' school protector deity traditions along with the Kadam and Sakya. The three, Taglung, Drigung and Drugpa, all have their own specialized or regionally localized deities. For the Drigung tradition a unique protector is Achi Chokyi Drolma.

List of Deities:
- Chaturbhuja Mahakala
- Kakamukha Mahakala
- Panjara Mahakala (Ngog Tradition)
- Shri Devi Dudsol Wangchugma
- Tashi Tseringma
- Others...

Jeff Watt 10-2020

(The images below are only a selection of examples from the links above).