HH the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa teaches monks in Rumtek monastery

Letter by the 16th Karmapa, November 1977
 
Guidelines for Buddhist Studies in the Karma Kagyu School
 
 
Texts for students at a high level
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation
The Sun Disc, a commentary on the Vinaya Sutra, written by the 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorje
The Vinaya Sutra of Gunaprabha
The Madhyamaka Vehicle of the Dhagpo Kagyu Siddhas by Mikyö Dorje
The Madhyamavatara of Chandrakirti
The Heart of Realisation, a Commentary on the Abhidharmakosha by Mikyö Dorje
The Abhidharmakosha of Vasubandhu
The Ocean of Evidence through Right Realisation expounded by the 7th Karmapa Chödrak Gyamtso
The Profound Inner Meaning from the 3rd Karmapa  zab mo nang don zhes bya ba'i gzhung
The Uttara Tantra Shastra by Maitreya/ Asanga
The Hevajra Tantra of Buddha Shakyamuni, compiled by Dorje Nyingpo
The Treasure of Knowledge by Lodrö Thaye
 
 
Texts for students at average levels
The Jewel Jewellery of Liberation
The profound inner meaning of the 3rd Karmapa zab mo nang don zhes bya ba'i gzhung
The Uttara Tantra Shastra by Maitreya/ Asanga
The Hevajra Tantra of Buddha Shakyamuni, compiled by Dorje Nyingpo
 
 
Texts for students at a lower level
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation
The profound inner meaning of the 3rd Karmapa
The Uttara Tantra Shastra of Maitreya/Asanga
 
 
 
These are the different teaching programms for students of different levels in the Karma Kagyu School. With this I have clearly indicated what kind of studies are essential for a Kagyu practitioner.
 
November 1977
Karmapa
See also: The w
(Note: In each epoch practitioners are different. Those guidelines apply to the practioners of the 1970ies. They are not neccessarily adapted to our times.)