Sgam-po-pa

Tibetan Buddhist monk

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July 13, 2026

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Sgam-po-pa was a prominent Tibetan Buddhist monk and disciple of Mi-la-ras-pa. He was instrumental in systematizing the teachings of the Bka’-brgyud-pa school and establishing the foundation for its future growth.1

Sgam-po-pa's most significant work is Thar-rgyan, also known as "The Jewel Ornament of Liberation". This text is an early example of the Lam Rim tradition, which presents Buddhist teachings as a gradual path toward enlightenment. The Bka’-brgyud-pa school, influenced by Sgam-po-pa, emphasized practices like hatha yoga and the concept of mahamudra, aiming to overcome dualistic thinking and achieve Buddhahood.1

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Bka’-brgyud-pa
…turn transmitted the teachings to Sgam-po-pa, whose own disciples established six separate schools of Bka’-brgyud-pa thought, known for the most part by the names of their monasteries but differing little in doctrine. Of these, the Karma-pa was, during the 15th to early 17th century, the chief rival of the now-predominant…
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…turn transmitted the teachings to Sgam-po-pa, whose own disciples established six separate schools of Bka’-brgyud-pa thought, known for the most part by the names of their monasteries but differing little in doctrine. Of these, the Karma-pa was, during the 15th to early 17th century, the chief rival of the now-predominant…
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Buddhism
Sa-skya-pa, Bka’-brgyud-pa, and related schools
Sgam-po-pa (1079–1153), who was Mi-la-ras-pa’s greatest disciple, systematized the school’s teaching and established the basis for its further development. His most famous work, Thar-rgyan (Tibetan: “The Jewel Ornament of Liberation”), is one of the earliest examples of the Tibetan and Mongolian Vajrayana literary tradition Lam…
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Sgam-po-pa (1079–1153), who was Mi-la-ras-pa’s greatest disciple, systematized the school’s teaching and established the basis for its further development. His most famous work, Thar-rgyan (Tibetan: “The Jewel Ornament of Liberation”), is one of the earliest examples of the Tibetan and Mongolian Vajrayana literary tradition Lam…
Read More