Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorje (1161–1211) set the wheels in motion for the Drukpa Kagyu tradition. A student of Ling Repa’s teachings, he hit the ground running after meeting Lopon Repa, a disciple in the Naropa lineage. By his early thirties, tales of miraculous thunderstorms and soaring eagles swirling above his retreat cemented his reputation—and inspired the very name “Druk,” meaning “Thunder Dragon.”

Establishing Ralung Monastery in Tibet, Tsangpa Gyare wove together meditation practices and devotional rituals, ensuring students didn’t just read the teachings but lived them. The landmark moment came when eight close disciples were recognized as emanations of past masters—an event still celebrated in Drukpa circles today. That “eight manifestations” episode felt like drawing an ace out of the deck, demonstrating the living continuity of the lineage.

Fast-forward to modern times, and the Drukpa Kagyu tradition spreads from the high passes of the Himalayas to bustling metropolises. In Bhutan—literally the Land of the Thunder Dragon—Drukpa institutions shape education, environmental conservation, and cultural life under the patronage of the royal family. The current Gyalwang Drukpa, while carrying forward ancient wisdom, has also become a global voice for river clean-ups and women’s empowerment, showing that centuries-old lineages can adapt and thrive in today’s world.

When the story of Drukpa Kagyu gets told, it’s never just about one teacher’s insight; it’s about a living thread linking past masters, mountain retreats, and urban activists. And at its very start stands Tsangpa Gyare, whose vision sparked a branch of Tibetan Buddhism that still resonates thousands of years later—proof that a single spark can light up an entire mountain range.