Tibetan Buddhist teacher and founder of the Kagyu lineage
1012 CE
to 1097 CE
Marpa Lotsawa (1012–1097), sometimes known fully as Lhodak Marpa Choski Lodos or commonly as Marpa the Translator, is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher credited with the transmission of many Vajrayana teachings from India, including the teachings and lineages of Mahamudra.
Due to this the Kagyu lineage, which he founded, is often called Marpa Kagyu in his honor.
Although some accounts relate that the Mahasiddha Naropa was the personal teacher of Marpa, other accounts suggest that Marpa held Naropa's lineage through intermediary disciples only.
Either way, Marpa was a personal student of the Mahasiddha Maitripa.