Kagyu Ling was established in 1975 by Karma Thinley Rinpoche and Lama Jampa Thaye and was the first Buddhist centre to be founded in Manchester. There are now 18 centres and groups throughout the UK, as well as Centres in Germany; USA and Mexico. Together they make up the Dechen Community. Kagyu Ling provides opportunities for people to learn the systems of meditation and study of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Buddhism whose spiritual head is the Karmapa Lama.