Naropa received these teachings from Tilopa and then transmitted the supreme oral instructions on the innermost essence of Cakrasamvara and Vajravarahi (Vajrayogini) to Marpa and restricted this teaching to a single lineage holder for thirteen generations. A text that seems to summarize these teachings that Marpa received is the Karnatantra-vajrapada, authored by Naropa. Milarepa received these teachings from Marpa and gave them to Gampopa who later gave them to Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa. This continued up to Trung Mase Lodro Rinchen, who was a disciple of the fifth Karmapa, Dezhin Shegpa. Trung Mase belonged to the thirteenth generation and thus became the first guru to transmit this particular lineage of mahamudra teachings to more than a single dharma successor. This is pursuant to the ancient prophecy of Mahasidha Tilopa who made a pledge that he himself would return after the teachings had been transmitted through thirteen successive lineage holders, to teach the teachings widely. Therefore, Trung Mase is in fact the emanation of Tilopa, as acknowledged by the fifth Karmapa.

Following the instruction of his guru to benefit beings, Trung Mase went to Kham to establish a monastery on particular site on which two great rivers converge before flowing steadily downhill, where the terrain resembled a red horse that was split open. In accordance with the prediction of Dorje Narjolma, this was the precise location of Cakrasamvara's Speech Abode, and is auspiciously blessed by the deity to ensure the complete success of spiritual practice. On one occasion, prior to the construction of a retreat center on this site, when Trung Mase inquired as to where his attendant had disposed of the torma to appease the protecting deities of the region, the reply was that of "a place with many corners" - that was how Zurmang Monastery derived its name. Zurmang literally means "many corners". Trungmase Lodro Rinchen then became the supreme leader of the Zurmang Kagyud.