The eight great chariots refer to the eight lineages of accomplishment, Tib. sgrub brgyud shing rta chen po brgyad, described in Dudjom Rinpoche's History (pp 852-3) as the Nyingmapa, Kadampa, Path and Fruit, Marpa Kagyupa, Shangpa Kagyupa, Kalachakra, Padampa Sangye's lineage of Pacification and Object of Cutting, and the Oddiyana Tradition of Service and Attainment. Matthieu says eight main chariots of the teachings. This is presumably the sgrub brgyud shing rta chen po brgyad, which Dorje and Kapstein call the eight great conveyances or lineages of attainment, and list as follows: the Nyingmapa, Kadampa, Path and Fruit, Marpa Kagyupa, Shangpa Kagyupa, Kalachakra, Pacification and Object of Cutting (Padampa Sangye's lineage) and the Oddiyana Tradition of Service and Attainment (transmitted from the Vajra Queen to Orgyenpa) see Dudjom History p. 852-3. The tape (Tib.tape IB 1429) says shing rta chen po brgyad, what precedes is not entirely clear but does not seem to be sgrub brgyud. JKR: yes, this is the same. [ZT, 2006, translator's notes]