 |
| Jetsun Milarepa |
From the Gungthang province of Western Tibet, close to Nepal, Milarepa (1052-1135) had a hard childhood and a dark youth.
He was only seven when his father died. Relatives, his uncle, and his aunt had taken over his father’s property and mistreated the bereaved family.
His mother, bitter, sent Milarepa to train in black magic, to wreak revenge on those who had blighted her life. She was given her wish – Milarepa proved adept at the dark practices he was taught.
He was granted supreme black magic practice by renowned Yonten Gyatso (the 4th Dalailama had the same name), transmitted from the master to a student only once in a lifetime.
He learned the magical art of destruction, Zadok Marnak, and undertook a two-week retreat for spells and incantations. At his request in this meditation, the destructive dark spirits brought him 35 heads of people from his village.
After the retreat, Milarepa proceeded to his home village and unleashed a tide of destruction, killing 35 people in one magically created heavy hail and thunderstorm.
Mahamudra and Tantric teachings
Milarepa eventually came to regret his terrible crimes, and to expiate their karmic effects, and he set out to train with a Buddhist master:
I was filled with remorse for the evil I had done by magic and hailstorms. My longing for the Dharma so obsessed me that I forgot to eat. If I went out, I wanted to stay in. If I stayed in, I wanted to go out. At night sleep escaped me. I dared not confess my sadness or longing for emancipation to the lama. While I remained in his service, I ardently asked myself again and again how I might practice the true teaching.
After great difficulties, his destined Tantric Master, Marpa, the Translator, empowered Milarepa into numerous advanced Tantric teachings, most known is the "tummo fire" practice.
Milarepa spent his entire adult life meditating in remote areas of Tibet and Nepal and attained complete liberation, total freedom in one life.
See also:
- Milarepa's song of threes >>
- Mahasiddha Milarepa >> (Milarepa's mantra is shared in this blog)
