Milarepa: The Green Yogi
Milarepa (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Marpa, Milarepa and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Milarepa (Tibetan)
The enduring story of Milarepa (1052-1135) is perhaps one of the most popular stories of a Tibetan yogin. He was born in Gungthang province of Western Tibet, bordering Nepal. When he was just seven, his father passed away and his family estate was taken over by greedy relatives, who mistreated the rest of the family. He was sent by his mother to learn the dark arts in order to exact revenge on the relatives that abused them. Milarepa turned out to be a great adept in the dark arts and unleashed destruction upon the entire household and killed many.
However, he regretted his wanton destruction and so, he went in search of a means to purify the huge store of negative karma he had accumulated. At first, he sought out the Nyingma Lama Rongton, who felt that he had karmic ties with Marpa and so he was sent to seek out this master. Upon their first meeting, Marpa was aware that he had to purify his disciple’s karma and thus, Milarepa was placed under tough apprenticeship. Amongst many trials, he was made to build towers and tear them down over and over again. In the end, Marpa bestowed Milarepa with the complete transmission of the Mahamudra teachings stemming from Naropa, Maitripa and other Indian masters.
Later, Milarepa practised these teachings for many years in isolated meditational retreats. As a result, he became enlightened. He also acquired the reputation for perseverance and for his great songs of realisation. From his numerous disciples, Gampopa became his successor and lineage holder.
Deity: Marpa (Tibetan)
Marpa was a great translator who made the perilous journey to India in order to receive teachings from the great Indian masters like Naropa, Maitripa and others. He was not a monk and in fact, had a consort and children. His lineage was transmitted to Milarepa and became the basis of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way View. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
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Milarepa was a Tibetan siddha, who famously was a murderer as a young man then turned to Buddhism to become an accomplished Buddhist disciple despite his past. He is considered as one of Tibet’s most famous yogis and poets living on through his joyous, instructional songs and poetry who overcame evil with love and sin with virtue. Depicted with Marpa the translator who brought the Kagyu Lineage to Tibet. Marpa spent many years translating Buddhist scriptures and bringing the complete Buddhadharma to Tibet.
In this beautiful thangka Milarepa and Marpa is depicted also with Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden who is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. Dorje Shugden as a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings.
Thanks for sharing.