THE GOLDEN KAGYU GARLAND

Excerpts from the Biography of Marpa by Tsang Nyon Heruka

Marpa (1012-1097) was born in South Tibet and embraced Buddhism at an early age. He studied Sanskrit with the Sakyapa Lama Drogmi. After his studies he sold all his possessions for gold and set out for India.

He journeyed through Nepal where he met two of Naropa's disciples who impressed him so much that he decided to meet him.

He became a disciple of Naropa and received teachings from him over a period of many years. He also studied with other well-known Indian masters such as Jnanagarbha, Kukuripa and Maitripa.

Upon his return to Tibet Marpa spent many years translating the Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan. He and his wife Dagmema lived at Lhodrag in South Tibet with their sons. Marpa became a well-known translator and guided a group of disciples whom he gave the quintessence of the teachings that he had practised and mastered.

Marpa made yet another two journeys to India in order to bring back further teachings to Tibet. Upon his return from the second journey, Milarepa, who was to become known as Tibet's great yogi, became his disciple. Marpa passed away at the age of eighty-six.

Milarepa (1052-1135)