Milarepa, Tibet's Yogi

Milarepa is known as Tibet's greatest yogi, and is a source of great inspiration to me. He is said to be the first to achieve full enlightenment within one lifetime. In a superhuman effort, he rose above the miseries of his younger life and with the help of his Guru, Marpa the Translator, took to a solitary life of meditation until he had achieved enlightenment, thus escaping Samsara (the whirlpool of life and death of worldly existence). In this way, he was very much a jivanmukta.

His story is of particular inspiration to me now as I reflect on the meaning of moksha (liberation). For a variety of reasons, this has become prominent in my current thinking and reflection.....to the point of motivating me to get it tattooed. In three days. :)   More to come........For now, a picture: मोक्ष

As it happens, there will be a premier of a movie about Milarepa coming up in two weeks. It is part of the International Buddhist Film Festival, which is coming to the Smithsonian. All March, we can watch spectacular Tibetan Buddhism films, some premiering for the first time, at the Sackler Gallery's Meyer Auditorium.  For a full schedule, check out: Tibetan Buddhism: Films from Around the World – March  

MILAREPA: Magician, Murderer Saint
This is a vividly told, captivating story of Milarepa, the man who would become Tibet’s greatest yogi, poet and saint (and a major figure in the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism). In the dramatic setting of 11th century Tibet, the young Milarepa falls into a world of betrayal and hardships. The greed of others upturns his privileged life, dropping him into a void of despair, humiliation, pain and anger, and he sets out to exact revenge.  Filmed on location in breathtakingly scenic Spiti, India, near the Tibetan border. Directed by Tibetan Buddhist lama Neten Chokling (co-star of the hit film The Cup) and starring Jamyang Lodro and Orgyen Tobgyal (both featured in The Cup).
Neten Chokling / Bhutan / 2006 / 90 min. / Producer to attend for Q&A

In Tibetan with English subtitles

"If you lose all differentiation between yourselves and others,
fit to serve others you will be.

And when in serving others you will win success,
then shall you meet with me;

And finding me, you shall attain to Buddhahood."



Milarepa