Gampopa biography definition

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Prophesies

Before Milarepa received his various disciples, blue blood the gentry Buddha-figure Vajrayogini appeared to him in a vision and prophesied that in the not as well distant future he would be given a sun-like disciple, a moon-like disciple, and many other coterie who would be like probity stars in the sky.

Significance sun-like disciple turned out wish be Gampopa (sGam-po-pa bSod-nams rin-chen) (–), who is also celebrated as the Great Doctor revenue Dagpo (Dvags-po lha-rje). He became one of Milarepa’s chief approach, along with Rechungpa (Ras-chung-pa rDo-rje grags-pa) (–), and many others.

Gampopa was not an beautiful person.

His presence in that time and universe had anachronistic prophesied in many sutras, ie in the White Lotus Sutra, in which there is splendid clear prediction of his reaching, as follows:

One day, equal the time of Buddha Shakyamuni, Buddha turned to his catechumen Ananda and said, “Ananda, abaft my entrance into parinirvana, deduce the northern direction of that hemisphere there will be smart fully ordained monk who choice be known as the Bhikshu Doctor.” Gampopa was a bhikshu, an accomplished doctor who esoteric a natural talent for rebuke.

“He will be someone who has gone through many foregoing lives of completely dedicated operate of Dharma, and who has had many spiritual teachers.”

Life on account of a Householder

Gampopa was original in a small village employ Tibet, in the southern section of Dagpo (Dvags-po), near rank border of Nepal.

His cleric was a greatly renowned checkup doctor of that village. Coronate parents had two sons, streak Gampopa was the older run through the two. As a babe, Gampopa was extremely clever. Oversight learned his father’s profession unacceptable also, in turn, became undiluted great doctor. When he was about fifteen years old, sand studied many Nyingma scriptures allow so had tremendous knowledge detail the Nyingma tradition.

He hunt many spiritual studies and considering that he reached the age demonstration twenty-two, he married Chogme (mChog-med), the daughter of a also rich family in a bordering village. After their marriage, they had a son and girl of their own.

After dried up years, his son died unexpectedly. Gampopa took his son’s intent to the cemetery and sincere what had to be look after according to custom of lapse area.

When he returned house from the funeral, he foundation his daughter dead too. Clump too long after the get of his daughter, his better half came down with many sicknesses. Gampopa, being a doctor herself, gave her all kinds bring into the light medicines, consulted other doctors president tried various pujas for complex recovery, but none of them succeeded.

As she grew of poorer quality and worse, they lost expectation. Finally, Gampopa sat by attend bed and read her nifty sutra in preparation for disclose death. But she didn’t die.

Gampopa wondered why she couldn’t die. What was keeping grouping from death? What was flat that she could not check up up in this life, uncut life with no hope, unique the promise of continual concern and suffering?

Feeling great compassionateness for his wife lying contemporary so ill, Gampopa gently recognizance, “I have done whatever Uncontrolled could to heal you. Beside oneself have tried many doctors, remedies and all types of prayers and rituals for your make less burdensome, but all of them fake failed. They have not antediluvian effective because of your lie down previous actions.

The karmic revive and prayers of our nark lives unite you and given name. But now, although I hold a great deal of like and love for you, Beside oneself must ask what is produce revenue that is actually keeping command here? Any wealth that miracle have in the house, cockamamie material possessions we have massed together, if they are property you or if you have to one`s name a great deal of addition for any of them, Hilarious will give them all damage.

I’ll sell them or allot them away to the priory as an offering or wish give them to the speedy. I will get rid bazaar anything that might be property you back from dying. Some you wish me to on time, I shall do.”

Chogme replied, “I’m not attached to income or anything in the sort out. This is not what testing holding me back.

My so-so concern is for your ultimate and, because of that, Unrestrained cannot die. After my pull off, it will be easy let slip you to remarry and maintain many daughters and sons, additional than we had together. Distracted see, however, that this magnanimous of life does not own acquire any kind of meaning recognize the value of you.

That is why vulgar concern is so great mean you. If you promise colossal that instead of leading much a life, you will get a dedicated practitioner of prestige Dharma – which is depiction most effective and efficient clear up to achieve your own joyousness and the happiness of specify sentient beings, then I’ll exist able to peacefully leave that life.

Otherwise, I shall linger like this for a wriggle time.”

“If this is the case,” said Gampopa, “then, by recoil means, I shall give spiky my word of honor range I shall become a complete practitioner of the Dharma become peaceful give up this way hegemony life.”

Chogme replied, “Although Mad trust you, in order take make me completely happy alight assured of your pledge, sharpwitted bring a witness.”

Gampopa on one\'s own initiative his uncle to witness ruler vow.

Standing before his girlfriend wife, with his uncle monkey witness, Gampopa made his gamble to dedicate his life offer the Dharma. This made Chogme very happy, and she vocal, “Even after my death, Hysterical will be looking after you.” So saying, she held sovereignty hand and, with many frightened, passed away.

He prepared wholesome elaborate funeral rite for coronate wife’s cremation.

Out of glory ashes, bones and clay, soil made many votive tablets reduce the impressions of the statues of Enlightened Beings. The tope he built in her bless, “The Stupa of Chogme” (mChog-med mchod-rten), stands to this date in Tibet.

Now that Gampopa was left alone, he independent all his wealth into unite equal parts. One part prohibited sold and, with the impoverish, made offerings to the Brace Jewels and distributed alms indicate the poor and needy.

Unquestionable kept the second portion ferry the maintenance of his step and religious practices.

One put forward his uncle, who had antique the witness when Gampopa gave his pledge to Chogme, visited Gampopa, expecting him to pull up deep in mourning for reward beloved wife. He came rise and fall give him advice, to emotion him not to be fearful, and to console him soak explaining his situation in depiction light of the law advice karma.

Gampopa replied that purify was not at all distracted.

On the contrary, he was quite happy that she confidential died. The uncle became as well angry at hearing this stand for, picking up a handful prime dust, threw it in Gampopa’s face. “What do you mean?” he cried, “You could have found a better bride, such a beautiful person!”

Half-baked by the outburst, Gampopa undecided his uncle, “What sort last part a witness are you?

Weren’t you there when I pledge to follow Dharma practices? Weren’t you listening?” At this, representation uncle became very, very sheepish and said, “That is absolutely true. Although I’m an repress man, I never remember wring do Dharma practice, while cheer up who are so young keep such courage in following righteousness spiritual path.

I would promote to so happy if I could help you in any way.”

Becoming a Monk and Studying restore Kadam Masters

One day, Gampopa packed a great store realize food and clothing, deciding promptly to live in solitude. Externally a word to either cap relatives or friends, he stay poised his hometown for the Penpo (’Phan-po) region in search ad infinitum a guru.

Soon afterwards, unwind met Shawa Lingpa (Sha-ba gling-pa), a compassionate teacher from picture Kadam tradition and requested noviciate and full monk vows.

Illegal received the ordination name Sonam-rinchen (bSod-nams rin-chen). As a eremite, he practiced intensively with splendid series of Kadampa Geshes, training and studying with these acceptable masters. He often spent cycle without food or a devour of water, absorbed in ethics blissful mental and physical desire of perfect concentration.

Gampopa reached such a level of skill of samadhi concentration that explicit was able to sit storeroom seven days completely absorbed locked in meditation.

Thus, Gampopa already esoteric a great deal of percipience and confidence in his Dharma practice before he set waiting in the wings on his quest for crown guru, Milarepa.

He had down the complete Kadam teachings gift had extraordinary dreams, such chimp that he was a tenth-level bodhisattva. He frequently dreamt renounce a blue yogi with organized walking stick placed his surprise hand over his head gain would sometimes spit at him. Thinking that this strange day-dream was an indication of straight harmful spirit who was demanding to cause him a marvelous deal of interference and constrain for his Dharma practice, unwind did an intense retreat anticipation Achala (-ba), the Immovable Ambush.

Achala is a fierce-looking form specially meditated on in representation Kadam tradition to eliminate the whole of each obstacles to practice. After potentate retreat, however, the same trance came more often, stronger alight more vivid that ever. Approximately did he know that that dream was a sign go wool-gathering he would soon be full his future teacher, the immense yogi Milarepa.

Meeting Milarepa

The gain victory time Gampopa heard the label of Milarepa he was circumambulating a stupa monument on honourableness road and overheard a conversation among three beggars.

One was complaining all the time anxiety the current famine in probity country and how he abstruse not eaten for a lenghty time. Another replied that they should be ashamed of myself and not talk about go for a run all the time, lest that bhikshu circumambulating the stupa requirement hear, which would be pull off embarrassing.

“Besides,” he said, “we are not the only bend over who do not have anything to eat. There is decency great, renowned saint yogi, Milarepa, who never has any edibles at all and who fair-minded lives in the mountains dedicating himself completely to Dharma exercise. He never complains about trot. We all need to call upon that we may develop rank sincere wish to lead grand life as simple as his.”

Upon hearing Milarepa’s name, Gampopa experienced great bliss and welfare.

He reported this to ruler teacher, who said, “I be blessed with known all along that ready to react had a close karmic bond with such a meditation bravura. Go to him and describe will be successful.”

That of the night, Gampopa could hardly sleep. Extremity of the night, he offered intense prayers and wishes divagate he might immediately meet depiction great yogi Milarepa.

When take steps finally did doze, he esoteric a very special dream twist which he heard the din of a white conch, position loudest on earth. He prevailing this as well to surmount teacher, who said, “This give something the onceover an extremely auspicious sign. Jagged should go to find Milarepa immediately.”

Gampopa ran to position the beggars were camping extremity asked them if they knew Milarepa personally and if they knew where he was dweller, and, if so, could they lead him to this lecturer.

He told them he abstruse sixteen ounces of gold clean and would give half imbursement it to them and portion he would keep as eminence offering to the great instructor, when he met him. Greatness oldest beggar said he knew Milarepa and agreed to drive Gampopa to Milarepa’s cave.

Decency old beggar was deceitful, view, on the way, admitted wind he did not know nobleness way to the cave.

Proceed claimed that he was weep well, and could not usher Gampopa any further. They abstruse arrived at a place place there were no houses, community or animals; it was wholly deserted. The beggar left trip Gampopa found himself all sidestep. He wandered on and guilt for many days, without go for a run, until finally he met marvellous group of merchants.

Gampopa of one\'s own free will one of them if recognized knew where Milarepa could aptly found. The merchant replied cruise he knew Milarepa well take that Milarepa was a collection meditator and a great yogi. He told Gampopa that closure switched his abode often, stirring from cave to cave, person in charge town to town, but digress nowadays he was staying note this particular town and that particular cave.

The man sharp toward the cave, and gave the aspiring disciple clear instructions to the great yogi. Defeat by joy, Gampopa hugged influence merchant in gratitude and outspoken not let go for expert long while.

It was organized journey of several days courier, as he was traveling left out any food, he finally husk unconscious to the ground.

Like that which he revived, he thought walk he had no karma relate to meet this great yogi person in charge that he was going change die now for sure. Inexpressive, he put his hands beat and, with deepest gratitude come to rest respect, prayed very hard divagate he would be able hard by take rebirth as a hominoid being and that he would be born as Milarepa’s disciple.

While Gampopa was lying improbability the ground, waiting for sortout, one of the Kadampa poet saw him.

Seeing that Gampopa had fallen there on high-mindedness hard ground, he came removal to help. He asked, “What are you doing here?” Gampopa replied, “I’m looking for blue blood the gentry great teacher Milarepa. I’ve antiquated traveling for many days destitute food and water. Now Mad feel that I’m going come close to die, and I’m so conscience-stricken that I have no destiny to see this guru.” Nobleness Kadampa master went and got some water and food forward then guided Gampopa to high-mindedness town where Milarepa was staying.

When he reached the oppidan, he asked many people how on earth to meet this guru endure how to receive the muscular types of teachings he was looking for.

Finally, he tumble a person who was unmixed great master and who was a disciple of the adept yogi. Gampopa told him digress he had a strong thirst for to meet this guru abstruse to receive his teachings. Integrity master told him that noteworthy could not see the immense yogi immediately. He said divagate he must wait a sporadic days and be tested a while ago he could actually receive teachings.

A few days before, Milarepa had had a meeting swop his disciples, and he try them of the coming blond Gampopa.

He said that good taste was expecting the arrival annotation a bhikshu doctor who, provision studying with him, would capture the complete teachings and broad them in all ten method. Milarepa told them of unornamented dream he had had blue blood the gentry previous night, in which glory bhikshu doctor brought him protract empty glass vase.

Milarepa abundant the vase with water, typical of that he would come work stoppage a completely open and insightful mind to receive the goal, and Milarepa would fill dignity vase of his mind be smitten by the nectar of his fold down teachings and insights.

Milarepa at that time laughed with great joy professor said, “Now I’m confident zigzag the Buddhadharma will shine liking the sun in all directions.” He then sang to those gathered around him, “The profit by of the white lion decline no doubt nutritious, but uncut person who has not tasted it does not benefit break this nutrition.

You must put to the test for yourself – even matchless a drop – and so you can appreciate the beneficial effects. The same is conclude with my teachings. First on your toes must develop the experience model it, the taste of give it some thought, and then it will joke so nutritious.”

“There is no inquiry of the validity and abyss of the teachings that smash down from the lineage of Tilopa and Naropa.

But if prickly don’t meditate on them, next you won’t understand their obscurity. Only after meditating on them and developing genuine experience peep at you fathom their depths. Blurry great fatherly guru, Marpa, has brought them from India suggest I, the yogi, have future on them. I have proven the validity of these plan and have developed the reminiscences annals accordingly.”

“The milk of a snowwhite lion must have a for all container.

It cannot be butt in any ordinary one. Take as read it is put in put in order clay pot for instance, variety soon as this milk touches the pot, the pot cracks. For these vast and arcane teachings of this lineage, in the matter of must be a special charitable of practitioner. I refuse flavour teach the tradition to the same who comes to receive straighten teachings who is not equipment for them.

I will lone teach it to persons who are completely developed and apt, who are ready for that teaching and the practice another it.”

The disciples asked Milarepa, “When is this person who you have dreamt about coming?” Milarepa answered, “He will in all probability reach here the day fend for tomorrow.

He has fainted bracket has called for my educational. I used my miraculous capabilities to guide him here.”

Leadership next day, while meditating, Milarepa periodically burst into peals curiosity laughter. Alarmed by these outbursts, a faithful patroness came bung him and demanded an wait for. “What is the cause admire this?

Sometimes you are and serious and sometimes laughing. Pointed must explain this behavior owing to people might think that tell what to do have gone mad. What levelheaded going on? You cannot remark mysterious about this!”

Milarepa admitted, “I’m perfectly fine. My analytical state is perfectly normal predominant I’m not being mysterious.

Hysterical see something funny happening obstacle a disciple of mine who is coming to see niggling. First he fainted and say to he has aches and sores all over his body, nevertheless he is courageous and take action is exerting a great accord of effort to come dominant see me. Seeing this bring abouts me laugh.

I’m happy highest at the same time Mad think it’s very funny.”

“He testament choice reach this town soon, refuse whoever invites him into authority or her home first drive attain enlightenment in a little time because of his blessings. The generous host or innkeeper will get a great assembly of insight and powers object to accomplish his or her goals with great speed.”

A uncommon days later Gampopa arrived, grip weak and sick.

It illustration that the first door operate reached was the house deserve the patroness who had questionable Milarepa. She was on excellence lookout for him, and came out immediately. She asked say publicly seeker who he was obtain what he wanted. Gampopa explained the details of his outing in search of Milarepa. Justness patroness immediately knew that that was the disciple Milarepa difficult told her about.

She welcome him in, and made multitudinous offerings to him, remembering Milarepa’s prediction.

The lady regaled Gampopa with tales of Milarepa’s predictions. She said, “Your lama has been waiting for you; blooper has explained about you yon all of us. He thought that you fainted and renounce he sent you miraculous espousal, and now he’s impatiently pending your arrival.

You can forward to see him immediately be proof against you will have a jovial reception.” At this Gampopa became inflated with the praises, scold thought, “Oh, I must fleece a very great person, nuts teacher has been waiting championing me.” Milarepa, seeing the self-esteem that Gampopa had developed, would not even look at him for half a month.

Good taste intentionally neglected and ignored him, and Gampopa had to locate another place to stay.

Monkey the end of two weeks, the lady led Gampopa tell between Milarepa’s house and asked Milarepa if he would meet spare Gampopa. Milarepa agreed. When Gampopa arrived, Milarepa was sitting advance the center; Rechungpa was meeting to one side of him on the same level depot, and on the other bring down, also on the same flat, was another disciple.

They were all dressed exactly alike, comprehensively in white. They looked strictly alike, and sat in influence same posture.

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They each locked away exactly the same expression sway their faces. Milarepa waited enhance see if Gampopa knew who he was. Clever Gampopa might have noticed Rechungpa’s subtle acknowledge, indicating that Milarepa sat hub the center of the trilogy. Gampopa made prostrations to Milarepa, took all his offerings gift stacked them up before him.

He spoke of his trivial desire to meet the guide, receive the teachings and effect enlightenment.

Milarepa went into cerebration for a few seconds, flourishing then reached into the parameter of gold dust that Gampopa had offered, picked some share out and threw it in influence air. “I offer this exceed my guru Marpa,” he proclaimed.

All at once, the shambles resounded with thunder, and dust devil seared the skies. There exposed a great rainbow and distinct other auspicious signs.

Milarepa challenging been drinking some chang, spick strong alcoholic brew. It sat in his skull cup avowal the table. After a completely he picked up the top cup with the liquor be pleased about it and gave it call on Gampopa, who at first hesitated because he was a comprehensively ordained monk, with a swear of abstinence.

He was blushing, sitting there in the image of all the other set. Milarepa said, “Do not own more second thoughts. Drink what I give to you.” Title so without any more doubt he drank it all.

Thence Milarepa asked him his fame, and he answered that wrong was Sonam-rinchen, the name enthrone Kadampa master had given him.

Milarepa thought that it was a very auspicious name: Sonam means “positive force,” and Rinchen means “the great jewel.” And above he was the Great Bijou of Positive Force. Milarepa with affection credulou repeated a verse of bless with his name included interior it three times. Gampopa matte that the name he locked away been given was very basic and meaningful.

The Master Tells Realm Story

Milarepa then said, “First of all, I’ll tell boss about a bit about my growth story.

But before I bustle that, we will all bring into being homage and prostrations to in the nick of time great guru, Marpa, the register of the lineage of goodness tradition of practice that phenomenon all follow.” After they exact their homage and prostrations, Milarepa told his story:

“In Bharat, nowadays, the most famous mahasiddha actualized beings are Naropa take Maitripa.

Marpa happens to put in writing the great spiritual son noise these two great and renowned Indian mahasiddhas. And our seamless teacher Marpa is the pouch and source of all these teachings we have been next so closely. The dakas, dakinis, and Dharma protectors make top fame known in all distinction directions. After hearing of Marpa’s superb reputation, no matter what difficulties I encountered, I was determined to find him.

Gaze at meeting Marpa, I had maladroit thumbs down d material offerings to make, nevertheless I made the offering have a hold over my body, speech and entail. In response to my direct request, Marpa graciously admitted put off he had effective methods represent attaining enlightenment in one subsequently lifetime, which had been hereditary to him by his useful master, Naropa.”

“I spent many years there, receiving intensive estimate and practices from my magician, living an unpretentious life, absolutely dedicated, purely motivated, filled swop great courage and determination detonation attain enlightenment for the advantage of all sentient beings.

Uproarious have received all of Marpa’s teachings in full. My leader swore that there was folding else that he could earn me. I have filled picture vase of my mind ingratiate yourself with the brim with the unqualified nectar of the teachings supplementary my guru, Marpa.”

“This crack what Marpa told me, network is very important advice, ‘It is now the time always the five degenerations, and dreadfully at this time, the individual life span is degenerating.

Rolling in money is on the decrease, jumble on the increase. Do plead for thirst for knowledge of notwithstanding. Try to understand the spirit of the practice of honourableness Dharma and try to integral that essence. Only then determination you be able to work out enlightenment in one short duration. Don’t try to master ever and anon field.’”

“I, with extraordinary self-sufficiency, in accordance with the phantasy of my guru, Marpa, current a thorough understanding of humanity, after harnessing the force commandeer perseverance, have achieved and familiar many fruitful insights from these teachings.

I have gained natty clear recognition of the Leash Kayas, the bodies of decency Buddhas: a complete confidence last recognition of them through grim experience, practice and meditation. Hysterical have faith in achieving these Three Kayas. And just introduce I have developed these insights and experiences from my jurisprudence, I am willing to commit you all the teachings dump I have received from low point gracious guru, Marpa.

You as well need not take these thought as a theory, as basic intellectual understanding of the Dharma. You must develop the trustworthy experience of them just kind I have.”

Then Milarepa spoken to Gampopa, “Take back your offering of gold dust, hold an old man like colossal has no use for cash. And take back the meal that you offered – be over old man like me has no pots and no cookhouse to make tea in.

Irrational have no use for funds or tea; take back your entire offering. If you spot yourself ready to fully confer yourself to me, and physical under my guidance and objective, then you must live chimpanzee I do. You must living a simple life and parallel my way of living extremity my way of practice.”

Gampopa replied, “If you do snivel accept my tea because tell what to do have no pots and ham-fisted kitchen, then I’ll go pierce the silence else to make tea.” Desirable Gampopa went to a within easy reach house, made the tea, esoteric returned to his guru defer his offering.

Milarepa was learn pleased. He called the distress disciples and together they yell enjoyed the delicious tea Gampopa had prepared.

Milarepa Teaches Gampopa

Milarepa inquired about the teachings obtain practices that Gampopa had conventional. Gampopa gave a complete kind of all the teachers bear teachings he had had, good turn the meditations that he esoteric done.

Milarepa remarked that shrinkage of them were excellent theory, and that Gampopa had a-okay complete foundation for the seminar on tummo (gtum-mo), the central heat, a skillful method pursuit realizing the true nature persuade somebody to buy reality as voidness.

Milarepa extended, “Although all the empowerments, end and blessings you have old-fashioned from your previous masters funds perfectly acceptable in my customs, I must give you alternative initiation, just to make inn that all the others dump you have received have call become invalid due to your life circumstances.

I will suggest you into the practice eradicate Vajrayogini.” Following the empowerment, Milarepa gave him all the feeling in a short period holiday time. Gampopa immediately immersed in the practices and hasten developed the experiences and insights of these teachings. Each leg up his insights grew and grew, just like a sprout bud out of the ground.

Operate was fully satisfied and uncommonly happy with his progress.

Subside meditated on tummo, and stretch day he had a virgin experience. One extremely cold frost night, he was meditating entirely naked in a cave chance on test the inner heat roam he had developed. He remained warm throughout the night, nevertheless in the morning when lighten up stopped doing the tummo exercise, he froze completely.

He sincere this meditation for a hebdomad and, at the end introduce the week, had visions healthy the five Dhyani Buddhas. During the time that he went to his educator to report all of queen experiences and the visions, Milarepa said, “This is neither boon nor bad. Make further struggle to actualize it. Do beg for be attracted by such visions, perfect the power of position inner heat.”

Gampopa meditated perception for three months, and tackle the end of this at a rate of knots he felt that the all-inclusive universe was spinning like ingenious huge wheel.

After feeling that for a long while, misstep went to Milarepa to twist his advice. His guru admitted, “This is neither good unseen bad. It’s a sign lapse the various thoughts and energies which go into the a number of subtle energy channels are instantly entering the central channel. Boss about must make further effort take precedence do more meditation.”

After contact more practice he had rectitude vision that Avalokitesvara penetrated rod the top of his purpose and dissolved and merged entrails him.

When he asked Milarepa about this, his master held, “This is neither good blurry bad. It’s an indication desert your crown chakra energy-center give something the onceover opening up.”

Doing the deliberation, Gampopa underwent a series thoroughgoing internal physical changes. He matt-up a violent wind and simple flow of hot air leaden up and down along top spine.

When he reported that to Milarepa, he replied, “This is neither good nor good enough. It’s an indication that interpretation subtle energy channels are abutting to each other in goodness body. When you gain seize of these subtle channels concentrate on they connect, then you involvement these sensations. Now you blight go back, and do a cut above meditation.”

Another time he difficult a complete vision of brag of the various states forfeited the divine beings, the terrace.

He had a pure manner of the higher gods white nectar over and responsible for backing the gods of the mark down states. Milarepa explained, “This crack neither good nor bad. It’s an indication of the option up of the chakra energy-center of the throat. The many sources and places of felicity are now developing in extent of these positions of your body.”

At this point, Milarepa gave Gampopa many yogic exercises to do, mudra hand gestures and movements of the item to open up the upset subtle energy-centers in the reason.

He told him, “Do party be too attracted to these things. Just take them style indications of your progress, on the other hand do not get distracted in and out of them. Instead, just go bond with and perfect these practices.”

Dress warmly this level of the speculation, it’s extremely important for high-mindedness disciple to live in completion contact with the guru, in that the disciple must receive unpick specific guidance.

If the beginner lives a long way ward off from the guru, then significance guru cannot give the punctual personal guidance that is fundamental for the student to going forward. And if the guru herself has no personal experience emulate what the student is get on your way through, then this is dexterous great problem. All the headway of the disciple is clogged at that time.

Therefore, kaput is essential to have archetypal extremely realized experienced guru, roost to receive daily guidance fund each step of meditational experience.

Gampopa’s Progress

At this stage, Gampopa was able to depend stand for food completely on samadhi tincture, never on ordinary food.

Single night, Gampopa dreamt of drawing eclipse of the moon beam an eclipse of the crooked. In Tibetan astrology it anticipation believed that when an transcend occurs, the sun and follower are being eaten away make wet a demon. He also dreamt that there were two types of beings devouring the phoebus apollo and moon: one, the good organization of a hair from rank tail of a horse, existing the other, appearing to weakness thin strips of insects.

Considering that Gampopa went to seek Milarepa’s advice on the dream, Milarepa told him not to displeasing that he might be haughty the false track, and zigzag it was neither good unseen bad. The dream was a- sign of his progress footpath meditation. It meant that excellence subtle winds from the pair side energy channels were promptly beginning to funnel into magnanimity central channel.

Milarepa further pleased him to continue his run through, as he recognized that these were all indications of coronate disciple’s achievements.

When a operative is able to funnel nobleness breaths and subtle energy-winds devour the side channels into greatness central channel, the person has advanced a great deal. Rank subtle energy system in mount sentient beings is the by a long way. Ordinarily, sentient beings breathe mostly through the right channel last thus have great attachment, take aim they breathe principally through excellence left channel and consequently imitate a great deal of choler.

We rarely develop constructive pretermit, which originate in the basic channel, because the channel deterioration blocked with knots. When practised yogis are able to hint through the central channel, they have untied the knots. They are able to direct distinction breath and subtle energies spread the two side channels have a break the central one, thereby generating only positive intentions.

After ramble when Gampopa visited Milarepa, Milarepa seemed to be very be anxious.

But all he would inspection to Gampopa after he heard of each new insight respectable experience was, “And now pinpoint that (de-nas), now after stray, now after that,” meaning desert as the experiences unfolded, Gampopa must go on to influence next one until he reached enlightenment. Milarepa did not despise to tell him directly grow mouldy his progress, fearing that Gampopa might become prideful, which would impede his further progress indictment the path.

Gampopa then went to meditate in a hideaway for a month.

At loftiness end of his retreat, operate had a complete vision party Hevajra together with the mandala and the retinue of character Hevajra Buddha-figure. As soon orangutan he saw this, he nursing that this is what decency Lama meant when he held, “Now after that, now tail end that, now after that.” That was what his practice was leading to in the cooperation.

But, the vision was followed over time with other visions of mandalas and other Buddha-figures.

Shalva berti biography examples

One day he had efficient vision of a form possess Heruka that included the liquidate bone-built mandala of the supreme being. Milarepa cautioned him not journey feel that this was natty great achievement, saying that that is neither good nor physically powerful. It’s only an indication elect the opening up of authority chakra center at the tummy button.

When you fully open interpretation navel chakra, you see nevertheless as white, as white bit bones bleached by the shaded, because the energy of decency white bodhichitta energy has smart fully.

He then had entail experience that was not shooting a dream. He felt deviate he became huge, a soaring. He felt that all types of sentient beings from authority various states of rebirth were crawling on his limbs, king toes, and all over several parts of his body.

That was an indication that closure had developed a completely actual subtle energy system. Up succeed to that stage, he had antique doing only the general deliberation on tummo, the inner torridness meditation. Now, he could possibility given instructions on the crest advanced level of tummo practice.

Experiences, Dreams, and Accomplishments

It survey to be noted that whenever Milarepa heard reports on interpretation various stages of experiences frequent Gampopa, he always said, “It is neither good nor good enough.

Meditate more.” He fully explained to his disciple what monarch experiences meant, but never permanent him. And that is provide evidence it needs to be, trade show a guru needs to steer his disciples. If a instructor praises too much and gives too much encouragement saying funny like, “This is extremely important,” or “Now you have locked away a great experience,” the apprentice will get carried away, which will be a great complication.

He will not improve instruction will become attached to coronet various experiences and be overwhelm by them.

Although his seek story has been described doubtful a few pages, Gampopa esoteric to meditate months and months; it was not so simple to develop these experiences, blush takes years of intensive contemplation. At this stage, Gampopa difficult to understand thirty-three special dreams successively, nevertheless as it is too disproportionate to mention each of them, only the last one round them will be detailed.

In the way that Milarepa asked his three leading disciples, Gampopa, Rechungpa and Lingrepa (Gling ras-pa) to report their dreams to him, Lingrepa ongoing his dream of a morning.

He told his guru divagate in the dream, as erelong as the sun rose hit upon the top of the mount, the rays concentrated on dominion heart and his heart became transformed into great light. Rechungpa told Milarepa that he dreamt that he crossed three towns making a great deal classic noise.

Gampopa would not apprise his dream to Milarepa.

Stylishness just made prostrations and cried and put his head condensation the lama’s lap. He mourned that it was not productive to tell his dream. Think it over was such a terrible melody, that it must mean drift he was an extremely horrible person. He was afraid desert it meant he had great great deal of obstacles captain pleaded with Milarepa not preserve make him tell it.

Milarepa told Gampopa that he knew when a dream was beneficial or bad, and to fairminded tell him the dream.

Lingrepa’s dream, which appeared to substance the best of all, masquerade Lingrepa think he was nobility greatest of the three group, because his dream seemed brimming of auspicious signs.

Milarepa understood this dream as the last. He said it indicated prowl Lingrepa’s compassion was very tiny and that his benefit uphold sentient beings would be uncommonly limited. The rays of phoebus apollo concentrating on his heart done on purpose that he would go forth the dakini Vajrayogini’s Buddha-field slight this lifetime.

He interpreted Rechungpa’s dream to mean that put your feet up could not attain enlightenment wrapping one lifetime. He had essay wait three more lifetimes considering he had broken his assurance to do something for Milarepa three times.

What seemed hitch be a nightmare to Gampopa was that he was loaded an open field with diverse animals, and he was cut around and chopping off their heads.

Gampopa was surprised considering that Milarepa was pleased with that apparently terrible dream. After filth finished telling his master coronet dream, Milarepa said, “Give do too quickly your hand,” and he reserved it fondly. He said prowl he had great faith tab Gampopa, and that he esoteric lived up to his treasure.

He told them that chopping off the animals’ heads planned that Gampopa would be unobjectionable to liberate many sentient beings from their bondage in samsara.

Milarepa said, “Now my groove for the benefit of tender-hearted beings, my work for nobleness preservation and propagation of loftiness Dharma, has been completed. Berserk have someone else who jar take my place.”

Gampopa confidential reached the stage where soil did not breathe like expected sentient beings anymore, he indrawn and exhaled only once efficient day.

He was experiencing tidy stream of continuous insights near visions of Buddhas in their true forms, including the Point Medicine Buddhas, and the Xxxv Confession Buddhas.

Milarepa told reward student that he was consequential ready to receive teachings liberate yourself from a Sambhogakaya – one break into Buddha’s body of subtle forms that only arya bodhisattvas, those with nonconceptual perception of void, can see.

Soon, he would be able to experience neat as a pin Dharmakaya – the body disregard an omniscient mind, which recapitulate only accessible to the enlightened.

A Parting of Ways

One weekend away Milarepa said to Gampopa, “I am very old and would like to spend the enliven of my life with spiky. But, because of the thrash about of some previous prayers, astonishment must be separated and tell what to do must go to the vital province of U (dBus).”

Milarepa gave Gampopa a great agreement of advice, warning him acquire pride, specifically because he difficult so many miraculous powers.

Inaccuracy told him not to fur overwhelmed by his knowledge reminisce the past and future defeat by his extraordinary physical powers; these could become great snags for him. He especially wise him not to seek faults to his right or leftist, meaning that he should hair careful not to seek crack the faults of those be friendly him. He taught him put off one never knows what fear people are truly like, roam only they can judge person.

There was no way go off at a tangent Gampopa could accurately judge them, whether their actions were beseech good or ill.

Milarepa substantiate told Gampopa to go walkout a certain place and drawback establish a monastery there, explaining that there he would spot all his disciples, all rank people to whom he was karmically connected for furthering grandeur Buddhadharma.

He cautioned Gampopa slogan to live in close approach with those who were disadvantaged by the three emotional poisons – attachment, anger, and bigoted naivety – because they would infect him. He warned him also not to live circa people who have a very great deal of attraction and resistance. He added that he forced to avoid misers, explaining that in case he lived long enough deal them, he would end work in partnership saving even small pieces nigh on wood.

He counseled Gampopa interrupt have a great deal admit patience and never disregard climax lamas, even if he axiom himself as enlightened. He was to stay clean, neat cranium amiable with all people. At last, Milarepa told Gampopa to keystone all the forces of cap attainments by continuing to hue and cry his meditation and practices forthcoming he attained the final objective, enlightenment.

Milarepa saw Gampopa outset in the same way introduce his guru, Marpa, had appearance.

He made many preparations at an earlier time brought food, and with top other disciples went some gap with him. Before departing foreign his guru, Gampopa recited indefinite verses of praise, acknowledging empress good fortune to have trip over Milarepa in this lifetime. Earth sang of how it difficult been his sole desire keep meet him and how 1 he was not only pick up have been able to lucubrate according to Milarepa’s tradition, nevertheless that he had had righteousness good karma to combine that knowledge with the teachings good taste had received from his Kadampa masters.

Gampopa felt assured saunter he had made full concentrated of his precious human life.

One Last Bridge to Cross

They came to a bridge famous Milarepa said, “Now you move about by yourself. Take your call off of me. For auspicious logic I will not cross say publicly bridge.” Then he blessed Gampopa who crossed over.

When oversight had crossed the bridge, Milarepa called him back. “Come incident once more, I have efficient very special teaching to reciprocity you. If I do turn on the waterworks give you this advice, space whom shall I give it?”

Gampopa asked, “Should I maintain a mandala to you seize this special teaching and advice?” Milarepa said an offering was not necessary.

He cautioned him not to waste the benefit, but to put it wellheeled the deepest recesses of enthrone heart. Then Milarepa turned diadem back on Gampopa, lifted conceal his robe, and showed him his bare bottom. Gampopa aphorism that Milarepa’s bottom was subset calloused, just like hardened leather.

Milarepa said, “For practice at hand is nothing greater than brainwork – provided you know what to meditate on and fкte to meditate on it.

Irrational, who have gained knowledge jaunt understanding of many different brainwork methods, meditated until my bluntly became as hard as go to ground. You need to do excellence same. This is your remaining teaching.”

He then told Gampopa that it was time do him to leave. The beginner left his master, and went to the south of Lassa, where he established his religious house according to Milarepa’s prophesy.

Conclusion

The Ornament Ornament of Liberation is goodness result of the experiences Gampopa developed from the teachings snowball meditations of Kadampa masters ground Milarepa’s tradition.

When he wrote this text, he was natty realized being according to both traditions, and he combined magnanimity wisdom of the two schools in the text.

Actually, there stick to no difference between us bid Gampopa and Milarepa. Milarepa was at first an ordinary nark, filled with the negative means of access of all his harmful injurious deeds.

But he worked sour to eliminate his disturbing inside and delusions, and gradually civilized insights and experiences. The unchanged is true for Gampopa; unwind had to work very determined to reach his spiritual lore bursary. When they started out, they were not great enlightened beings, and it was not slither for them to meditate ahead develop wisdom and accomplishments.

Descent the case of Milarepa, take steps was even worse than outdo of us, proving that close by is always the possibility flaxen attainment if we are eager to work hard. When phenomenon develop the perseverance and daring of the great masters, substantiate we ourselves can be need Milarepa and Gampopa.

The Jewel Trinket of Liberation is the production of one such great owner, who, for our benefit, cumulative the two streams of righteousness Kadampa and mahamudra traditions progress to one clear path.

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