|
Part
Two
Marpa travels
to India three times and undergoes hardships for the sake of the Dharma.
Receiving the holy Dharma from panditas and siddha gurus, he brings it
back to Tibet.
Marpa's
first journey to India
Marpa
Second Chapter : Marpa thinks of going to India and gathers the requisites
for his journey. On his way he meets a companion and they travel to India.
Having
studied with guru Drogmi, Marpa was completely conversant in the colloquial
languages of India. However, he had no karmic connection to stay with
guru Drogmi for a long period of time, and the time had come for awakening
his good karmic connection with Mahapandita Naropa and other Indian gurus.
Therefore Jetsunma Vajrayogini inspired him so that he would go to meet
Naropa.
Thus, Marpa
thought, "Even if I stayed a long time with this guru in order to
complete the four abhisekas of Nairatmya, I would have to give fifteen
dris. To receive the permission-blessing of the devi Ekajati, I would
surely have to give at least one yak or dri. Without offerings, it is
impossible to fill one's mind completely with the dharma. Even if I had
such offerings and completely received the dharma in this way, I couldn't
say that I had received the teachings from a great pandita. In particular,
I have asked again and again to borrow the Dakini-vajrapanjara-tantra
to look at briefly, but Drogmi would not give it to me. I should give
this guru as many offerings as will please him, and exchange the rest
of my provisions for gold. Then I should take my share of the inheritance
from my parents and go to India to study the dharma."
Marpa gave
what wealth he had to guru Drogmi, so that he would not be displeased.
All that remained were the horse and the teakwood saddle. He took these
and went to obtain gold north of Lato in the direction of Taktse. There
he exchanged both the horse and saddle for gold.
At the monastery
of Shira, a student had invited the prince of Lokya from Kyerphu in Tsang
to come and read the sutras. The student made good offerings there to
the prince of Lokya. While the prince of Lokya was returning to Kyerphu,
he met Marpa and Marpa asked if he could accompany him. The prince of
Lokya accorded Marpa full hospitality. He gave him provisions and gifts
and at times let Marpa rest by riding his mule. When they arrived at Kyerphu,
Marpa realized that this virtuous teacher was a person who kept his spiritual
commitments.
Marpa said,
' 'Now I am going south to Nepal to learn translation. You have been kind
to me during this visit. If there are no obstacles to my life, please
remember me with kindness and receive me when I return in the future."
The prince
of Lokya said, ' 'I am old and I do not know if I will see you in the
future. I will have my children welcome you. In any case, you should return
here." He gave him a sang of gold and a bolt of white wool cloth
as a parting gift.
When Marpa
arrived in Lhotrak, he told his parents that he was going to India to
study the dharma, and that he must have his share of the inheritance of
wealth, fields, and houses.
His parents
and relatives all said, "What's the point of going all the way to
India to translate and study the dharma? If you want to practice dharma,
you can do that in Tibet. If you don't want to practice, stay and work
on the farm. ' ' They raised many such objections.
Marpa said
to his father, "At first you said I should be sent to a good guru
a long way from here. What could be farther than India? I will definitely
find a good pandita guru there." He did not listen to their objections
and took his share of the inheritance of wealth, fields, and houses. Except
for a house and field he exchanged everything for gold. Thus he obtained
eighteen sang of gold to take with him. Two friends were going to join
him, but as they were about to leave, they were discouraged by their relatives
from going. So Marpa departed for India by himself.
While he
was traveling, Marpa wished that he had a traveling companion. At a place
called Tsinesar in upper Nyang, he met the translator Nyo of Kharak, who
was going to India.
Nyo asked,
"Where did you come from and where are you going?"
Marpa replied,
"I am coming from Lhotrak and going to India to study the dharma.
"Well,
do you have a lot of gold?" said Nyo. Lying, Marpa said, "Just
a couple of sho." Nyo said, "You can't go anywhere like that.
If you go to India without lots of gold, searching for dharma will be
like trying to drink water from an empty gourd. I have lots of gold; so
be my servant and we'll use the gold together."
Marpa did
not ask Nyo for any teachings, not knowing how this relationship would
end. Hoping for some temporary benefit, he accompanied Nyo as his servant,
and together they traveled to Nepal.
go
to Third Chapter: Life of Marpa
|
