Marpa - His Life

Marpa

A flower blooming in the sky,
The son of a barren woman rides a horse
Wielding a whip of tortoise hair.
With the dagger of a hare's horn
He kills his enemy in the space of dharmata.
The mute speaks, the blind man sees.
The deaf man hears, the cripple runs.
The sun and moon dance, blowing trumpets.
The little child turns the wheel.

Then Naropa said, "Furthermore, I have the transference of consciousness, some profound oral instructions of the hearing lineage, and other teachings. You should definitely come back once more." Thus Naropa urged Marpa strongly, but did not say anything more, and Marpa did not ask about the meaning of the song. Keeping Naropa's words clearly in mind, Marpa vowed that they would definitely meet once again. Making this prayer, he departed.

Arriving in Nepal, Marpa stayed only briefly and then went to Tibet. When he arrived in Tsang, the great Metbn Tsonpo of Tsangrong requested the abhiseka and oral instructions of Cakrasamvara. While Marpa stayed there and performed the abhiseka, his disciples in Trowo valley heard the good news of the guru's arrival in Tibet and that he was in good health. Marpa Goiek and some other disciples went to welcome him. In the mountains of upper Nyang, they met the guru, who was coming from Tsangrong. They all returned and stayed in Lhotrak.
There Jetsun Mila and many other worthy disciples soon gathered. Marpa's splendor, fame, and buddha activity of taming disciples expanded greatly. During this time, the taming of Jetsun Mila and the building of the tower called Sekhar were completed.

Tarma Dode Comes of Age

One day, during his son's coming of age and consecration ceremony. Lord Marpa and his son Tarma Dode had a debate, which the son won. The son said, "As they say, 'The stirring spoon did the hard work, but the ladle takes the juice. ' The father performed the hard work, but I have the practices. The father should sit quietly and eat his porridge. ' ' Saying this, Tarma Dode was quite amused and laughed.

The father said, "Son, as they say, 'The water of virtue cannot stay on a ball of arrogance. ' The son is learned and great because of his father's kindness. I still wish you well, but don't be proud. Listen to this song."

Then Marpa sang this song of urgent command to his son:

Listen noble son, Dodebum.
Though you say you are learned and great,
All that is the noble father's kindness.
Gathering vast accumulations through former lives,
I created wealth of yellow gold.
Thus I pleased the guru.
Listen noble son, Dodebum.
Naropa, Maitrlpa, and Path of Liberation
Are the three holy root gurus.
Thus the oral instructions are profound.

Listen noble son, Dodebum.
Because I never irritated the gurus,
The dakinis were pleased and cared for me like a child.
Thus I was free from obstacles and bad circumstances.
I trained my mind in the holy dharma of mahayana.
Arousing bodhicitta, I encompassed all beings.
Thus I spread the holy dharma in Tibet.

Listen noble son, Dodebum.
Since I went forth to greet the guru on his arrival and escorted him on his departure,
The soles of my feet were marked with dharmacakras.
Thus I traveled through India.

Listen noble son, Dodebum.
As for the tantras, commentaries, and oral instructions,
I learned their words and meanings thoroughly, without error.
Thus I spread the teachings.

Listen noble son, Dodebum.
Meton, Ngokton, Tsurion, and Goiek
Are the four heart sons.
Thus I taught the tantras and commentaries.

Listen noble son, Dodebum.
He who accomplished whatever the guru said
Is Mila Dorje Gyaltsen.
Thus I bestowed the oral instructions on him.

Listen noble son, Dodebum.
I, the lord father, am getting old.
I have arrived at the exhausting of dharmata.
Dode, your time has come.
By your great learning, propagate the teachings.
Fulfill the wish of this old man.

Thus Marpa sang. Everyone there felt unwavering faith in Lord Marpa.

Then, when he performed the consecration and the invocation ofauspiciousness. Jetsun Marpa sang this song of the benediction of auspiciousness:

I supplicate the kind gurus.
This precious lineage of mine
Is auspicious, free from degradation.
May the goodness of this auspiciousness be present.
The direct path of the profound oral instructions
Is auspicious, free from corruption or confusion.
May the goodness of this auspiciousness be present.

I, Marpa Lotsawa,
Have the auspicious profound pith.
May the goodness of this auspiciousness be present.

Gurus, yidams, and dakims
Have auspicious blessings and siddhis.
May the goodness of this auspiciousness be present.

Great sons and assemblies of disciples
Have auspicious faith and samaya.
May the goodness of this auspiciousness be present.

Benefactors from countries near and far
Have the auspicious harmonious occasion to gather merit.
May the goodness of this auspiciousness be present.

All deeds and activities
Are auspicious, enlightened, and benefit beings.
May the goodness of this auspiciousness be present.

Gods and demons of the phenomenal world
Are auspiciously under powerful command.
May the goodness of this auspiciousness be present.

The crowds of gods and men gathered here
Auspiciously aspire to bliss and happiness.
May the goodness of this auspiciousness be present.

Thus Marpa sang.

Afterward, guru Ngokpa and other disciples and benefactors offered gifts. Marpa accepted them and dedicated the virtue for the enlightenment of all.

That was the second trip to India.

go to Ninth Chapter: Life of Marpa