Milarepa - His Life, Teachings and Images

Milarepa

The Life of Milarepa

First Part

Concerning the paternal name, Mila, the origin of his ancestors, and the manner of his birth.
How, in his youth, after his father’s death, his nearest relatives rose up in enmity; and how, stripped of an he owned both outside and inside, he knew to its depths the whole reality of suffering. Finally, how, at the urging of his mother, he destroyed his enemies by acts of sorcery.
Such are the first three chapters of this marvelous story.

First Chapter: Birth

Second Chapter: Youth

Third Chapter: Misdeeds

Second Part

The second part, consisting of nine chapters, shows how Milarepa worked his way toward the supreme peace of nirvana.

Fourth Chapter: The Seeking of the Dharma
Disgust and remorse will make him search for a truly perfected lama.

Fifth Chapter: Ordeals -	part 1
	part 2

When he has found him and submits to his discipline, he will undergo such incredible ordeals that he will be entirely cleansed of the impurity of evil deeds and mental defilements.

Sixth Chapter: Initiations and Instructions
Then, having gained the lama’s affection, he will obtain from him the teaching and the methods leading to Enlightenment.

Seventh Chapter: Meditation (1)
Meditating in the very presence of the lama, he will experience the dawn of awakening.

Eighth Chapter: Meditation (2)
After he perfects the practice of these teachings, he seeks out the secret instructions as commanded in a dream. He then leaves the lama.

Ninth Chapter: Meditation (3)
Meeting new evidence of the vanity of the world, he vows to devote himself to meditation.

Tenth Chapter: Meditation (4) -	part 1
	part 2

In order to carry out the instructions of the lama, he abandons all attachment to worldly life and devotes himself wholly to meditation and intense asceticism in mountain solitude.

Eleventh Chapter: Retreats
By this meditating, his experience of awakening will lead to perfection. As a result of his achievement he will bring benefit to the teaching and to all sentient beings.