Meditation is
habituation
to a state free of distraction.
Khenchen-Thrangu-Rinpoche-The-Life-Spiritual-Songs-of-Milarepa
Paldarbum said, "This is marvelous, it's like the sun shining upon me. What kind of confidence have you gained from your practice? " Milarepa sang of the confidences of view, meditation, and result:
50
? The Story ofNyama Paldarbum
The confidence in the view is the realization of emptiness. This is the view that there are no deities nor any demons so that one cannot obtain benefit from deities or receive any harm from demons.
The confidence in meditation is the absence of an object ofmeditation. This means that there can be no distraction.
The confidence in the result is the absence ofhope to achieve it. This means there is the absence of fear of failure.
I am a yogin who has these three confidences.
Paldarbum felt great faith in Milarepa. She prostrated to him, invited him in, served and honored him, and said, "I am definitely going to practice the dharma, so please keep me in your compassion. " Then she sang a song to Milarepa describing her many faults with the basic meaning of the song being, "I will sincerely practice the dharma. Please give me a practice that is simple to understand and easy to do. " Milarepa, pleased with her,
replied with a song:
Although you truly wish to practice the dharma, it is not enough to give up worldly activities. You must follow my example and practice without distraction.
Paldarbum then described in a song what her normal life is like:
In the day there is never-ending work. In the night I am fast asleep. Morning and evening I am a slave to
51
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
food and clothes. I have never had the chance to practice the dharma.
Milarepa then sang to her a song on the four aspects of renunciation necessary for true dharma practice:
The next life is far away from this life. Have you prepared for this journey with food and clothes? The way to prepare for that journey is to practice generosity.
In order to receive food, clothes, and wealth in future lives you should give them in this lifetime. There is, however, an obstacle that prevents this generosity to future lives, miserliness. Miserliness or hoarding may seem beneficial in this lifetime in that one accrues food and clothes and other possessions,
but in the long run it harms you because miserliness causes poverty in the next lifetime. Therefore you must recognize that miserliness is an enemy and cast it away behind you.
The next lifetime is darker than this lifetime. Therefore you must prepare a torch to illuminate that darkness. This is done by meditation on the fundamental clarity of the mind. Ignorance is the obstacle and the enemy ofclarity. Ignorance may seem
pleasant and beneficial superficially, but it is actually harmful and you must recognize it as an enemy and cast it away behind you.
The next lifetime is more frightening than this lifetime, so you must find a guard that will protect you. This guard is the practice ofthe dharma. Relatives
52
? The Story ofNyama Paldarbum
dissuading you from dharma practice are the enemy. They may be helping and loving towards you, but ultimately they are harming you. Therefore you must recognize these relatives to be an obstacle and cast them away behind you.
The next lifetime is a longer, more desolate road than this lifetime, so you will need a horse so that you can travel along it easily. That horse is diligence. The enemy of diligence is laziness that will deceive you into thinking it is beneficial, although ultimately it is harmful. Recognize laziness to be an enemy and cast it away behind you.
When Milarepa had sung this song, Paldarbum felt great faith in Milarepa. He told her, "You don't have to change your name or cut off your hair. 37 A person can have hair and also accomplish Buddhahood. " Then Milarepa taught her how to practice through a song of four analogies and five meanings:
0 young lady, Paldarbum, listen wealthy lady, endowed with faith. Look up into the sky, and practice meditation free from fringe and centre. Look up at the sun and moon, and practice meditation free from bright and dim. Look over at the mountains, and practice meditation free from departing and changing. Look down at the lake, and practice meditation free from waves. Look here at your mind, and practice meditation free from discursive thought.
53
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
Then Milarepa instructed her in the physical and mental practices and sent her to meditate. When she returned some time later she sang of her experiences and doubts:
0 Jetsun Rinpoche, 0 supreme yogin, I am able to meditate on the sky;. but when clouds arise, how should I meditate? I am able to meditate on the sun and moon; but when heavenly bodies move, how should I meditate? I am able to meditate on the mountains; but when trees and shrubbery blossom, how should I meditate? I am able to meditate on the lake; but when waves arise, how should I meditate? I am able to meditate on the mind; but when discursive thoughts occur, how should I meditate?
This means that she can look at the mind, nevertheless she is disturbed by the thoughts arising within it. Milarepa sang her a song to further her understanding and clear her doubts:
0 young lady, Palderbum, listen wealthy lady, endowed with faith. If you are able to meditate on the sky, clouds are manifestations of the sky. Once more resolve this manifestation; once more resolve your mind.
Ifyou are able to meditate on the sun and moon, the stars and planets are manifestations of the sun and moon. Once more resolve this manifestation; once more resolve your mind.
Ifyou are able to meditate on the mountains, the trees and shrubbery are manifestations of the
54
? The Story oJNyama Paldarbum
mountain. Once more resolve this manifestation; once more resolve your mind.
Ifyou are able to meditate on the lake, the waves are manifestations ofthe lake. Once more resolve this manifestation; once more resolve your mind.
If you are able to meditate on your mind, discursive thoughts are manifestations ofyour mind. Once more examine the root of discursive thought; once more resolve your mind.
What this means is that ifyou see your own mind, then what you see is that the mind's essence or nature is emptiness. When you see that, you also see that the nature of whatever thought arises in the mind is also emptiness. When this is experienced directly, then these thoughts dissolve in their own place, which means right there or right here. Thoughts are not driven out or sent somewhere else; they do not go away, they simply dissolve
naturally because they are seen.
55
? 7
The Encounter with Naro Bonchung at Mount Kailash
(//0any Westerners now go to see Mount Kailash. It is a J . . 1j placewhereMilarepapracticedandperformedmiracles, leaving his handprints on the rocks and so on. 38
Therefore I shall go through the twenty-second chapter of The Hundred Thousand Songs ofMilarepa39 that describes Milarepa's experience there.
In the Abhidharma it is said that north of Bodhgaya, beyond nine dark mountain ranges and a snow mountain range there is the mountain Gandhamadana and the lakeAnavatapta. 40 Milarepa believed Mt Kailash to be Gandhamadana, and the nearby Lake Mansarovar to be Anavatapta. On the other hand, the Sakya Pandita believed that Kailash and Mansarovar were not Gandhamadana and Anavatapta. However, the eighth Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje, and many other Kagyu masters have stated this mountain and lake is Gandhamadana and Anavatapta.
Marpa had told Milarepa that if he practiced at Lachi and Kailash mountain he would gain exceptional experiences and realizations, and would develop the great qualities that will benefit his pupils. So, to fulfil his guru's instructions, Milarepa went to Mount Kailash. The local deities ofKailash and Mansarovar greeted
57
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
;him on his arrival, prostrating to him and making offerings to him. They offered the mountain and the lake as places ofpractice to Milarepa and all his pupils. The deities also promised to help them when they practiced there by increasing the conditions that were conducive to their practice.
Naro Bonchung was in residence there at this time. He was an excellent practitioner of the Bon tradition41 and had thereby attained some miraculous powers and clairvoyance. He had heard that Milarepa possessed inconceivable miraculous powers and clairvoyance, so he came to welcome Milarepa and his pupils as they arrived at the shore of Mansarovar.
Though he knew who Milarepa was, he pretended he didn't and asked, "Where have you come from and where are you going? " Milarepa answered, "We are going to Mount Kailash to practice meditation. "
Naro Bonchung then asked, "And who are you? " and Milarepa answered, "I am Milarepa. " Naro Bonchung then said, "Kailash and Mansarovar are very famous, but when you actually see them they're not anything special. You're the same, very famous, but nothing special in person. But even if Kailash and Mansarovar and you are really wonderful, this area is under the control of my tradition. Ir is our land and our mountain. So those who stay here have to follow the Bon tradition.
Milarepa said, "This mountain and lake belongs to the Buddhist tradition because the Buddha foretold oftheir existence. In particular my guru Marpa told me that I must practice meditation here. I am not just following mYown wishes. That you live here is very good. It will be better ifyou continue to live here and follow the Buddhist tradition. If you're not going to practice Buddhism it will be best that you go somewhere else. "
58
? The Encounter with Naro Bonchung at Mount Kailash
The reason Milarepa and Naro Bonchung argued in this way was not due to sectarianism, but because it is best that people keep to their own particular tradition; that way they will gain the final goal. Bur if they mix different traditions, their practice will not progress.
The Bonpo said, "If it's true that you have great miraculous powers, we should have a miracle contest. Whoever wins will be the master of Mt. Kailash. Now I shall perform a miracle. " Naro Bonchung then straddled the lake with his left foot on the near shore and his right foot on the opposite shore. Standing thus he sang a song in which he said:
Mount Kailash is very famous, but when: you see it, it's just a snow covered mountain-peak. There's nothing wonderful about it.
Lake Mansarovar is very famous, but it's just a depression filled by river water. There's nothing else there.
Milarepa is very famous, but he's just a naked old man lying on the ground and singing. There's nothing wonderful about him.
We Bonpos have an exceptionally superior teaching. There is the Bon Kaya, and the Bon deity who is the great King of wrathful deities, who has nine heads and eighteen arms and many emanations. His sister is Sipay Gyalmo ("Queen of Existence").
The Bon dharma is superior. As a sign of that superiority, I manifest this miracle.
59
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
Milarepa then did a miracle. Without his body growing larger or Lake Mansarovar becoming smaller, he covered it entirely with his body and then he sang a song in which he said:
Buddha Shakyamuni sits upon a lion throne on Gridhrakuta42 mountain. The Buddha's teachings are exceptionally superior. His body, inseparable from his wisdom, is the dharmakaya Vajradhara. The one who rests in the meditation united with that dharmakaya, is Tilopa, the nirmanakaya. His pupil is the great
pandita Naropa, and Naropa's pupil is Marpa Lotsawa. The blessing has been transmitted from Vajradhara through Tilopa, Naropa and Marpa to me.
I have gained superior realizations and experiences. I am the famous Mifarepa. In accordance with Marpa's command, I have come to meditate at Kailash. Meditating here I will accomplish complete benefit for myself and for others. Mount Kailash is very famous. The snow covered peak is a symbol of the
purity of the Buddha's teachings. Mansarovar lake is very famous, being filled with water is a symbol of the cessation ofphenomena into a state ofequanimity.
I am the famous Milarepa. An old man lying naked is a symbol ofthe abandonment ofthe concepts of perceiver and perceived. I sing because all appearances appear to me as books, as teachings. Then I give these teachings in the form of songs. That is why Milarepa is famous.
In my realizatio. n and experience, outer appearances and the internal mind are inseparable. Thus, by gaining power over the mind I have gained
60
? The Encounter with Naro Bonchung at Mount Kailash
power over external appearances and can accomplish miracles.
I have no need of miracles such as yours that depend upon the help ofa deity. As my miracles are superior to yours, Mount Kailash belongs to me. If you practice the Buddha's dharma that will be beneficial to all. If not, as you are defeated by my miracles you must go and live somewhere else.
Then Milarepa performed another miracle. He lifted up the entire Mansarovar lake upon his fingertip, without causing any harm to the creatures that lived in its waters.
Naro Bonchung said, "This time your miracle is a little better than mine, but I was here first, therefore we should consider this a draw. You say that I should leave ifl refuse to practice Buddhism, but I will never abandon the Bon tradition. Therefore I will perform another miracle and ifyou can do a better one I will leave this place and go and live somewhere else. "
Then Naro Bonchung proceeded to circumambulate Mount Kailash counter-clockwise,43 while Milarepa circumambulated clockwise, until they eventually met each other.
Naro Bonchung seized Milarepa's hand and said, "You must circumambulate counter-clockwise. " Milarepa answered, "No you must go clockwise," and they pulled each other in opposite directions leaving their footprints on stone as they did so. Due to the superiority ofMilarepa's powers Naro Bonchung was made to go round the mountain clockwise.
When they had nearly finished going around, Naro Bonchung said, "Now this next time we should go counter-clockwise," but Milarepa said, "Well, that depends entirely on how strong you are. If you pull me along I'll have to go. " So Naro Bonchung
61
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
replied, "Well, we can find out which one ofus is the strongest by seeing who can carry the biggest stone. "
Naro Bonchung carried a large stone to where they were, but Milarepa brought a bigger one and placed it on top. Naro Bonchung said, "You've defeated me twice, but twice is not conclusive. We must compete once more. " Milarepa answered, "There is no real contest between us, it's just like a game for me. I am bound to win, but so that future generations ofpractitioners can see the superiority of the dharma I'll do a another miracle. "
Naro Bonchung went to the eastern side of Kailash and Milarepa went to the western side. Milarepa extended his leg through and under the mountain and made a footprint in Naro Bonchung's retreat. Milarepa said, "Now you do the same thing back," but Naro Bonchung couldn't.
Naro Bonchung insisted that they should have another contest, as a few miracles didn't prove anything. Again they circumambulated in opposite directions until they met. It then began to rain heavily so Milarepa said, "We should build ourselves a shelter. "
Milarepa gathered rocks by simply pointing at them, and then told Naro Bonchung to bring some, but he failed to bring any by miraculous powers. Milarepa, just by staring at rocks, placed one on the right, one on the left, one at the rear and one on top as a roo? He then decided it was too high so he climbed on top and pressed it down with his foot, leaving a footprint on the stone.
After he had come down, he decided it was now too low, so he went inside and pushed it up with his hand leaving a handprint on the ceiling. In this way he created what is now called Zutrul Puk44 or "The Miraculous Cave" which can be seen today.
62
? The Encounter with Naro Bonchung at Mount Kailash
After this miracle Naro Bonchung conceded. Milarepa then sang a lengthy song explaining how these mirades could be done. He does this by explaining it in terms ofview, conduct, and result:
The Buddhist view is free from extremes and transcends the intellect. The beliefthat things are real is the source of thoughts and defilements. There is also the view that things do not exist. That is also a delusion. One might think that if there is nothing that exists, that there must be nothing. But if the existence of things has no reality, then their non- existence has no reality either.
The true nature of phenomena transcends existence and non-existence, and also neither existence or non-existence. The view that transcends these extremes also transcends the intellect, because it is
not a view gained by thoughts that conceive the identity ofsomething, but it is gained by the wisdom of meditation. This view is beyond the scope of the ordinary mind and therefore is a source of power to accomplish miracles.
There are two reasons why meditation is the source of miraculous power: non-distraction and objectlessness.
Meditation is habituation to a state free of distraction. If meditation has an object on which the mind thinks, there will be attachment and that will give rise to the defilements that create the sufferings of samsara. Therefore I rest in a state of meditation that has no object, in which I directly see
the true nature. That meditation is a source ofpower to achieve miracles.
63
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
Conduct can also yield the power ofmiracles and clairvoyance. I have a conduct that is free ofthe effort to reject or cultivate the various thoughts that arise in the mind. I rest relaxed in the true nature, which results in an uncontrived, relaxed, spontaneous manifestation ofpower to accomplish perfect miracles.
The result, the "self-liberation," also brings powers which when it is attained, causes the continuity of compassion, wisdom and power to not cease. There is a variety of qualities that are free from worldly attachment that are self-liberating.
This power ofthe result is derived from the direct recognition ofone's own true nature. It is not a new creation, the developing of it is not going to some other place. Ignorance and delusion are due to not realizing the true nature as it is. The direct recognition ofone's own true nature brings freedom from extremes and conceptual elaborations, and this leads to miraculous powers.
The purity of commitments (Skt. samaya) in which there has been no transgression also brings the power to achieve miracles. This is due to fulfilling the guru's instructions on meditation, diligence and
particular practices, and it is due to the commitments to be free ofany stain.
Practice is a source of the power to perform miracles, because all appearances are made to aid the development of realizations and experiences. If circumstances conducive to meditation occur, they can then facilitate diligence in meditation without the presence ofpride. When deleterious circumstances
64
? The Encounter with Naro Bonchung at Mount Kailash
and obstacles occur, they don't overpower or depress the practitioner, but are themselves made the basis for meditation. Therefore difficult circumstances are preferable in terms of the development of powerful meditation that has the power to perform miracles.
I, the yogin Milarepa, have the power to do miracles. This is due to my diligence, dedication, and endurance. When there are difficulties I do not feel afraid. My diligence does not last for just a month or year, but continues until the final goal is attained.
Due to my miraculous powers the Buddha's teachings will prosper at Mount Kailash. This has occurred due to the kindness of the Buddhas.
65
? 8
Invitation from the King ofKathmandu ofMon
( 1 n chapter twenty-seven of The Hundred Thousand Songs of J /:Iilarepa,45 Milarepa was staying in solitude in a cave on Katya mountain in the Nyishang Gurta,46 in the area of Mon. 47 While there he was keeping silence and resting in a
continuous stream of meditation.
During that time some hunters came along and saw Milarepa,
motionless and staring. They thought he was a demon, and ran away, but then summoning up their courage, they returned ready to shoot him with their poisoned arrows. They asked him, ''Are you a human being or a demon? " but Milarepa did not respond at all. They fired their arrows at him but they could not pierce his body. They decided to throw him over a cliff, but they couldn't lift his body. They stacked wood around him and set it on fire, but Milarepa didn't burn. They carried him to a wide river and threw him in, but Milarepa, rose up out of the water, perfectly dry, still in the vajra posture, and floated back up to his cave and back onto his meditation seat.
The astounded hunters left the mountain and told the nearby inhabitants about this amazing yogin that was living there. Milarepa's pupil Chirarepa, who had only recently become his
67
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
pupil when he was a hunter who had come across Milarepa on the mountain, said, "That must be my Tibetan lama that you are talking about. He is a true siddha. He even taught the dharma to my dog and the deer when I was hunting, making them sit together and meditate. "48
The reputation of Milarepa spread throughout Nepal. The King of Patan49 and Bhaktapur50 developed great faith and devotion towards Milarepa. The King dreamt that Tara told him, "You have Benares cotton and a yellow myrobalan51 fruit,. There is a great Tibetan yogin presently staying at the Katya cave. Ifyou offer these things to him it will be ofgreat benefit to you. "
The king sent a man who could speakTibetan to find Milarepa. When he came to Milarepa's cave and saw how he had forsaken material life and was remaining in meditation all the time, he felt great faith and was certain that he had found Milarepa.
Nevertheless, in order to avoid any . tnistake he asked, "What is your name? Isn't it terrible to live like this, without anything to eat or drink? Why have you given up all possessions? "
Milarepa replied, "I am Milarepa, the yogin from Tibet. There is a great purpose to not having possessions. " He then explained what he meant in a song:
I have no desire for wealth or possessions, and so I have nothing. I do not experience the initial suffering ofhaving to accumulate possessions, the intermediate suffering of having to protect and keep possessions, nor the final suffering oflosing these possessions. This is a wonderful thing.
I have no desire for friends or relations. I do not experience the initial suffering of forming a mental attachment, the intermediate suffering of
68
? Invitation from the King ofKathmandu ofMiin
having a disagreement, nor the final suffering of parting from them. Therefore it is good to be without friends and relations.
I have no desire for pleasant conversation. I do not experience the initial suffering of seeking conversation, the intermediate suffering ofwondering whether it will continue, nor the final suffering of the conversation deteriorating. Therefore I do not delight in pleasant conversation.
I have no desire for a homeland and have no flxed residence. I do not experience the initial suffering of partiality of thinking that "this is my land and that place isn't. " I do not experience the intermediate suffering of yearning for my land. And I do not experience the final suffering ofhaving to protect my land. Therefore it is better to have no flxed abode.
When Milarepa had sung this song, the man felt great faith in him and returned to the king and gave a detailed account of his meeting with Milarepa. The king said, "You must go back and invite Milarepa to come here. Ifhe refuses, offer him this Benares cotton and yellow myrobolan from me.
The king's emissary returned to Milarepa and said to him, "A Dharma king is reigning in Kathmandu and Patan. He has sent me to invite you there. You must come there. "
Milarepa replied, "I don't go into towns, and I don't know anyone who lives there. I certainly don't know any kings. I don't like flne food or drinks and I don't like having any possessions. I don't know any stories about dharma practitioners who die of hunger or cold. A lama who stays with a king will become lost. In
69
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
obedience to Marpa Lotsawa's commands, I travel from place to place, practicing. It is best if you return to your king. "
The emissary said, "He is a very great king. You're just an ordinary lama, so he has only sent one man on foot to invite you. It would be better if you came back with me. " Milarepa replied, "No, that's not how it is. I'm not an ordinary person, I am a great king, a world-emperor, a Chakravartin. There is no one who is my equal, no one who is as powerful as me. "
The king's man said, "If you're a world-emperor, you must have the seven royal possessions of a chakravartin. So where are they? No, you're just an ordinary person. Ifyou're a wealthy king you'll have to prove it to me. " In reply Milarepa sang a song that taught the seven aspects of enlightenment as the seven royal possessions ofa chakravartin:
Your king and ministers yearn for happiness, but with a kingdom like mine, this life and all future lives are filled with bliss.
The first of the seven royal possessions is the precious wheel that can take the king anywhere swiftly and easily. I possess the precious wheel of faith. It takes me from samsara to nirvana. With faith and devotion I can enter any virtuous activity easily, so
that I am swiftly taken to nirvana.
The second royal possession is the precious wish-
fulfilling jewel that spontaneously fulfils one's own wishes and the wishes of others. My second royal possession is wisdom, the wisdom of ultimate and relative truth, which brings the attainment ofthe state of Buddhahood. By knowing the individual capabilities and aspirations ofbeings, I turn the wheel
70
? Invitation from the King ofKathmandu ofMan
ofdharma52 for them fulfilling the hopes ofall- the Hinayana vehicle for the lower pupils, the pratyekabuddha state for those of medium capability, and the Mahayana for those with superior capability.
The third royal possession is the precious queen who is very beautiful and adorned by a variety of jewellery. My third royal possession is good conduct - the dharma practitioner who maintains correct
conduct is beautiful, because he or she is free of the stains of faults. Correct conduct develops all good qualities, like being adorned by jewellery.
The fourth royal possession is the precious minister who maintains and improves the kingdom's wealth. I have the royal possession of meditation through which I gather the accumulations of merit and wisdom.
The fifth royal possession is the precious elephant that can carry the great burden of the emperor's wealth. I have my conscience, so that if someone benefits me I know that I must not ignore them, but repay their kindness. All beings have shown me kindness and so I must help them all. Ifl give them the Buddha's teachings they will eventually reach Buddhahood. Therefore I take upon myself the burden, the responsibility, of giving the Buddha's teachings to all beings.
The sixth royal possession is the precious horse, the emperor's mount, which takes him easily to any land he wishes to go. I have the royal possession of diligence, which takes me from self-attachment and defilements to selflessness.
71
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
The seventh royal possession is the precious general, whose army destroys the enemies of the emperor. Some say that the precious general subdues enemies just through the power ofhis majesty. I have the royal possession ofwisdom due to learning and contemplation. I have the wisdom gained from hearing the Buddha's words and commentaries to
them and the wisdom gained from analyzing the teachings until certainty is achieved. This wisdom defeats incorrect views, which are the enemy.
Even if you are a king you need these faultless qualities that benefit beings.
The king's messenger said, "You truly follow the dharma. It is marvellous. The king told me to give you these offerings if you refused to come. " He then gave Milarepa the cotton and the yellow myrobalan. Milarepa accepted the offering and recited a dedication and wishing prayer.
Some time later, Rechungpa and a pupil of Milarepa named Shengomrepa came searching for Milarepa to bring him back to Tibet. They couldn't find him until they met some hunters who
. said to them, "You're not real yogins. A yogin should be like Milarepa. Weapons can't pierce him, fire can't burn him, throw him in the water and he won't sink, throw him off a cliff and he'll float right back up. The king even invited him to court and he refused to go. That's what a real siddha is like. " Rechungpa and Shengomrepa gave the hunters a gift, asked them where Milarepa was, and then went to him.
When they arrived, Milarepa gave Rechungpa and Shengomrepa a teaching on practice being essential and then returned to Tibet with them.
72
? 9
Entering a Yak Horn
( T h e thirty-eighth chapter of The Hundred Thousand Songs
J
is important because it teaches that the pupil must abandon pride and show respect to the guru. This may seem at first a strange thing to do, but respect for the guru is extremely important. Only ifone believes in the guru can one gain all the benefits and results of dharma practice.
It can seem suspicious when a lama like myself, seated upon a throne, is teaching people that they must have faith and devotion for the lama. But nevertheless, that is how the benefit ofthe dharma is obtained.
This chapter tells us that Rechungpa, Milarepa's moon-like disciple, (which means the next most important disciple after Gampopa, who was Milarepa's sun-like principal pupil) had gone to India.
One day, Milarepa realized in his meditation that Rechungpa had returned from India and was coming to see him. But he also noticed that Rechungpa had become affected by pride. Rechungpa was thinking, "My guru is of course a special person, but I've been to India twice and I've met many special gurus, and received profound instructions from them. I am no longer the same as I
ofMilarepa,53 is entitled "Entering a Yak-Horn. " This story
73
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
used to be. In the past I had to undergo many hardships in my dharma practice, but now that I am a very special lama. I won't have to do that anymore. "
Milarepa, aware of Rechungpa's state of mind, miraculously transferred himselfinto the middle ofthe vast plain that Rechungpa was crossing and approached him. Rechungpa thought, "I am now someone who propagates the Buddha's teachings and helps many beings. That was the reason I went to India. Now my guru has come to greet me. He has greater powers ofblessing than I do, but I am more learned than he is. When I prostrate to him, I am sure that he will prostrate to me in turn. "
The Story ofDarmadode
Rechungpa had been given a staff by Tibupa to give to J\1ilarepa. Tibupa, had been Marpa Lotsawa's son, Darmadode, in his previous life.
Darmadode had died quite young. This came about when he had been practicing in retreat when he saw many people going to a festival. Due to the influence of the maras, Darmadode heard someone say, ''Why is such an important person as Darmadode not going to the festival? " Darmadode . then said to his parents, "Even the old people are going to this festival, so I'm going too. "
At the festival the maras caused him to have a fatal accident while he was riding a horse. Although Darmadode had received the instructions of trong jug, the transference of one's
consciousness into a dead body, he couldn't find a human body to enter, so he entered a pigeon's body instead and flew to the Shitavana charnel-ground in India. 54 There he transferred his consciousness into the dead body ofa young Brahmin, which he
74
? Entering a Yak Horn
then reanimated. In that new body he became known as Tibupa, because tibu means "pigeon. "
Tibupa possessed not only the instructions he had received as Darmadode, but he also passed on many instructions that he obtained in India. Due to this, he became known as "the trunk of the mantrayana tree. "
Rechungpa's Shortened Life
Rechungpa had met Darmadode in India, and was receiving instructions from him, when one day Tibupa told him to go to the market place. Rechungpa met a yogin there who said, "How sad, you are such a handsome Tibetan, but you have only seven days to live! "
Rechungpa was very frightened that he was about to die and told Tibupa what the yogin had said. Tibupa said, "Don't worry, go and see Ekamatrika Siddharajni. She's a hundred and fifteen years old, but looks as if she's only sixteen. She will give you the instructions for gaining a long life. "
Rechungpa went to her, received the instructions, practiced for seven days and then Amitayus appeared to him and asked. "How long do you want to live? " ''As long as I wish! " Rechungpa answered. "You can't do that," said Amitayus, "but you're in your forty-fourth year now, and you can live until your eighty-first year," which is exactly how long Rechungpa lived for.
Returning to our story, Rechungpa had brought Tibupa's staff to Tibet, and gave it to Milarepa when they met, and then prostrated to him. Milarepa however did not prostrate to Rechungpa, contrary to Rechungpa's expectation.
75
? The Life & Spiritual Songs ofMilarepa
Rechungpa asked, "What have you been doing while I was in India? How are the other yogins? " Milarepa, noticing signs of pride in Rechungpa, smiled and sang a song in which he said:
I am very well, because I am free from the sickness of thefive defilements that I had suffered from throughout beginningless samsara.
Abandoning distractions, I dwell alone, independent, without attachment to anyone. I am well and happy because I live in uninhabited places that are free ofworldly activities.
I am well and happy because I am free of the worries of scholarship, fame, and composing texts, and can accumulate any merit I wish.
In answer to that song, Rechungpa sang of his journey to India in which he said:
The way to India was long and dangerous. Nevertheless I underwent that hardship and achieved success. I met Tibupa and Ekamatsika Siddharajni. Also the yidam appeared to me and I received "the nine dharmas of the disembodied dakinis"55 from Tibupa, and therefore I am very happy.
Now that I have met my guru again, I can offer him these nine dharmas of the disembodied dakinis, and so I am very happy.
To dispel Rechungpa's pride, Milarepa replied with a song:
76
? Entering a Yak Hom
Do not boast so much. I will sing you a song, and if you think it's any good, keep it in mind.
