In this beautiful Buddhist painting the great Tibetan yogi is nicely painted with a deep sense of gravity.
Milarepa Yogi is a famous Tibetan yogi and poet, a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and a major figure in the history of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Milarepa's writings reflect his teachings and these writings are referred to as the Songs of Milarepa and they emphasize the temporary nature of the physical body and the need for non-attachment.
However, according to legends, Milarepa's life was full of references to magic.
In his songs, Milarepa expresses the profundity of his realization of the dharma with extraordinary clarity and beauty.
Born to a prosperous family, he was named Mila Thpaga (Thos-pa-dga'), which means A joy to heaven. The name of his clan was Khyungpo, his family name was Josay.
After his father died, his uncle and aunt forcefully took all of the family's wealth. At the behest of his mother, Milarepa left home and studied sorcery.
Some years later, while his aunt and uncle were having a party to celebrate the proposed marriage of their son, he applied his black magic. He summoned a giant scorpion to demolish their house. As many as 35 people were killed.
The villagers were angry and set off to look for Milarepa, but his mother got word to him and he sent a hailstorm to destroy their crops.
However, Milarepa later lamented his evil ways in his older years, and led a peaceful life. |