Milarepa

Jetsun Milarepa (Tibetan: རྗེ་བཙུན་མི་ལ་རས་པ, Wylie: rje btsun mi la ras pa), (c. 1052 – c. 1135 CE) was a famous poet and yogi of Tibet. He was a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and a major figure in the history of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

I attain all my knowledge through studying my mind within, thus all my thoughts become the teachings of Dharma. So long as I do not become separated from my own mind, I am always accompanied by sutras. I have realized that all manifestations are Mind, and the mind itself is the illumination.

Quotes

Though you desire the pleasures of this life, Because of your sins, you will never gain them. But if you renounce desires within, You will win the Great Accomplishment.

If one conquers his Self-mind within,
All his foes soon disappear.

Having meditated on gentleness and on compassion,
I have forgotten the difference between myself and others.
- From the song offered to Geshe Tsaphoua, as quoted in Meditation Techniques of the Buddhist and Taoist Masters (2003) by Daniel Odier, p. 104

In my youth I committed black deeds. In maturity I practised innocence. Now, released from both good and evil, I have destroyed the root of karmic action and shall have no reason for action in the future. To say more than this would only cause weeping and laughter. What good would it do to tell you? I am an old man. Leave me in peace.
- As quoted in The Life of Milarepa: A New Translation from the Tibetan (1977) by Tsangnyön Heruka, as translated by Lobsang P. Lhalungpa, p. 12

The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa: The Life-Story and Teaching of the Greatest Poet-Saint Ever to Appear in the History of Buddhism

as translated and edited by Garma C. C. Chang (1975)

For those who do not guard their morals,
Prayers are but wishful thinking.
For those who do not practice what they preach,
Oratory is but faithless lying.
- p. 17

I attain all my knowledge through studying my mind within, thus all my thoughts become the teachings of Dharma. So long as I do not become separated from my own mind, I am always accompanied by sutras. I have realized that all manifestations are Mind, and the mind itself is the illumination.
- p. 378

Song to the Hunter

"Song to the Hunter" as translated in The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa: The Life-Story and Teaching of the Greatest Poet-Saint Ever to Appear in the History of Buddhism (1999) edited by Garma C. C. Chang

I pray to all accomplished beings;
I pray you to extinguish the Five Poisonous Klesas.

You man with a human body but a demon's face,
Listen to me. Listen to the song of Milarepa!
Men say the human body is most precious, like a gem;
There is nothing that is precious about you.
You sinful man with a demon's look,
Though you desire the pleasures of this life,
Because of your sins, you will never gain them.
But if you renounce desires within,
You will win the Great Accomplishment.
It is difficult to conquer oneself
While vanquishing the outer world;
Conquer now your own Self-mind.
To slay this deer will never please you,
But if you kill the Five Poisons within,
All your wishes will be fulfilled.

If ones tries to vanquish foes in the outer world,
They increase in greater measure.
If one conquers his Self-mind within,
All his foes soon disappear.

Do not spend your life committing sinful deeds;
It is good for you to practice holy Dharma.

Quotes about Milarepa

Milarepa sent word that all who had known him and had faith in him, and those who wished to meet him, should come.
For many days Milarepa held a discourse on the law of karma and the nature of reality. To everyone present, all kinds of phenomena appeared, all heard exquisite music, wonderful odors filled the air and rainbows arched the clear blue sky. A great happiness pervaded the whole assembly... Surrounded by his disciples Milarepa entered a deep state of meditation. Thus he passed away at the age of eighty four.
- Eva van Dam, in The Magic Life Of Milarepa (1991)

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