Naropa




[above illustration by Rosalyn White from thanka; under
the direction of Tarthang Tulku


from Buddhas Lions: The Lives
of the Eighty-Four Siddhas
.]

[ above courtesy drikung.org
]


color tapestry [  here]
from
kagyu.org that does
not allow display on this page ]



[ above painting by Robert Beer ©1999 Micronicos
Ltd.
]

Naropa

( 1016 ­ 1100 )

Although born in the Fire-Male-Dragon year of 1016 in
Bengal, India, Naropa occupies a “unique position” in the history of Tibetan
Buddhism. “To the present day his life is held up as an example to anyone
who aspires after spiritual values, which are never realized the easy way
but only after years of endless toil and perseverance. It took Naropa twelve
years of ardent devotion and indefatigable service to his Guru Tilopa
to attain his goal: the overwhelming experience of the Real in direct knowledge.
Apart from this, Naropa also marks the beginning of a new and rich era
of Buddhist thought in Tibet, while at the same time he is the culmination
of a long tradition. None of his contemporaries or successors in India
can compare with him in depth of experience . . .

When he had reached the age of eleven he went for study
to Kashmir, at that time the main seat of Buddhist learning. He stayed
there for three years and having acquired a solid knowledge of the essential
branches of learning he returned home in A.D. 1029. A large number of scholars
went with him and for a further three years he continued his studies in
their company. But then in A.D. 1032 he was forced to marry. His wife came
from a cultured Brahmin family. The marriage lasted for eight years, then
it was dissolved by mutual consent . . .

In A.D. 1049 Naropa went to Nalanda where he took part
in a religious-philosophical debate. He was successful in this and was
elected abbot, a post he held for eight years. The year A.D. 1057 was decisive
for his spiritual development. He resigned from his post and set out in
search of Tilopa who had been revealed as his Guru in a vision. After an
ardent search which almost ended in suicide he met Tilopa and served him
for twelve years until the latter’s death in A.D. 1069. Naropa himself
died in the Iron-Male-Dragon year (A.D. 1100). His mortal remains were
preserved in the Kanika (Kaniska) monastery at Zangskar.” (1)


The Six Yogas of Naropa :

      1. Instructions on the Heat, or Dumo Yoga—the Foundation
      of the Path.

      2. Instructions on the Illusory-Body Yoga—the Reliance
      of the Path.

      3. Instructions on the Dream Yoga—the Yardstick of the
      Path.

      4. Instructions on the Light Yoga—the Essence of the
      Path.

      5. Instructions on the Bardo Yoga—that which is met on
      the Path.

      6. Instructions on the Transformation Yoga—the Core of
      the Path. (5)


links

Naropa

from Karma
Triyana Dharmachakra

Drikung
Kagyu Lineage

Naropa

Naropa’s Guru was Tilopa

Naropa was Guru to Marpa

 

bibliography  (and excerpts)

The Life and
Teaching of Naropa


Herbert V. Guenther (Translator), et al

Paperback / Published 1995

Shambhala
Publications


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The Six Yogas
of Naropa & Teachings on Mahamudra


Garma C.C. Chang (Translator)

1986: Snow Lion
Publications


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The Great Kagyu Masters

The Golden Lineage Treasury
( excerpt )

Translated by Khenpo Könchog Gyaltsen

Edited by Victoria Huckenpahler

Snow Lion Publications
/ 1990


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Illusion’s
Game:


The
Life and Teaching of Naropa
  (cover)

Chogyam Trungpa, Sherab Chodzin (Editor)

Paperback / Published 1994

Shambhala
Publications


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Readings on the Six Yogas of Naropa

Glenn H. Mullin (Translator)

Paperback / Published 1997

Snow Lion Publications

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Tsongkhapa’s Six Yogas of Naropa

Tson-Kha-Pa Blo-Bzan-Grags-Pa,

Glenn H. Mullin (Translator)

Paperback / Published 1997

Snow Lion Publications

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The
Bliss of Inner Fire:

Heart
Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa


Lama Thubten Yeshe

Paperback / Published 1998

Wisdom
Publications


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Songs of Naropa Vol 1

Thrangu Rinpoche

Paperback / Published 1997

Rangjung Yeshe Publications

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Sublime Path to Kechara Paradise:

Vajrayogini’s Eleven Yogas of Generation Stage Practice

As Revealed by Glorious Naropa

Sermey Geshe Lobsang Tharchin

Hardcover / Published 1997

Mahayana Sutra & Tantra Press

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The Life of Marpa the Translator:

Seeing Accomplishes All

Tsag Nyön Heruka ( 1452 – 1507 )

Nalanda Translation Committee (Translator),

under the direction of Chögyam Trungpa

Shambhala
Publications


Paperback / Published 1995

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1st Shambhala ed. 1986:

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1983 ed.:

Gtsan-Smyon He-Ru-Ka

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