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 Yogathe Foundation
of the Path.
2. Instructions on the Illusory-Body Yogathe Reliance
of the Path.
3. Instructions on the Dream Yogathe Yardstick of the
Path.
4. Instructions on the Light Yogathe Essence of the
Path.
5. Instructions on the Bardo Yogathat which is met on
the Path.
6. Instructions on the Transformation Yogathe Core of
the Path. (5)