[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 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)
links
Naropa
from Karma
Triyana Dharmachakra
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
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble
The Six Yogas
of Naropa & Teachings on Mahamudra
Garma C.C. Chang (Translator)
1986: Snow Lion
Publications
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble
The Great Kagyu Masters
The Golden Lineage Treasury
( excerpt )
Translated by Khenpo Könchog Gyaltsen
Edited by Victoria Huckenpahler
Snow Lion Publications
/ 1990
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble
Illusion’s
Game:
The
Life and Teaching of Naropa (cover)
Chogyam Trungpa, Sherab Chodzin (Editor)
Paperback / Published 1994
Shambhala
Publications
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble
Glenn H. Mullin (Translator)
Paperback / Published 1997
Snow Lion Publications
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble
Tsongkhapa’s Six Yogas of Naropa
Tson-Kha-Pa Blo-Bzan-Grags-Pa,
Glenn H. Mullin (Translator)
Paperback / Published 1997
Snow Lion Publications
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble
Bliss of Inner Fire:
Heart
Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa
Lama Thubten Yeshe
Paperback / Published 1998
Wisdom
Publications
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble
Songs of Naropa Vol 1
Thrangu Rinpoche
Paperback / Published 1997
Rangjung Yeshe Publications
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble
Vajrayogini’s Eleven Yogas of Generation Stage Practice
As Revealed by Glorious Naropa
Sermey Geshe Lobsang Tharchin
Hardcover / Published 1997
Mahayana Sutra & Tantra Press
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble
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
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble | * | powells
| * | ABE
1st Shambhala ed. 1986:
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble | * | powells
| * | ABE
1983 ed.:
Gtsan-Smyon He-Ru-Ka
information and order from:
amazon.com
| * | barnes
and noble | * | powells
| * | ABE