Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #161642 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-01
• Original language: Tibetan
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 730 pages

Synopsis
Milarepa was an 11th-century Buddhist yogi revered by Tibetans as the best single exemplar of the religious life. He wandered from village to village, teaching enlightenment through spontaneous songs that are collected here, in a book that is Tibet's Mahabharata, its Bible.

Customer Reviews

A book that established Tibetan Buddhism in the West
Garma C.C. Chang, the translator of these songs, single-handedly preserved this book for the West, for it surely would have disappeared, overlooked by religious popularizers. The degree, Cha Gyur Khan-po, 'professor of translation,' was conferred upon the late Professor Chen-Chi Chang by his guru, a living Buddha, Kong Ka Lama, at the Kong Ka Monestary at Meia Nya, Tibet. The monastery is of the Kargyutpa School, which descended directly from Milarepa's line of gurus. C.C. Chang was more than a translator, however. He was among the greatest Buddhist scholars and teachers of the twentieth century. His studies of both exoteric and esoteric Buddhism are powerful because they are unvarnished. Unfortunately, not all his works are still in print. As he brought Milarepa to the West, he also brought what is perhaps China's greatest contribution to Buddhism (and recall, it was China that gave us Zen), the teachings of the 8th century Hwa Yen school, which is contained in C.C. Chang's book, still in print: The Teaching of Totality. I was deeply fortunate to have known Professor Chang, and I remember his reverence for Milarepa, his delight at the songs. I remember him imploring his students to delve deep into these teachings, from one of Tibet's greatest masters. Now there is this new edition. By itself, the story of Milarepa is magnificent, a tale of naive cruelty, healing, heroic effort and finally mercy and enlightenment. Milarepa is the psalmist of the Himalayas, and the late Professor's translation is a triumph of the heart. The book is a monument and a refuge.

One of the world's great religious texts
This classic, originally a collection of folk narratives, is the myth and history of one of Tibet's legendary reclusive saints. The translation has a fluid and musical quality, and is easily accessible to the contemporary reader. There is much material here to fuel contemplation, particularly the stories concerning the courage to face inner fears and temptations. Meditators and followers of all spiritual paths will find the book most useful, but it is engrossing enough as a folk tale to keep anyone's attention. It is my personal favorite among the world's bibles, and I am delighted to see it reissued.

It is one of the best books I have bought
"For women, the primary source of suffering, I have no appetite," sings Milarepa, the saint the book is about (p. 121).

Instead he settled as a starveling cave-man and stuck to nettle soup till his fairly naked body and hair turned greenish-blue, but he learnt to fly in the air in a yogi way and without wings too. "Every man to his taste." And "He who talks down on woman, forgets Mother. (Norwegian proverb)."

Later the Buddhist yogi realised that his life of extreme penance was hardly ideal for him after all, not fit for the Buddhist Gentle Middle Way of avoiding extremes, and not for anyone either. The hermit Milarepa learnt the value of good and nourishing food and a bit of clothing. His sister Peta helped him, even though her way of life at the time was harldy ideal. She was not his primary source of suffering, it stands out. It was rather his taking to sorcery that was in his case. We get many sayings about that.

Milarepa lived to be 84. In the meantime he got several disciples and his line of transmission - of teachings that encompass practices and attitudes - is intact to this day as one of the main Tibetan sects of Buddhism, Kagya.

Are women the primary source of suffering? I should say no. It is carnal desire for mating. There are very sound biological reasons for such lust - propagation of the species. Such an urge has to compete with and balance the urge of self-preservation too, and may not be pleasant to the individual. Carnal desire can be hard to resist or desist, and it brings on family, children, grandchildren and other relatives. They are key sources of joys and sorrows, to be true. As sources of suffering, some of their effects are estimated in a much used stress scale devised by Rahe and Holmes. They estimate the average stress of major life events, and people who get close to us, sooner or later cause grief, averagely speaking. Marrying is stressful, getting children, death of a spouse (if you are attached to him or her), and so on. Many of the stresses and sorrows of family life can be avoided or lessened by skilful means. Buddha teaches that side to living to, in sutras (discourses) to lay followers. One of them is Digha Nikaya 31: Sigalovada Sutta (The Discourse to Sigala -- "A Layperson's Guidelines". Enlightenment is possible for (married) laypersons too, Buddha tells.

Maybe it is stupidity that is the key source of suffering.

The book of Milarepa (1052-1135) affords very interesting glimpses into the teachings and ways of thinking and customs of Tibetans. In it, the great thing is called Mahamudra. Milarepa learnt to favour its so-called naturalness and easy ways to enter within in a yogi way to go for the Great Awakening.

I like this book.