MILAREPA'S FINAL TEACHING TO GAMPOPA

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Milarepa and his disciple Gampopa

Milarepa, a Tibetan master was born in Lhasa about one thousand years ago near Nepalese border. He is one of the highly revered and respected Buddhist Masters. He chose the path of Buddhism to purify the actions he has taken in the past. It is said that Milarepa achieved Buddhahood in a same lifetime under his Guru, Marpa.

However, following Marpa was not an easy task. He was absolutely certain more harsh and powerful methods were necessary to transform Milarepa. He was continuously tested and pushed to his physical and emotional limits. 

Milarepa meditated in mountain for many years, until his clothes turned into rags, his bones protruded and barely drink or ate properly. The Nettles he ate  during the retreat turned his skin into green color. He had numerous disciples, among them Gampopa was a brightest disciple.

“One day, Milarepa warned Gampopa that the time had come for him to depart. He told Gampopa, "You have received the entire transmission. I have given you all the teachings, as if pouring water from one vase into another. Only one teaching is remained, I have yet to give.”

He then accompanied Gampopa to a river, where they were to part. Gampopa made prostrations to take his leave and started across. But Milarepa realizes, if I do not give this last teaching to this disciple, then who else. So he calls him back: "You are a really good disciple. Anyway, I will give you my last teaching."

Overjoyed, Gampopa asks, what teaching Guru ? then waited for the instructions. Milarepa proceeded to turn around, pull up his robe, showing Gampopa his bottom. "Do you see?"

And Gampopa said, "Uh...yes..."

"Do you really see?" asked Milarepa

Gampopa was not sure what he was supposed to see. Milarepa had calluses on his buttocks; they looked as though they were half flesh and half stone.

Everything I’ve achieved and all the wisdom I’ve gained in this lifetime, it was due to this, said Milarepa.  ‘You see, this is how I reached enlightenment: sitting and meditating. If you want to reach it in this life, make the same effort, do not stop meditating,  This is my final teaching. I have nothing more to add.

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References

Dr. Kabindra Bajracharya, Buddhist Scholar. Associate professor, Cataract & PHACO Surgeon,Consultant Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Outreach Director at Lumbini Eye Institute.

Lion's Roar Staff. "Who was Milarepa?" September 16, 2018. https://www.lionsroar.com/the-life-of-milarepa/

Instagram, unique_bhutan. November 21, 2022. https://www.instagram.com/unique_bhutan/