Marpa Lotsawa facts for kids
Marpa Lotsāwa (མར་པ་ལོ་ཙཱ་བ་ཆོས་ཀྱི་བློ་གྲོས་, 1012–1097) was a very important Tibetan Buddhist teacher. People often called him Marpa the Translator. He brought many special teachings from India to Tibet. These teachings included the ideas of Mahamudra, which is a deep way of understanding things. Because of Marpa, the Kagyu lineage (a type of Buddhist school) is often called Marpa Kagyu to honor him.
Marpa learned from several great teachers. Some stories say his main teacher was Naropa, a very wise person. Other stories suggest Marpa learned Naropa's teachings through other students. Marpa was also a direct student of Maitripa and a female teacher named Niguma.
Contents
Marpa's Life Story
Marpa was born in 1012 in a place called Lhodrak Chukhyer in southern Tibet. His full name was Marpa Chökyi Lodrö. He came from a rich family. Even though he started studying when he was young, he was known for being a bit wild compared to other kids.
Early Studies and First Trip
Marpa first studied for three years with a teacher named Drokmi Shakya Yeshe. He became very good at Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. He then decided to travel to India to learn from famous Buddhist masters there.
His first trip was to Nepal and India. He went with another translator, Nyo Lōtsawa, working as his helper. When Marpa returned home, he turned all his family's money into gold. He used this gold to pay for his travels and to give gifts to his teachers.
Learning in India
Marpa first went to Nepal. There, he studied with Paindapa and Chitherpa, who were both students of Naropa. Paindapa later went with Marpa to Pullahari, a place near Nalanda University, where Naropa taught.
Marpa spent twelve years studying with Naropa and other great Indian teachers, especially Maitripada. After these twelve years, he started his journey back to Tibet. He wanted to teach others and continue spreading the dharma (Buddhist teachings).
Marpa traveled to India two more times and to Nepal three more times. He continued to learn from Naropa and other important teachers like Maitripa. It is said he even stayed in a cave at Phugtal Monastery.
On his third visit to India, it was hard to find Naropa. Naropa was busy with special practices. But Marpa eventually found him and received his final teachings. Naropa told Marpa that his own family line would not continue, but his teachings would live on through his students. Naropa then officially declared Marpa to be his main successor.
Returning to Tibet and His Legacy
When Marpa returned to Tibet, he spent many years translating Buddhist books. He played a huge part in bringing the complete Buddhist teachings to Tibet. Marpa kept practicing and giving lessons to many students.
After his second trip to India, Milarepa became his most famous student. When Marpa's son, Darma Dode, passed away, Milarepa became the one to carry on Marpa's teachings fully. Marpa lived with his wife, Dakmema, and their sons in Lhodrak. He is also believed to have started Stongdey Monastery in 1052 CE.
Marpa's teachings focused on two main systems: the "Six Teachings of Naropa" and the "Great Seal" (Mahamudra). The "Six Teachings of Naropa" included special ways to practice things like lucid dreaming.
Images for kids
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A traditional depiction of Marpa painted on a rock on Holy Isle, Firth of Clyde
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Lotsawa Marpa Chokyi Lodro, (1012-1097)
See also
In Spanish: Marpa para niños
