Difference between revisions of "Maitripa (1010-1089)"
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| − | Maitripa (1010-1089) is an important figure both in mahayana and vajrayana Buddhism. It is through him that Maitreya and Asanga's crucial work on Buddha nature, the Uttara Tantra Sastra, became widely followed in Tibet. | + | [[Maitripa]] (1010-1089) is an important figure both in [[mahayana]] and [[vajrayana]] [[Buddhism]]. It is through him that [[Maitreya]] and [[Asanga's]] crucial work on [[Buddha nature]], the [[Uttara Tantra]] [[Sastra]], became widely followed [[in Tibet]]. |
| − | He also transmitted the esoteric aspect of Buddha nature, embodied in the mahamudra teachings, which treat the topic of mind in great detail and provide a wide range of progressive, highly-refined meditations. | + | He also transmitted the [[esoteric]] [[aspect of Buddha nature]], [[embodied]] in the [[mahamudra]] teachings, which treat the topic of [[mind]] in great detail and provide a wide range of progressive, highly-refined [[meditations]]. |
| − | He was brought to his own enlightenment through mahamudra under Savari and, most importantly, became the guru of Marpa, the Tibetan forefather of the Kagyu lineage. | + | He was brought to his [[own]] [[enlightenment]] through [[mahamudra]] under [[Savari]] and, most importantly, became the [[guru]] of [[Marpa]], the [[Tibetan]] forefather of the [[Kagyu lineage]]. |
| − | It is said that he had been a student of Naropa, when the latter was head of Nalanda monastic university. Later he had spent time at Vikramasila, which was enjoying its zenith of fame. The great Atisa was its head of discipline. | + | It is said that he had been a [[student of Naropa]], when the [[latter]] was head of [[Nalanda monastic university]]. Later he had spent time at [[Vikramasila]], which was enjoying its [[zenith]] of [[fame]]. The great [[Atisa]] was its head of [[discipline]]. |
| − | Despite knowing Maitripa's pre-eminence as a scholar and yogin, he was obliged to expel him when his yogic activities (involving alcohol and a woman) caused gossip. The monastic community only realized their loss | + | Despite [[knowing]] [[Maitripa's]] pre-eminence as a [[scholar]] and [[yogin]], he was obliged to expel him when his [[yogic]] [[activities]] (involving [[alcohol]] and a woman) [[caused]] {{Wiki|gossip}}. The [[monastic community]] only [[realized]] their loss |
| − | when Maitripa showed his realization by the miracle of using a small leather cushion as a boat to cross the nearby Ganges. Thereafter he lived the life of a mahasiddha and it was during that time that he took Savari as his guru. | + | when [[Maitripa]] showed his [[realization]] by the [[miracle]] of using a small leather cushion as a boat to cross the nearby [[Ganges]]. Thereafter he lived the [[life]] of a [[mahasiddha]] and it was during that time that he took [[Savari]] as his [[guru]]. |
| − | Such anecdotal stories are interesting but in many ways detract from the spiritual immensity of someone such as Maitripa, whose purity of mind and breadth of dharma were to leave an impact for thousands of years. | + | Such anecdotal stories are [[interesting]] but in many ways detract from the [[spiritual]] immensity of someone such as [[Maitripa]], whose [[purity]] of [[mind]] and breadth of [[dharma]] were to leave an impact for thousands of years. |
| − | We feel something of his immensity in the biography of his student, Marpa, who is overwhelmed with bliss at the mere thought of him. | + | We [[feel]] something of his immensity in the {{Wiki|biography}} of his [[student]], [[Marpa]], who is overwhelmed with [[bliss]] at the mere [[thought]] of him. |
Latest revision as of 05:03, 15 January 2022
Maitripa (1010-1089) is an important figure both in mahayana and vajrayana Buddhism. It is through him that Maitreya and Asanga's crucial work on Buddha nature, the Uttara Tantra Sastra, became widely followed in Tibet.
He also transmitted the esoteric aspect of Buddha nature, embodied in the mahamudra teachings, which treat the topic of mind in great detail and provide a wide range of progressive, highly-refined meditations.
He was brought to his own enlightenment through mahamudra under Savari and, most importantly, became the guru of Marpa, the Tibetan forefather of the Kagyu lineage.
It is said that he had been a student of Naropa, when the latter was head of Nalanda monastic university. Later he had spent time at Vikramasila, which was enjoying its zenith of fame. The great Atisa was its head of discipline.
Despite knowing Maitripa's pre-eminence as a scholar and yogin, he was obliged to expel him when his yogic activities (involving alcohol and a woman) caused gossip. The monastic community only realized their loss
when Maitripa showed his realization by the miracle of using a small leather cushion as a boat to cross the nearby Ganges. Thereafter he lived the life of a mahasiddha and it was during that time that he took Savari as his guru.
Such anecdotal stories are interesting but in many ways detract from the spiritual immensity of someone such as Maitripa, whose purity of mind and breadth of dharma were to leave an impact for thousands of years.
We feel something of his immensity in the biography of his student, Marpa, who is overwhelmed with bliss at the mere thought of him.
Source
[[1]]
