Marpa (1012 - 1097)
Marpa Lotsawa, called "The Translator", was the first Tibetan lineage holder of the Kagyu Lineage. The lay and yogi transmissions of the Kagyu lineage are often called "Marpa Kagyu." During his time in India, he received many teachings and empowerments and translated them into Tibetan.
Because of his lifestyle as a "house-holder" (Lay Buddhist), he is of special interest to the people in the west. He wasn't a monk nor a yogi - he had a house, a wife and children.
Marpa was born in Lhodrag in southern Tibet. His parents were rich landowners. The young Marpa (called Dharma Wangchuk) was aggressive and very stubborn so at the age of twelve, he was sent to a Lama. He quickly learned to read and write. But this didn't change his character. As his parents feared that he will do them great harm, they sent him far away to a monastery in western Tibet. He stayed there for three years but he didn't get Diamond Way teachings so he decided to go to India to get them.
He asked his parents for his inheritance and went to Nepal where he met two disciples of Naropa. When he heard the name Naropa, Marpa felt the strong urge to meet him but first, he decided to stay in Nepal for three years to get used to the climate. When he reached India, Naropa welcomed him as "his son" as Marpa's appearance was a prophecy by Tilopa. Marpa received teachings, empowerments and initiations from Naropa about Hevajra and other meditation deities. Hevajra became the main practice of Marpa.
From Maitripa, Marpa received the Mahamudra teachings and from the Dakini Niguma, the Cathupitha Tantra. After that he received the transmission of "Highest Bliss" (Khorlo Demchog) from Naropa and practised hard what later would be called "The six teachings of Naropa". All in all, he stayed in India for 12 years. Then, he went back to Tibet to teach the Dharma and to give empowerments. During these activities, he collected gold for his second trip to India. In those days, the disciples used to bring precious things to their gurus to show how important they considered the teachings. During his time in Tibet, Marpa married Dagmema.
While staying in India for the second time, he went deeper into his studies with Naropa and Maitripa. After six years, he went back to Tibet and lived many years in Lhodrag. At that time, his most important disciple Milarepa came to meet him. Marpa travelled a third time to meet his teacher to get the empowerments Naropa had promised him. On his way to India, he met Atisha. Atisha was teaching the monastic aspects of Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet while Marpa was bringing the Tantra teachings to Tibet. Atisha told Marpa that Naropa couldn't be met as a human - only disciples with a high degree of devotion and confidence would be able to meet him.
Marpa searched eight months for Naropa. Then, he saw the mandala of Hevajra. He called for Naropa and he appeared. From Naropa, Marpa received two empowerments. One of them was Phowa Tronjug, the transference of consciousness from one being to another. This turned out to be important when one of Marpa's sons died. After three years he went back to Tibet and for the rest of his life he taught the Dharma in Tibet. He spent 16 years with his teacher altogether.
