Life Story of Milarepa

by Albertsen, Ken; Lhalungpa, Lobsang P.

• ISBN13: 9781577332312
• ISBN10: 1577332318
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-03-04
• Publisher: Blue Dolphin Pub

Summary

This edition includes a 4-hour audio CD read by the author. Milarepa was a Buddhist saint and a singer of spiritual poems who lived in Tibet some nine hundred years ago. Milarepa¿s story takes place along the high ridges of the Himalayas and is based in large part on true events in his life. Tibetans in particular, and others who are familiar with Tibetan Buddhism, place Milarepa in an exalted status, as both a folk hero, and a living Buddha. Milarepa¿s teachings are the inspiration for the Diamond Way Karma Kagyü lineage, which is an unbroken succession of lamas (lama, meaning: spiritual teacher) dating from ancient times. Milarepa¿s life also offers insights into the spiritual richness of ancient Tibet, which included the so-called ¿white Bon¿ teachings. Some episodes may seem outlandish, but the reader/listener can decide whether those parts are true-to-life depictions, or whether they are embellishments that one might expect from centuries of re-telling a story of such epic proportions. This text does not attempt to cover the myriad details of Milarepa¿s life, nor does it try to explain the intricacies of Buddhist philosophy, but rather tells the unusual story of a uniquely spiritual man, and the many challenges in his life. Endorsements "Among the great realized yogis of Tibet nobody touched people through the centuries like 'Laughing Diamond,' Milarepa Shepa Dorje. Enjoy his words and find inner freedom!" Lama Ole Nydahl, author, Entering the Diamond Way and The Great Seal "As a Russian who travels arount Tibet, researching Milarepa and Marpa, and such places where they roamed, I was very happy to read this version of Milarepa's life and found it very inspiring, concise, and touching --unlike more academic editions." Boris Erokhin / Buddhism.ru "I really enjoyed the audio book. The story is so grounded in simple human reflection. It had a sobering effect on me to perceive of such a larger-than-life character such as Milarepa having such simple problems like me, and be perplexed like me. It made me laugh and let go in some ways." Gabriel Lopez, Seattle

Author Biography

Ken Albertsen is an American who moved to northernmost Thailand in 1998. Besides writing books (Adventure1.com), he has developed orchards specializing in fruits and nuts not already available in Southeast Asia. Another ongoing project is developing a meditation and cleansing retreat on five secluded acres--with rock climbing crags near the tourist town of Chiang Rai.