Naropa

Naropa

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Nāropā (Prakrit; Sanskrit: Nāropadā^[1] or Naḍapāda^[2]) (1016–1100)^[3][4] was an Indian Buddhist Mahasiddha. He was the disciple of Tilopa and brother, or some sources say partner and pupil, of Niguma.^[5] As an Indian Mahasiddha, Naropa's instructions inform Vajrayana, particularly his six yogas of Naropa relevant to the completion stage of anuttarayogatantra.

Although some accounts relate that Naropa was the personal teacher of Marpa Lotsawa, other accounts suggest that Marpa held Naropa's lineage through intermediary disciples only.^[6] However, the fact that every translation work that Marpa carried out begins by paying homage and gratitude to Naropa illustrates that Marpa definitely perceived Naropa as his Root Lama or main teacher.

Name

According to scholar John Newman, "the Tibetans give Nāro's name as Nā ro pa, Nā ro paṇ chen, Nā ro ta pa, and so forth. The manuscript of the Paramarthasaṃgraha preserves a Sanskrit form Naḍapāda (Paramarthasaṃgraha 74). A Sanskrit manuscript edited by Tucci preserves an apparent Prakrit form Nāropā, as well as a semi-Sanskritic Nāropadā (Tucci 1930:150 & 152)."^[7]

Biography

Naropa was born a high status Brahmin but from an early age showed an independent streak, hoping to follow a career of study and meditation. Succumbing to his parents' wishes, he agreed to an arranged marriage with a young Brahmin girl. After 8 years they both agreed to dissolve their marriage and become ordained. At the age of 28 Naropa entered the famous Buddhist University at Nalanda where he studied both Sutra and Tantra. He gained the reputation of a great scholar and faultless debater, essential at that time as the tradition of debate was such that the loser automatically became a student of the winner. He eventually gained the title "Guardian of the Northern gate", engaged in many debates and taught and won many students.

According to his Tibetan namthar, or spiritual biography, one day, while he was studying, a dakini appeared to Naropa and asked if he understood the words of the Dharma, Buddha's teachings. He replied that he did and when she seemed happy with his response, he added that he also understood their meaning. At this point the dakini burst into tears, stating that he was a great scholar, but also a liar, as the only one who understood the teachings was her brother, Tilopa. On hearing the name "Tilopa", he experienced an intense feeling of devotion, and Naropa realized he needed to find the teacher in order to achieve full realization. He abandoned his studies and position at the university and set out to find Tilopa. Naropa then underwent what is known as the twelve minor hardships in his quest to find his teacher, all the hardships being hidden teachings on his path to enlightenment. When he finally met Tilopa, he was given the four complete transmission lineages which he then began to practice. While studying and meditating with Tilopa, Naropa had to undergo a further twelve major hardships, trainings to overcome all the obstacles on his path, culminating in his full realization of Mahāmudrā. Naropa spent a total of twelve years with Tilopa.

Later in his life Naropa stayed in Phullahari, where he died aged 85. One of the few reliable historical accounts of him comes from a Tibetan translator named Ngatso Lotsawa, who made an effort to visit Naropa at the monastery of Phullahari while waiting to visit with Atisha at Vikramashila. He records:

Ruins of Nalanda University

Legacy

Naropa is remembered for his trust and devotion to his teacher, which according to his namthar enabled him to attain enlightenment in one lifetime.

He is also remembered as part of the "Golden Garland", meaning a lineage holder of the Tibetan Buddhist Kagyu school, and was considered an accomplished scholar. A great practitioner, Naropa is best known for having collated the six yogas of Naropa. These practices help achieve Buddhahood more rapidly. Many subsequent Kagyu Karmapas have been particularly adept at one or more of these six yogic practices, which in Vajrayana tradition are held to have been given by the Buddha and were passed on through an unbroken lineage via Tilopa to Naropa, Marpa and Milarepa and on to the present day.

Naropa is considered one of the eighty-four Mahasiddhas, the 'saints' of Vajrayana. The Naropa University in Colorado, U.S.A. was named in his honour.

See also

• six yogas of Naropa
• six yogas of Niguma
• Tilopa
• Mahasiddha
• Marpa
• Kagyu

References

1. ↑ Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophy ed. Oliver Leaman. Routledge: 2001. ISBN 0-415-17281-0 pg 282
2. ↑ "Notes on the Origin of Some Quotations in the Sekoddeśaṭīkā of Naḍapāda" by M. Nihom. Indo-Iranian Journal 27 (1984) pg 17
3. ↑ dharmafellowship.org: Dharma Fellowship: Mahasiddha Sri Naropa
4. ↑ drukpacouncil.org: Mahasiddha Naropa
5. ↑ ni gu ma ( b. 10th cent. )
6. ↑ Davidson, Ronald M. Indian Esoteric Buddhism. pg 144-7. Columbia University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-231-12618-2.
7. ↑ The Outer Wheel of Time: Vajrayāna Buddhist Cosmology in the Kālacakra tantra by John Ronald Newman. PhD thesis, University of Wisconsin--Madison:1987 pg 105 n.97
8. ↑ Davidson, Ronald M. Indian Esoteric Buddhism. pg 317. Columbia University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-231-12618-2.

Further reading

• The Life and Teaching of Naropa by Herbert V Gunther. Shambhala Publications 1999 Massachusetts. ISBN 1-56957-110-4
• The Life of Marpa the Translator, Seeing Accomplishes All. Tsang Nyon Heruka Translated by the Nalanda Translation Committee. Shambhala Publications 1995 Boston. ISBN 1-57062-087-3 (pbk.)
• The Life Story of Naropa by Kenpo Chodrak Rinpoche. Published in Kagyu Life International No's 3 & 4,1995 San Francisco.
• The Golden Kagyu Garland, A History of the Kagyu Lineage, adapted by Bruce Tarver. Published in Buddhism Today Issue 15, 2005
• 2nd Dalai Lama. Tantric Yogas of Sister Niguma, Snow Lion Publications, 1st ed. U. edition (May 1985), ISBN 0-937938-28-9 (10), ISBN 978-0-937938-28-7 (13)
• Naropa by Satyananda Giri.Strategic Publishing Group2011.ISBN 978-1-61204-448-4