Gtsaṅ-smyon He-ru-ka (1452–1507)

Fantastic spiritual biography. Milarepa's journey from black magician to enlightened saint was touching, and surprisingly readable! While it was very inspirational, there was a line near the end that was so irreverent that I cackled loudly in the quiet bookshop I work at.

The Life of Milarepa is the most beloved story of the Tibetan people amd one of the greatest source books for the contemplative life in all world literature. This biography, a true folk tale from a culture now in crisis, can be read on several levels: a personal and moving introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, it is also a profoundly detailed guidebook in the search for consciousness. It presents the quest for spiritual perfection, tracing the path of a great sinner who became a great saint. But show more it is also a powerful and graphic folk tale, full of magic, disaster, feuds, deceptions, and humor. This definitive translation, originally published in 1977, was the first to appear in any Western language in half a century and renders this classic of spiritual literature into a simple modern English that reflects the direct power of the original. show less

This was an assigned reading for one of my religion classes, though I have to say that it was very enlightening. I'm not necessarily a believer of Buddhism, but it was very interesting reading about the life story of young (and old) Milarepa. From starting off at just a low point in his life to reaching his greatest goals and aspirations, it is a wonderful story that illustrates that we are capable of shaping our own destiny, no matter how many people try to hold us back.

The Life of Milarepa follows the titular character's fall deeper into the bounds of samsaric existence, his realization of it's emptiness, and the path through which his attains liberation. The narrative is complex and incorporates seemingly contradictory attitudes towards the body and family. It's an interesting read for those interested in Tibetan Buddhism or any student of ascetic practice.