Milarepa, Tibet's greatest saint, had two major disciples: Gampopa, who established the monastic foundation of the Kagyu lineage, and Rechungpa, who traveled to India and brought back profound teachings which were absorbed into several lineages.
Rechungpa's biography stands out because of the unorthodox unfolding of his realization. His pride and arrogance caused him to go against Milarepa's advice three times, putting his practice at risk. Even with this obstacle, Rechungpa's undying devotion to Milarepa served as the cause for his enlightenment as evidenced by Rechungpa's achievement of rainbow body at his death.
"At this time, as the precious teachings of the incomparable Buddha spread throughout the world, the numbers of the faithful grow daily. These various people want to know of the great learned and accomplished holy beings who arose impartially in the past -- the chronicles of their legacy of good activity for the doctrine, their deeds, their songs, and so forth.
"With these needs and aspirations in mind, Namo Buddha Publications and Kamtsang Shrab Choling have collaborated to translate and publish this essential summary of the activities of Jetsun Rechung Dorje Drakpa. I rejoice in their efforts in this virtuous activity for which they have the highest altruistic intentions."
His Holiness,
The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje
Rechungpa's biography stands out because of the unorthodox unfolding of his realization. His pride and arrogance caused him to go against Milarepa's advice three times, putting his practice at risk. Even with this obstacle, Rechungpa's undying devotion to Milarepa served as the cause for his enlightenment as evidenced by Rechungpa's achievement of rainbow body at his death.
"At this time, as the precious teachings of the incomparable Buddha spread throughout the world, the numbers of the faithful grow daily. These various people want to know of the great learned and accomplished holy beings who arose impartially in the past -- the chronicles of their legacy of good activity for the doctrine, their deeds, their songs, and so forth.
"With these needs and aspirations in mind, Namo Buddha Publications and Kamtsang Shrab Choling have collaborated to translate and publish this essential summary of the activities of Jetsun Rechung Dorje Drakpa. I rejoice in their efforts in this virtuous activity for which they have the highest altruistic intentions."
His Holiness,
The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje
