Exploring the Life and Teachings of Gampopa
Gampopa is predominantly known as the founder of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. His other epithets include Sonam Rinchen, Dakpo Rinpoche and Dakpo Lharjé, "the physician from Dakpo.” His life and teachings have shaped the way many practitioners approach Buddhism today. He went from being a physician to a monk and later a vital disciple of the famous yogi Milarepa, the most revered Siddha in Himalayan Buddhism.
Apart from founding the Kagyu lineage, one of the four main lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, he also authored various esteemed texts, including "The Jewel Ornament of Liberation.” The text became a foundational text in Vajrayana as it is the essence of both the Kadampa and Kagyüpa lineages of Mahayana teachings.
Gampopa Origins: Key Events Before Monkhood
Gampopa was born Sonam Rinchen in 1079 in Nyel, Central Tibet. He showcased many splendid qualities since his early childhood and became highly interested in medicine. Hence, he had become a skilled physician, serving his community before his monkhood. His life took a dramatic turn when he was 24, a time when he was a full-fledged family man.
His wife became so ill that despite his best efforts, Sonam was unable to cure her. Meanwhile, the wife was unable to experience death even though she was in great pain. The reason was her love and attachment to Sonam.
She said "I am not attached to possessions, nor wealth, nor faith, but I am very attached to you. Because you are only 24 years old, and you are very handsome, it is very hard for me to leave you. It is my attachment to you is so very strong that I am unable to experience death."
Thus, to end his beloved's suffering, Sonam Rinchen promised that he would not remarry after her death. Then, only his wife experienced natural death as she overcame her attachment to the mortal world.
Encounter with Milarepa and the Turning Point
During one of his retreats, Sonam heard three hungry beggars outside. The beggars were discussing their wishes about how one wanted a bowl of food, another longed to be a mighty king, and the third desired the wisdom and power of a famous yogi named Milarepa. He was so overwhelmed by hearing the name of Milarepa that the future Rinpoche fainted. When he woke up, he eagerly sought out the beggars for more information about the divine guru. He set off to meet the Guru right after regaining his consciousness.
On the way, Rinpoche was hosted by a woman who was a devoted follower of Milarepa. The next day, when he finally met Milarepa's student, he was unexpectedly given a task: to purify his pride by living under a rock for two weeks. The holy Mahasiddha Miarepa had not immediately bestowed Sonam with his teachings. It took an extended period of time for Sonam to become one of the only two reputed students of the divine guru.
Milarepa had asked Dakpo Rinpoche to set off on numerous meditative journeys and explain each lesson sequence. In one of these routines, he also taught him yoga and explained the meaning of the meditative experiences and ways to understand them.
And one time when Gampopa left to meditate for good, Milarepa told the students that U-pa Tonpa would be a great being and benefit many others. U translates to “central” and pa means person in Tibetan; thus, he is also known by his other name, U-Pa Tonpa, that means the person who came from central Tibet.
With such deep guidance from his guru, Sonam Rinchen became Gampopa and garnered adherent students. One legend expresses that his 51,600 students were all emanations of Shakyamuni Buddha. According to Samadhi Raja Sutra, Sonam Rinpoche was a foremost student of Milarepa in his previous birth. His previous birth form, Dakpo Rinpoche, was born in 1016, and that was not his only life as a bodhisattva. After many previous lives and incarnations as an enlightened one, he also served Shakyamuni Budda by practicing Ayurveda. During this time, he made a commitment to Buddha that he would spread Dharma and the Sutra. Hence, his birth in 1079 as Sonam was the life where he fulfilled his promise and Buddha helped him so by taking the form of the students.
Gampopa Founded the Kagyu Lineage
Gampopa emerged as a respected teacher after Milarepa’s passing. Under those circumstances, He founded the first Kagyu monastery, Daglha Gampo, in the Dagpo region, followed by other monastic institutions.
He recognized the need to bridge the gap between the profound insights of the yogis and the monastic tradition. As he was a brilliant thinker who saw the value in both the deep spiritual insights of Milarepa and the organized methods of the Kadam school. He skillfully blended these two approaches, creating a harmonious path that made it easier for others to follow. He passed on these precious teachings to his committed students who later dedicated their lives to sharing this knowledge with others. As a result, the chain formed the strong foundation of the Kagyu lineage.
Gampopa created a powerful and enduring lineage by combining the profound wisdom of the yogis with the structure of the monastic tradition that has flourished for centuries. The Kagyu school emphasizes on direct experience and meditation.
Gampopa Meditation Practices and Techniques
Gampopa emphasized a variety of meditation practices coordinating to his teachings. His major lessons are mentioned below:
Shamatha: Calming the mind through focused attention.
Vipassana: Insight meditation to directly perceive the nature of reality.
Mahamudra: A profound meditation practice that unites wisdom and method.
Six Yogas of Naropa
The master of Mahamudra, Naropa and his practices were axial to the development of Tibetan Buddhism. They remain relevant and are still being studied and practiced today. His contribution towards the preservation, development, and transmission of Buddhist teachings, particularly in Tibet makes him an indispensable figure in the history and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.
Naropa had acquired his master Tilopa's teachings. From there, the knowledge was brought to Tibet by his disciple, Marpa, a master renowned for his yogic attainments. Marpa's most notable student, Milarepa, a paragon of yogic practice, transmitted the teachings to Gampopa.
The latter, in turn, codified these profound instructions in various meditation manuals, now compiled in the Dakpö Kambum under the title "Meditation manuals on the six dharmas of Naropa." This invaluable collection forms the heart of the Kagyu lineage, where the practice of these six dharmas continues to flourish.
The Six Yogas of Naropa are a set of advanced yogic practices designed to accelerate the path to enlightenment are:
Tummo: Generating inner heat to purify the body.
Dream Yoga: Developing conscious awareness while dreaming.
Clear Light Yoga: Experiencing the luminous nature of consciousness.
Illusion Yoga: Overcoming the illusion of a separate self.
Cemetery Charnel Ground Yoga: Confronting fear and impermanence.
Yoga of Bardo: Navigating the intermediate states between death and rebirth.
Dakpo Rinpoche passed away in 1053 and his legacy was preserved by his four students. The students’ compiled his lessons in the “four great” schools of the Kagyupa. While the traditions of Kagyupa surged to twelve schools (four greater and eight lesser schools), they all are deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism.
Gampopa: A Timeless Legacy
Gampopa and his Dharma are a testament to the power of compassion, dedication, and spiritual insight. He left a lasting legacy that continues to guide and inspire countless practitioners as the founder of the Kagyu tradition. His story evokes the transformative potential within each of the mortal beings and the importance of compassion and wisdom on the path to awakening.
His brilliance was his ability to bridge ancient wisdom with practical application to transform complex spiritual concepts into a roadmap that anyone could follow. His teachings continue to resonate with seekers today, inspiring a deeper understanding of Buddhism and its relevance in the modern world.
His wisdom offers profound insights for anyone on a spiritual journey. No matter the meditation, philosophical ways, or the rich tapestry of the Kagyu lineage, his legacy invites exploration.
From his early days as a healer to his later role as a spiritual master, his life exemplifies the transformative power of dedicated practice. His enduring influence has shaped the course of Tibetan Buddhism and continues to inspire practitioners worldwide. His teachings remain a beacon, guiding seekers towards enlightenment.
