A Gift of Dharma for 11.7.09
Today’s quote comes to us from the great mahasiddha Tilopa (988-1069).
Though Marpa the Translator is commonly recognized as the formal founder of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Tilopa is significant in conversations about the origin of the school by virtue of his being the first human being in the lineage tree. He was the teacher of Naropa, who was in turn the teacher of Marpa, who was in turn the teacher of Milarepa, who was in turn the teacher of Gampopa, who was in turn the teacher of the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa. (The Karmapa Lamas are recognized as the spiritual heads of the Karma Kagyu tradition.)
During meditation, Tilopa received a vision of Vajradhara, who transmitted to him the Mahamudra teachings. He later gave these teachings to Naropa in lyric form. That teaching, The Ganges Mahamudra, has been translated into English by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche.
Of this important figure, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa has said: “When one shares the things that one has discovered with others, the benefit this brings to beings is beyond any limit. An example of such a noble person is Tilopa, who taught his wisdom and realization, and benefited innumerable beings.”
Here’s the quote:
Let go of what has passed. Let go of what may come. Let go of what is happening now. Don’t try to figure anything out. Don’t try to make anything happen. Relax, right now, and rest.
