See KAGYÐPA. MONK. The Tibetans have novices and fully-ordained monks (Skt. bhikshu) as in other Buddhist traditions. The status of monk is respected, but it is not as central to the religious tradition in some ways as in the Theravadin countries, because of the greater importance of lay practice and particularly the role of the LAMA. Note that most monks are not lamas, and lamas are not necessarily monks.
an early Tibetan meditation master who was famous for meditating in caves in isolated places.
(Tibet 1040-1123) Foremost disciple of Marpa, famous for his intense practice, devotion to his guru, attainment of enlightenment in his lifetime, and his many songs of spiritual realization.
(Tib.): Great Tibetan practitioner (1040-1123), famed for his attainment of Buddhahood in one lifetime.
Tibet's great yogi, who achieved enlightenment in his lifetime under the tutelage of his guru, Marpa, who was a contemporary of Atisha. One of the founding fathers of the Kagyu School.
( Tib.): (1040-1123). Considered Tibet's greatest poet and one its most beloved yogis, Mila was the supreme disciple of Marpa and the primary teacher of Gampopa. The Kagyu master is renowned for having undergone immense hardships in order to attain enlightenment in one lifetime. Milarepa's biography and spiritual songs are some of the most loved works in Tibetan Buddhism.
(1052-1135) (Mi-la-ri-ba): Disciple of Marpa and teacher of Gampopa. Because of his black karma (he killed many people) he had to undergo extremely difficult tests before Marpa would teach him the esoteric Dharma. His biography is an excellent introduction to what is involved in following this path.
Jetsun Milarepa (Wylie: Rje btsun Mi la ras pa), 1052-1135 (approx) was one of Tibet's most famous yogis and poets, a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and a major figure in the history of the Kagyu (Bka'-brgyud) school of Tibetan Buddhism.
The India film Milarepa, produced in 2006 is set in the magnificent Spiti Valley high in the Himalayas in the Zanskar region close to the border between India and Tibet. The film is about the adventurous formative years of the legendary budhist mystic, Milarepa (1052-1135) who is one of the most widely known Tibetan Saints, but whom set out for vengeance and retribution. The film has spectacular cinematography and convincing performances in this combined myth, biography, adventure, history and docudrama.