KDTL -----Life of the Mahasiddha Tilopa

(988-1069 CE)

Tilopa was born to Brahmin royals in east Bengal. His parents prayed to the yidam Chakrasamvara for a child, and hence Tilopa was born.

A dakini, in the form of an hideous old woman, appeared to Tilopa when he was young and inquired about his status, origin and family. In response to Tilopa's casual reply, she said: “Your country is Udiyana, your father is Chakrasamvara, your mother is Vajrayogini.”

Tilopa was then instructed to go to Udiyana, the pure realm of Guru Padmasambhava, in order to receive teachings from the dakinis (sky-goddesses who often guard the dharma). Tilopa faced numerous obstacles and the dakinis appeared in many fearsome forms. However, after realizing that Tilopa was the prophesied master to receive the transmission, the Dakini Queen bestowed the transmissions of various tantras (buddhist transmission teachings). Afterward, Tilopa went to the Crest Ornament Monastery. There, under the name of monk Prajnabhadra, he studied Buddhist philosophy.

The two main lineages Tilopa received from enlightened beings were from Vajrayogini and Vajrapani. The lineages which Tilopa received from human lineage holders are as follows:

Nagarjuna transmitted the Guhyasamaja Tantra, Clear Light and Illusory Body yogas to Tilopa. Afterward, Nagarjuna instructed Tilopa to return to his kingdom and assume the throne. Even when the Persians attacked his country, King Tilopa was so powerful that he stopped them without any bloodshed; he miraculously caused the entire army to become blinded by the power of blazing light and caused a forest of trees to become a huge army of soldiers (which the Persians fled from).

Tilopa received the Hevajra Tantra, Clear Light Dream Yoga and Bardo Yoga from Rolpe Dorje, the disciple of Lawapa. Nampar Gyalwa transmitted the Chakrasamvara lineage of Luipa to Tilopa. From Shawaripa, the disciple of Nagarjuna and Saraha, Tilopa received the complete Mahamudra instructions. From the Arya Saryapa, Tilopa received the Tummo, or inner heart, yoga transmission. From Sukhasiddhi, a great female master, Tilopa received the consciousnes-transference practice (phowa). From Matangi, he was instructed on how to resurrect a dead person. From Indrabhuti, Tilopa received the teachings on supreme wisdom (prajna).

Afterward, Tilopa meditated for twelve years in a cave with his feet chained, accomplishing great realization about the true nature of the mind. After the twelve years, the chains spontaneously broke by themselves. That is when Nagarjuna sent a dakini to teach Tilopa. The dakini, in order to rid Tilopa of his pride as a King and finally break through his remaining obstacles, ordered Tilopa to grind sesame seeds for a prostitute.

Tilopa achieved his final realizations as the prostitute’s worker. The great siddha flew into the sky, and through his power caused the prostitute to likewise experience realization. The local ruler and the community witnessed the astounding event, and all became filled with devotion. Tilopa taught them that just as one must diligently pound the sesame seeds in order to extract oil, one must diligently practice in order to arrive at Buddhahood. Tilopa’s fame spread throughout India.

The town where Tilopa realized complete enlightenment is known as Tilokpur, located in northern India near Dharamsala.

Tilopa continued to change the hearts of many beings without any bias. He could manifest in many ways and performed numerous extraordinary wonders. Tilopa converted a Yoga practitioner through miracles, which included turning his body inside out, manifesting mandalas from every pore, and galloping over the sun and moon after bringing them down to earth.

In order to convert a barmaid, Tilopa drank over seven cellars of beer but miraculously replaced it all. Likewise Tilopa often manifested as hunters and butchers in order to cause other hunters and butchers to lose their means of wrong livelihood. Tilopa converted sorcerers and scholars with atheistic views. He once converted a ruthless butcher by turning the meat in the pot into the meat of the butcher’s own son, causing the butcher to finally understand the horror of the sins he had been committing.

On certain rare occasions, Tilopa manifested as Chakrasamvara and as the embodiment of numerous other enlightened beings.

The transmission lineage of the Kagyu lineage begins with Tilopa; he saw face-to-face the true nature of reality as represented by the Buddha Dorje Chang.