Author Description

This Book Traces The Lifestory Of Rechungpa (1084-1161) - The Student Of The Famous Teacher Milarepa - Using Rare And Little-known Manuscripts, And Discovers How The Image Of Both Milarepa And Rechungpa Underwent Fundamental Transformations Over A Period Of Over Three Centuries. The Author Compares Significant Episodes In The Life Of Rechungpa As Portrayed In A Succession Of Texts And Thus Demonstrates The Evolution Of Rechungpa's Biography. This Is The First Survey Of The Surviving Literature Which Includes A Detailed Analysis Of Their Dates, Authorship And Interrelationships. It Shows How Rechungpa Was Increasingly Portrayed As A Rebellious, Volatile And Difficult Pupil, As A Lineage From A Fellow-pupil Prospered To Become Dominant In Tibet.--book Jacket. Acknowledgements -- Preface -- 1. Introduction -- 2. The Biographies -- 3. The Evolution Of Milarepa's Biography -- 4. Rechungpa's Childhood -- 5. A Sick Rechungpa Goes To India -- 6. Rechungpa Is Sent To India For The Teaching Of The Bodiless Dakini -- 7. Rechungpa Obtains The Teachings Of The Bodiless Dakini -- 8. Rechungpa's Return And The Yak Horn That Was Too Small -- 9. Rechungpa's Later Years -- Bibliography. Peter Alan Roberts. Published In Association With The Oxford Centre For Buddhist Studies. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 236-274) And Index.