Home > Classes > Lecture on Milarepa, Tibet’s famous Yogi

At Shantideva Center

Milarepa by Robert Beer

Lecture:
Milarepa
The Most Famous Tibetan Yogi and Mystic

June 19, 2025 | 7 – 8.30PM | ONLINE from Shantideva Center, NYC

During this lecture you will learn all about Milarepa, his interesting story and his iconography in Tibetan art. This presentation is offered by renowned thangka painter Carmen Mensink from The Netherlands, and ends with a Q&A.

Free for those joining the weekend course
This lecture will be free for those who sign up for the subsequent thangka weekend course where you’ll learn to draw Milarepa according to the Tibetan tradition.

Yogi, Mystic and Poet
Born in southwest Tibet near the Nepalese border, Milarepa (1052-1135 CE) is considered the most famous tantric yogi and mystic. He is remembered for his remarkable determination and personal growth. His inspiring story traces the very familiar, human progression from confusion to clarity. He is generally considered one of Tibet’s most famous yogis and spiritual poets, whose teachings are known among several schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

At age seven, Milarepa’s father died, and he and his mother were cruelly treated by his uncle who was after the family property. In order to take revenge, Milarepa became an apprentice to a magician, and by practicing black magic, he not only caused the death of his uncle but also destroyed many other lives. Tormented by guilt and remorse, he set out in search of insight, but the teacher he found -the famous Marpa- ruthlessly subjected him to one severe test after another until all his negative karma was purified.

As a great tantric yogi, Milarepa achieved many spiritual realizations and eventually attained full enlightenment. He is also praised for the songs and poems he left behind.

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