Milarepa: A Story of Struggle, Anguish, Resolution, and Triumph

Born into a prosperous family, Milarepa’s early years were marked by betrayal and suffering after his father’s death, when his relatives seized his family’s wealth. Seeking vengeance, he turned to sorcery, using black magic to unleash destruction upon those who wronged him. However, overwhelmed by remorse, he renounced his past and sought redemption under the guidance of the Buddhist master Marpa Lotsawa. Marpa subjected him to intense trials, including physically exhausting tasks such as repeatedly building and dismantling a nine-story tower. Through perseverance and unwavering dedication, Milarepa proved his sincerity and was eventually granted profound teachings.

Retreating to solitary meditation in remote Himalayan caves, he undertook years of rigorous practice, enduring extreme hardship and surviving on minimal sustenance. Ultimately, he attained enlightenment, emerging as a beacon of wisdom and an exemplar of perseverance.

The painting displayed in this exhibition visually narrates Milarepa’s spiritual odyssey. It captures pivotal moments–his destructive use of magic, his arduous apprenticeship under Marpa, and his ultimate transcendence. Figures of his spiritual lineage, including Marpa, Naropa, and Tilopa, frame the composition, while key individuals from his life, such as his sister, Peta, are depicted in the foreground. Among his eight main disciples, Gampopa and Rechungpa were likened to the sun and moon, while the others were compared to stars and planets, symbolizing their roles in spreading his teachings.

Milarepa’s spontaneous songs of realization continue to inspire, emphasizing renunciation, devotion, and the transformative power of meditation. His journey, fraught with hardship yet culminating in spiritual triumph, serves as an enduring source of wisdom. The painting echoing the timeless lesson that even the greatest suffering can lead to profound enlightenment.

The painting is accompanied by a series of preparatory drawings, illustrating the artist’s conceptual process to create the final work.