Date: July 2011Location: Taipei Kagyu Dzogchen Pervasive Dharma Center
Preface
We see the Venerable Milarepa meditating on a freezing mountain, sustaining his body with sparse offerings, clad in tattered robes. Such austere practice is beyond the reach of most in the modern world.
Yet as the Master himself once prayed: “If in the future any sentient being aspires to the path, May my hardship in asceticism clear their obstacles and guide them from deviation.”
Each chapter of his life story shakes the heart, awakening our courage and fortitude. —From the profound teachings of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
We pray that through this union of Dharma and art, this gathering becomes a seed of inspiration and deep inner movement. In an age of chaos, imbalance, and unrest, may we uplift right mindfulness, embody right conduct, transform suffering, and plant the seed of liberation and joy.
Our heartfelt gratitude to: Venerable A-Zin Rinpoche, Chant Master Lama Qiupei, Tibetan celestial vocalist Gesha Qieji, interpreter Venerable Miao-Rong, and calligrapher Master Xi Song.
We also thank Artistic Director and Choreographer Su-Chun Wu, and the devoted creative team: Director Kuo Heng-Chi, Lighting Designers Tsao An-Hui and Lin Yi-Chieh, Stage Designer Li Shih-Chi, Costume Designer Hui-Chung Cheng, Stage Manager Lin Li-Chun, Musicians Tsung-Hsien Wu, Hsiao-Yin Wang, Yi-Shan Lai, Yuan-Fu Ko, Chen-Wei Lo, Yen-Ting Chen, Chieh-Hsin Chang, and Dancers Shu-Han Chan, Hsin-Yi Cheng.
Let us remember the austerity of the Master beneath this open sky and among forested hills— with the sky as roof, the earth as mat, may our bodies and minds settle into the ultimate truth, and may the causes of suffering for all beings be extinguished.
May auspiciousness prevail.
—With aspiration and devotion, Sunan Ani, on behalf of the Kagyu Dzogchen Pervasive Dharma Center
Venerable Milarepa
Venerable Milarepa was born in the early 11th century and is revered as one of the greatest realized masters in the history of Tibetan Buddhism.
His life and teachings transcend sectarian lines, honored by all major Dharma lineages of the Himalayas.
Having endured deep suffering in his youth, Milarepa experienced a profound transformation through the Dharma, finding liberation not apart from pain, but within it.
Under the guidance of his root teacher, the great translator Marpa, he renounced all worldly attachments, dwelling alone in the mountains and snowy peaks.
Clad only in a simple white cotton robe, he came to be known as Jetsun Milarepa, “The Cotton-Clad Saint.”
Realizing that deluded thoughts are none other than the Dharmakaya, and that all phenomena arise dependently and are empty in nature,
he attained supreme realization and awakened freedom.
Milarepa never founded monasteries nor established a sangha; instead, his life of renunciation became the living embodiment of the yogi’s path—pure, solitary, and fearless.
Through miraculous means and spontaneous wisdom, he led countless beings to liberation.
His teachings—particularly the Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa, born from his awakened heart—continue to nourish and awaken practitioners for nearly a thousand years.
Spiritual Teacher: The 3rd A-Zin Rinpoche
A-Zin Rinpoche is recognized as an emanation of one of the heart sons of the 1st Jamgon Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye.
From an early age, the 3rd A-Zin Rinpoche displayed extraordinary signs and inner qualities. At the age of sixteen, moved by profound aspiration and sincere supplication, he entered the traditional three-year and three-month retreat at Milarepa Bokar Monastery, under the guidance of the eminent Kagyu meditation master, His Eminence Bokar Rinpoche.
During the retreat, Rinpoche renounced all privileges associated with being a recognized tulku, and lived as an ordinary monk, sharing in all duties and responsibilities. In deep humility and commitment, he cultivated his practice under Bokar Rinpoche’s guidance, and his meditative realization was confirmed by his masters.
Rinpoche received the complete transmissions and instructions from both Bokar Rinpoche and Khenchen Dorje Rinpoche, practicing them with unwavering sincerity. His faith toward his root guru mirrors that of Milarepa's devotion to Marpa—unyielding and profound. Rinpoche’s life exemplifies humble strength, meditative attainment, and boundless compassion, fully embodying the heart lineage of his blessed teachers.
He is a rare and precious teacher of this age—a youthful meditation master whose depth of samadhi, wisdom, loving-kindness, and compassion await those ready to receive. Though he hides his attainments with deliberate modesty, his qualities are fully known and affirmed by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa.
In late 2010, the Karmapa appointed him as the chief Vajra Master for the grand Mahakala Puja at Bodhgaya. He now resides at his monastery in Nepal—Bangye Monastery—continuing his dedicated work to benefit all beings.
"What are they doing?"
"Rinpoche is communicating with the mountain spirits."
"…Communicating?"
"Yes—letting the mountain spirits, and all sentient and non-sentient beings know that we are here to perform, and that we humbly apologize for the disturbance, while praying for peace, harmony, and a smooth, auspicious unfolding of the event..."
"Song of the Path I" – A Chant in Remembrance of the Master
Out of yearning for my Master’s boundless grace, My heart, parched in longing, finds brief ease. O Father Guru Marpa, Compassionate One, Please hear the sorrowful song of your wandering son:
In the Eastern Jewel Valley, where crimson cliffs rise, White clouds drift gently through the sky. Great mountains surge like charging elephants, And mighty lions stand firm upon their peaks.
Atop these summits stands the sacred monastery, To the right of Amarika’s throne— Is my master Marpa seated there?
If now my Guru graces that seat, Oh, what joy to behold his loving face! Though my faith be small, I long to prostrate; Though my means be meager, I yearn for his gaze. The more I meditate, the more I recall him, The more I practice, the deeper my longing.
My longing surpasses even a mother’s bond— Is Lady Dagmema still dwelling there? If my teacher’s consort remains in peace, Oh, what bliss to behold her kind visage! Though the road be long, I vow to seek, Though the path be steep, I vow to approach— The more I remember, the stronger my love for Marpa, my Father.
"Song of the Path II – The Song of True Benefit”
Before my Guru, the gracious Marpa, I bow in reverence deep and true. Disciples gathered in this final hour, Hear now the parting song of your old father, Milarepa.
By the blessings of my noble Teacher, I, Milarepa, have completed the yogic path. If you practice just as I have taught, The Buddhas of the ten directions shall rejoice.
With joy in my heart, and the Buddhas’ too, All benefit for self and others will blossom. But if you turn from the Dharma's light, You bring harm to all and no fruit shall grow— To such I say: my joy departs.
If your Guru holds not a pure lineage, What use is an empowerment sought in haste? If your heart is not aligned with the Dharma, What use are texts and ritual rites? If worldly desires you still cling to, What use is your practice of deity and view?
When body, speech, and mind stray from the path, Mantra and puja become but sound. If your sharp tongue wounds without restraint, What use is your vow of patience or peace?
If you cling to love and hatred still, Even generous offerings turn hollow. If you fail to crush your selfish mind, Your charity serves only pride.
If you see not all as your former kin, What is the use of monasteries grand? If your mind births not pure perception, Stupas and shrines are but painted stone.
If you cannot meditate with the seasons’ turn, What use are sculpted Buddhas in clay? If prayers do not surge from the depths of heart, What use is incense in the breeze?
If the Master’s words stir not your soul, Then death shall come—empty-handed. If gazing on Buddha stirs no deep faith, The holy image is but decoration.
If no sorrow for samsara moves your heart, Then fleeing the world is self-deceit. If you love not others more than yourself, Your chant of compassion is but a song.
If you don’t cut through your root defilements, Your offerings are piles of sand. If you don’t persist in the Guru’s teachings, A crowd of disciples serves no end.
Abandon all that bears no fruit, For such acts invite only harm. I, Milarepa, have now done all. I leave behind the clutter of worldly things. No further deeds remain—I rest.
“Song of the Path III – The Four Similes and Five Keys to Mind Training”
As boundless space, infinite and all-pervading, So should you behold the mind— Beyond direction, without center or edge.
As sun and moon illumine the skies, dispelling all obscurity, So should you behold the mind— Radiant in clarity, free from darkness.
As the steadfast mountain stands unshaken before you, So should you behold the mind— Firmly abiding, unmoved by winds.
As the ocean vast, immeasurable and deep, So should you behold the mind— Profound and endless, beyond all grasp.
Thus should you contemplate your mind— Free from duality, beyond discursiveness and grasping.
“Song of the Path IV – The Vision of Buddha”
With reverence I bow before my precious Guru, May this song be blessed to deepen the Dharma’s light. Celestial beings gather in joy— Now hear the sublime Dharma I sing.
The vastness of space is filled with sacred presence, But worldly eyes are blind to its radiance. Without the five clairvoyances, How can one behold what I now see as clearly as my own palm?
Through the Guru’s spoken teachings and boundless compassion, Wondrous signs now appear— Five-colored rainbows weave the sky, Heavenly blossoms rain down, Aroma divine, celestial music resounds.
All those gathered with hearts open to the Dharma Feel a surge of pure faith and joy— This too is the blessing of the Guru’s merciful grace.
If you wish to behold the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, You need not seek far— Listen well to this song I sing.
Why do beings fall into suffering? Due to the karma of past misdeeds, Even now, delighting in wrong and shunning the good— Even with old age, they refuse to awaken. Such ones will reap the bitter fruits of their acts.
How to purify these defilements? By ceaselessly remembering virtue, By feeling shame and seeking truth.
Foolish are they who know evil but commit it still, Who forget the meaning of remorse and benefit. They know not their own fate— How then can they guide others? Harming self and others alike, They wander endlessly in confusion.
If you wish to avoid suffering yourself, Do not inflict it upon others.
Before the Buddha and the Guru, Repent all past deeds sincerely, Vow never to repeat them— And the stains of karma will be swiftly washed away.
Those full of sins may seem clever, Yet lacking focus, scattered and unstable— If the Dharma is not in their hearts, It shows their karmic burden still remains.
Therefore, pursue repentance with diligence, Accumulate merit, and press forward without rest. Then, not only will you see the Buddhas— You will behold the highest Buddha: The Tathāgata of your own awakened mind.
Beholding your own mind as the Dharmakāya, Samsara and Nirvana become like a play. Seen all at once, like theater revealed— Then, there is no more practice, only realization.
"Song of the Path V: Prayer and Dedication”
Homage to the Noble Master Marpa.
Though I have committed the five inexpiable sins, May swift repentance purify them completely.
By the virtue and merit I have amassed, By the noble aspirations of the Buddhas of all three times, May the karmic stains of all beings be cleansed and purified.
May all your great sufferings, Be taken on by me and be thus purified. The Guru’s kindness equals that of father and mother— To harm such a teacher is truly pitiable. If such deeds bear painful ripened fruit, May I bear it in your stead, purifying your sin.
At all times and in all places, May I part from companions in evil deeds. In every life, in every moment, May I ever be guided by wise spiritual friends.
May I never amass wealth through unwholesome acts, Nor cause harm or anguish to any being. May all sentient beings throughout the vastness of the Dharma realm Give rise to the heart of compassion and Bodhi.
Kagyü Self-Arising, All-Pervading Dharma Center
Kagyü Self-Arising, All-Pervading Dharma Center
The Kagyü Self-Arising, All-Pervading Dharma Center draws its spiritual essence from the altruistic aspirations of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, and the noble masters—Chökyi Lodrö Jamgön Rinpoche, Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche, and Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche.
Its sacred mission is to offer beings the bliss of liberation. Through diverse activities, it provides a gentle momentum for inner reflection.
In 2009, “Non-Dual Sound and Emptiness: Music Meditation”; in 2010, “Non-Dual Color and Emptiness: Dance Meditation”; and in 2011, “Encountering Milarepa”—these were manifestations of Dharma merged with the arts, reflecting the compassionate vow of the teachers to benefit all beings.
May the cool nectar of the Dharma dissolve the burning sufferings of all beings across all times.
“The wind enters silently in the night, moistening all things without a sound.”
This is the very spirit and value of Self-Arising, All-Pervading presence.
Learn more about the Kagyü Self-Arising, All-Pervading Dharma Center:
Official website: http://www.niguma.org.tw/
Purchase Encountering Milarepa —
Resident Nun of the Kagyü Self-Arising, All-Pervading Dharma Center: Ani Sonam
Born into a devout Buddhist family in Darjeeling, India, Venerable Ani Sonam comes from a lineage of generosity—her grandparents and father established the "Friends of the Poor Society" in Darjeeling, offering regular support to those in need.
Educated under the British system, she graduated from a distinguished British school in Darjeeling. Deeply moved by the Life of the Venerable Milarepa, she vowed to renounce worldly life and receive monastic vows, dedicating her life to the altruistic path of the Dharma.
In 1984, she received full ordination before the First Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche, under whose guidance she completed several extended solitary retreats. In 1987, at the instruction of her Root Guru, she was appointed to reside permanently in Taiwan, where she engaged in various Dharma activities benefiting all beings.
With a deep appreciation for the humanities, arts, and beauty, and sensing the tranquility and joy such experiences can bring, she initiated numerous programs integrating Dharma and the arts—offering to the public spaces of contemplative peace and inner happiness.
