Now, you are likely wondering (since you are reading this) "What is Milarepa Day?" This is an annual commemoration of the life and enlightenment of Milarepa, who is considered one of the greatest examples of a dharma practitioner in all of Himalayan Buddhism. What is most significant about him is the fact that he got enlightened in one lifetime with many years left to teach, even after amassing the immense negative karma of killing several people in his village (including his relatives) at the request of his mother. Basically, if HE could get enlightened, ANYONE can if they practice it diligently enough.
Milarepa is also known for his spontaneous teaching songs, or 'dohas'. In the Kagyü lineage of buddhism, there is a long history of using songs to convey meditation instructions. The late, great eccentric translator Dr. Robin Kornman called us "the Southern Baptists of Buddhism" for this reliance on songs. Since many members of this tradition were illiterate (since that was unfortunately common in olde Tibet), these songs were often the -only- way to teach yogis and yoginis what they should practice and what they should abandon.
These songs and stories of realization are very famous in Tibetan literature. Also, for a songwriter (which I am), I've found it's very good to tap into this tradition. Most of what was read on Milarepa Day in DC were songs from lamas of the Karma Kagyu tradition, which is what Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, the founder of what became the Shambhala centers, was trained in. (In the Kagyu lineage (aka "the practice lineage"), there used to be "four great and eight lesser lineages". )
Here's some photos of us reading through all this. Different people came and went during the course of the day. There were a few stalwarts who stayed the whole time (myself included).
Also, my job's contract ended two weeks ago, so I am back in the 'employment bardo'. It sucks, but, well, this- IS- samsara which, to a certain extent, is supposed to suck. :) TBC...
