33.5"x23.75" " Naropa Buddhist Thangka Painting

Guru Naropa - Master of the Six Yogas

Naropa was an acclaimed Buddhist scholar who lived in the Bengal region of India/Bangladesh around 1000 A.D. He was the primary disciple of the great Teacher Tilopa, who is best known for receiving the Mahamudra teachings directly from Buddha Vajradhara. Under the tutelage of Tilopa, Naropa underwent intense hardships and was rewarded with correspondingly profound realizations, enabling him to attain enlightenment in one lifetime. Tilopa appointed Naropa as his successor, and in turn, Naropa became the main Teacher of Marpa "the translator", who founded the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Widely renowned as a master meditator, Naropa is most famous for expounding the so-called Six Yogas of Naropa, a set of techniques designed to enhance the practice of Mahamudra. Over time, the teachings of the Six Yogas pervaded thousands of monasteries and hermitages throughout Tibet, and still claim many devoted practitioners worldwide.

Naropa is considered to be one of only 84 historical Mahasiddhas, meaning that though human, he is also recognized as a supernatural being due to his demonstrated mastery of miracle powers. He is a powerful and mysterious figure who unraveled the secrets of life, death and rebirth through unflagging devotion to his Guru, earning him not only transcendental knowledge but also the honor of carrying the teachings forward to thousands of disciples. Many of his profound insights come down to us today via stories describing interactions between Naropa and Tilopa. In order to instruct Naropa and demonstrate truths that are beyond words or descriptions, Tilopa placed Naropa in several shockingly difficult situations. One such situation is the basis for a widely recognized symbol of both Masters - the golden fish - which Naropa holds in his right hand in this sculpture.

Gestures and Attributes

Although the fish is universally recognized as a symbol of the spiritual life, in this case a specific legend also applies. It is said that Tilopa was once cooking a fish when Naropa arrived on the scene. Naropa reproached his Teacher for killing a sentient being, causing Tilopa to respond by restoring the fish to its original state. Tilopa then relaxed his grip on the fish, whereupon it rose heavenward and disappeared in a shower of rainbows. Tilopa's point was not only that things are not always what they seem, but also that the fish is a profound metaphor for sentient beings caught in the ocean of samsara. As enlightened Teachers, both Tilopa and Naropa have the ability to guide disciples out of the samsaric ocean to escape suffering and rebirth. Thus the symbolism of the fish in this statue will be especially meaningful to students of Naropa's teachings.

In his left hand, Naropa holds a skull bowl or kapala. This traditional Buddhist implement, along with the skull ornament in his headdress, symbolizes Naropa's miracle powers and spiritual attainments, and specifically indicates that he has conquered death and rebirth. The kapala also serves as a constant reminder of the truth of impermanence.