Ashtapad Maha Tirth 02

SR No.: 009860
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Rajnikant Shah, Others
Publisher: USA Jain Center America NY
Publication Year: 2012
Total Pages: 532
Language: Hindi, Sanskrit, Gujarati
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 26 MB

Page 395

Milarepa Story
Milarepa Versus Naro Bonchung All around the Mount Kailash Kora there are signs of the contest for supremacy that was fought between Milarepa, the Buddhist poet-saint, and Naro Bonchung, the Bon master. According to the Buddhists, in all encounters it was Milarepa who came out the victor, but despite this he still agreed to a final, winner-takes-all duel, a straightforward race to the top of the mountain. Mounting his magic drum, Naro Bonchung immediately set out to fly to the summit but despite his acolytes' urging, Milarepa didn't bother getting out of bed. Finally, as the first rays of dawn revealed that Naro Bonchung was at the point of reaching the top, Milarepa rose from his bed and was carried by a ray of light directly to the top. Shocked by this defeat, his opponent tumbled off his drum, which skittered down the south face of the mountain, gouging the long slash marking Mount Kailash to this day. Hindu pilgrims call the slash the 'stairway to heaven'. Gracious in victory, Milarepa decreed that Bon followers could continue to make their customary anticlockwise circults of Mount Kailash, and awarded nearby Bonari as their own holy mountain. Sights In the old part of town is the Mani Tsundu Temple. It's often closed and there's not much to see, but it's a pleasant five-minute walk to the temple and there are usually a few pilgrims around. To get there, take the road that branches off from the southern end of town. The closest cultural sight to Nyalam is Milarepa's Cave (admission Y10) and Nyalam Pelgye ling, the small temple built over it. Milarepa was a famous Buddhist mystic and composer of songs who lived in the late 11th and early 12th centuries. During his long meditation in this cave he renounced all luxuries and survived on a diet of local weeds (famously turning green as a result). Milarepa is credited with many magical feats in Tibetan literature; one was raising the ceiling of his cave with his bare hands. You can still see his handprints on the roof. According to folklore, Milarepa's success thereby established Buddhism as the primary religion in Tibet. In return for Mt. Kailash, Milarepa gave to the Bon Pos a nearby hill, the so called Bonari. About one hundred years later, Gyalwa Gotsanga, opened the kora around Mt. Kailash for the public. On his kora he was led by heavenly beings including Dakinis and Tarasthat appeared in the form of various animals such as wolves and a female yak (“Dri'). They showed him the way around Mt. Kailash and let him the way to Drira Phuk for meditation.
NOTE : Shri Gautam Swami climbed on Ashtapad 2600 years ago, as per Jain Scripture. While Milarepa climbed Kailash with the help of light - sunrays after 1400 years. Both the stories are very similar. Gautam Swami climbed looked for Moksha, while Milarepa climbed to defeat his opponent and then awarded Bon followers anti clockwise circuits of Mount Kailash and Bonari as their holy mountain.
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Milarepa Story