Spiritual Adventures of the Venerated Master Rechungpa (vegetarian), Part 2 of 2

Suddenly, Rechungpa felt what it was to be without His Master and was filled with unparalleled remorse. Ultimately resolving to end His own life, He threw Himself off a cliff. At that moment, His complete devotion to His Master saved Him.

Having achieved humility, Rechungpa progressed faster, learning to have complete faith in His Master. Over time, Rechungpa’s reputation grew, and people gave Him more lavish food offerings than Milarepa. Embarrassed, Rechungpa asked Milarepa to let Him relocate to central Tibet. Initially, Milarepa resisted Rechungpa’s request, emphasizing the importance of staying by His Guru’s side until spiritual realization was complete. However, He later reluctantly agreed and imparted this heartfelt message: “… if a child stays by his mother’s side, he grows up well. If an egg is warmed by the hen’s heat, it will easily come to hatch. If meditators stay with their gurus, then they will not deviate. Although You are leaving without heeding what I say, I will never forsake my love for You, and You should continually supplicate me.” Tearfully, Rechungpa replied, “… until attaining Buddhahood myself, I place my hopes in no one but the Jetsun. After this life, in the bardo, too, please be my refuge and guide.” With that, Rechungpa sincerely touched the crown of His head to His Master’s feet and departed.

Our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) tells the story of how Rechungpa became very famous and lectured in Lhasa.

Milarepa foretold that there were many future disciples waiting for Rechungpa. After manifesting numerous transformation bodies upon Rechungpa’s path, the Master became convinced that His “Heart-Son” would never leave the righteous path. Even so, Milarepa later had to manifest Himself as a beggar to receive alms from His disciple and therefore break Rechungpa’s karmic attachment. Fully enlightened, Rechungpa tearfully departed. First bowing down to touch the feet of His beloved Master with His head, Rechungpa wished with all His heart that one day, He might see the Great Jetsun Milarepa again.

Rechungpa always emphasized practice of the true Dharma: “The Dharma has to be practiced if it is going to be the true path. I saw a great number of meditators who did not have good meditation teachers. When I saw that and knew that I had such great meditation teachers as Milarepa, I felt very happy and very fortunate. It is important to develop devotion.”

As Rechungpa’s own time on Earth was coming to a close, various disciples asked where, or what realm He was entering. Rechungpa said He had realized the Dharmakāya, the Absolute or Truth Body; furthermore, He told them not to bother with a cremation, because they would find no body when He left. He advised His disciples that as He was leaving, there would be numerous miraculous signs, such as celestial music and the smell of perfume, yet whatever happened, they should all do their best not to be distracted by this and to remain in meditation.