The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa: A New Translation

“Through intensive practice under the harshest conditions based on pure and stable devotion to his guru, Milarepa gained mastery over his extremely subtle wind and mind and attained enlightenment in one lifetime. Then, rather than writing texts, he traveled about the country expressing his spiritual experiences in the form of songs. I am delighted that Christopher Stagg is offering a new translation of these important teachings and recommend it to seekers at all levels.” –Lama Zopa Rinpoche “I’m very pleased that this new translation of Milarepa’s Hundred Thousand Songs has been undertaken. Milarepa was a great yogi, and his words provide profound inspiration to all followers of the dharma. His songs are not only a preeminent symbol of Tibetan Buddhist culture, but they are a priceless repository of enlightened thought. I pray that this work may help lead countless beings to liberation.” –His Holiness the Forty-First Sakya Trizin

“There is no equal to Milarepa in the Land of Snows, or perhaps even in the Noble Land of India. His Hundred Thousand Songs is the light of every practitioner’s heart, the inspiration for every meditator, and the example for every renunciant. This new edition will be a peerless companion for all future yogins and yoginis, inspiring generations of practitioners as it has for almost a thousand years.” –Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

“Milarepa and his songs have been perhaps the greatest source of spiritual inspiration for all Tibetan Buddhists. For a long time, there has been a need for a new and accessible translation of these extraordinary songs. Christopher Stagg has worked with contemporary masters of the lineage and his translation is accurate, lucid, and inspiring.” –Ringu Tulku

Tsangny n Heruka (1452-1507), or the “Madman of Tsang,” so named for his eccentric behavior in yogic practice, compiled and arranged this most well-known collection of Milarepa’s songs four centuries after the death of the great yogin. Tsangny n spent much of his life wandering in the same Himalayan regions as Milarepa and was considered by some to be his emanation.

Christopher Stagg serves as a translator and interpreter for the Nitartha Institute and Nalandabodhi, both under the direction of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. Also trained as a public school music teacher, he calls Seattle, Washington home.