12/08/2026
Naropa (c. 1016–1100) was one of the great Indian Buddhist Mahasiddhas and an important master in the Kagyu tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism.
* Birth: Bengal, India, traditionally associated with a royal family.
* Early life: He became a highly accomplished scholar at Nalanda University, one of ancient India’s greatest Buddhist centers.
* Teacher: His most important spiritual teacher was Tilopa, who guided him through profound Vajrayana practices.
* Six Yogas of Naropa: He is traditionally associated with the transmission of the Six Dharmas/Yogas of Naropa, including practices such as Tummo (inner heat), Dream Yoga, Clear Light, and Bardo teachings.
* Disciple: His most famous disciple was Marpa Lotsawa, the Tibetan translator who brought many of these teachings to Tibet.
* Legacy: Through Marpa and later Milarepa, Naropa’s teachings became a major foundation of the Kagyu lineage.
Naropa and Tilopa
Naropa’s spiritual journey is closely connected with Tilopa. According to tradition, Naropa initially relied heavily on his intellectual knowledge, but Tilopa subjected him to difficult experiences that transformed his understanding from scholarly knowledge into direct realization.
Naropa Cave in Nepal
One important pilgrimage site associated with Naropa is Naropa Cave near Pharping, Nepal, traditionally connected with his meditation and spiritual practice. It is visited together with other sacred sites in the Kathmandu Valley by Buddhist pilgrims.
In simple words: Naropa was a great Indian Buddhist master who transformed profound Vajrayana teachings into a lineage that eventually reached Tibet through Tilopa → Naropa → Marpa → Milarepa.
