Biographies of Rechungpa

Rechung-pa (1084 to 1161) is a Tibetan folk-hero whose biography is one of the most well-known literary works in Tibet. Now, for the first time, an analysis is available that compares the biographies of this popular and important figure.Tracing the life story of the student of the famous teacher Milarepa using rare and little-known manuscripts, the author compares significant episodes in the life of Rechung-pa as portrayed in a succession of texts and thus demonstrates the evolution of Rechung-pa’s biography. This is the first survey of the surviving literature that includes a detailed analysis of their dates, authorship and interrelationships. It shows how Rechung-pa was increasingly portrayed as a rebellious, volatile and difficult pupil, as a lineage from a fellow-pupil prospered to become dominant in Tibet.Written in a style that makes it accessible to broad readership, Roberts' book will be of great value to anyone with an interest in the fields of Tibetan literature, history or religion.