Milarepa was born to wealthy parents, Sherab Gyaltsen and Nyangtsa Kargyen, in the western Tibetan region of Kya Ngatsa.  His father passed away when he was seven years old.  As stated in the will, the aunt and uncle were to inherit all the property and riches until Milarepa came of age to marry.  Mila, his sister and his mother were soon reduced to servants and laborers by their greedy relatives.

At fifteen years old, his mother requested that the land be returned because Milarepa was to marry.  However, this was refused.  So, his mother sent Milarepa to learn black magic and take revenge on the family.

After the completion of Milarepa’s studies as a sorcerer, he caused the house of his evil relatives to collapse during a celebration, killing over thirty-five of them. 

Although Mila’s mother was joyous, Mila grew disappointed and depressed.  He commented how the result of black magic will only be a negative rebirth.  Furthermore, Mila’s own teacher of black magic said that at the time of death only the dharma, not magic, will help.  The teacher of black magic soon realized that such evil practices were not proper. Mila was overjoyed that his teacher thought the same, and his teacher told him to go to the Dzogchen teacher Rongton Lhaga.

The Dzogchen Lama was unable to bring Mila to realization because Milarepa possessed a lot of negative karma and obstacles. So, he suggested that Mila go to Marpa Lotsawa. Great devotion arose in Milarepa, and he went to study under Marpa. 

Marpa made Milarepa undergo numerous trials and hardships before teaching him the dharma. First, Mila was ordered to construct all sorts of oddly shaped houses, each then he had to tear down after completion.  His hands often would be sore and his body worn, and after doing this many times Marpa only gave him the teachings of the common dharma.

Then, Mila was ordered to build a nine story tower.  After its completion, Marpa still refused to give him the Vajrayana teachings.  Mila became more and more depressed, and then began to think that only by dying would he be free of suffering.

Marpa, only after purifying Milarepa of his obscurations and unvirtue, would begin to bestow the Vajrayana transmissions to him. Now was the proper time.

A feast and the empowerment of Chakrasamvara was held for Milarepa by Marpa Lotsawa. Milarepa began receiving transmissions and practice. 

Marpa, in one ceremony, bestowed the Hevajra transmission to Milarepa by opening his chest and there resided the entire mandala of the deity.

For most of his life, Mila meditated alone in the mountains and caves through the region of Tibet and Nepal, often unyielding to threats by demons and without food or water.  For a long time, he merely sustained himself upon pine-like nettles and his body became green in color. 

Milarepa became renown for his spontaneous poetic songs of realization which could tame the mind of even the most non-virtuous people.  In Tibet, many of these dohas are recorded and account for the numberless acts Milarepa performed in turning the minds of others towards the dharma.

Milarepa often had to prove himself to many individuals, and had great powers of clairvoyance. He reached the summit of Mount Kailash, the abode of Chakrasamvara, in an instant, stunning nonbelievers, Bonpos and Buddhist alike. Other miracles of Milarepa included the ability to hold an entire region in his palm, and the ability to fit inside a yak horn.

The Jetsun's main disciples were Rechungpa and Gampopa. Milarepa's teachings cut through all bias and expectation; he showed the world as it was and destroyed all dualistic views. For example, Rechungpa's stubborn attitude was gradually overcome by Milarepa.

Rechungpa would always desire to wander off and even travel to holy sites throughout India and Tibet, but Milarepa reminded him that with a realized guru the need for such places aren't necessary.

Likewise, when a scholar was defeated by Milarepa's wisdom, he began to attack Jetsun Mila. Rechungpa became outraged with anger, later scolded by Milarepa.

Also, Milarepa cut through Gampopa's attachment by offering him beer upon their first meeting. Gampopa, a monk, at first refused it as it would transgress his vows of purity.

Milarepa was a yogi who practiced in solitude. His life of pure devotion to his teacher and his transformation from a sorcerer to a living buddha remains as an unrivaled example for the world.

Upon his passing, Mila left the earth with an assembly of dakinis, for the pure realms, in the sky for all to see.