The magic life of Milarepa, Tibet's great yogi

by Eva Van Dam

Paper Book, 1991

Status

Available

Call number

741.5/973

Genres

Graphic Novels

Comics

Graphic Novels and Comics

Nonfiction

Collection

Don

Publication

Shambhala Publications: Boston, 1991.

Description

From avenging evil sorcerer to devoted Buddhist ascetic to enlighted being--the story of Milarepa's spectacular life is a powerful testimony to self-knowledge, transformation, and liberation. This artistically-rendered graphic novel captures all the grit and drama of Milarepa's story. It is the year 1050, and Milarepa is seeking vengeance on unscrupulous relatives for mistreating his mother and sister. Trained in sorcery, he commands a rain of scorpions, snakes, and lizards to attack the villains. But when his teacher rebukes him for his evil deeds, Milarepa renounces evil magic to seek mystic truth. He retreats to a cave where, after years of intense meditation, he acquires the the power to shape-shift. But most importantly he achieves the greatest victory of all--mastery over himself.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member PardaMustang

Milarepa by Eve Van Dam follows the titular character through his life, from his father's death, to learning black magick in order to gain revenge, and his enlightenment and transformation into a spiritual warrior.

It was the history and era that first drew me to this book. I liked the story well

enough. I just felt so bad for him, and his family. Milarepa's relatives defied his father's dying wishes and stole everything from them after his father passed. What asshats… And his mother threatened to kill herself in front of her 15 yr old son's presence if Milarepa didn't succeed in learning black magick. She wanted him to avenge the years they lived in servitude to the relatives. Milarepa did as he was bade, but when his teacher scolds him for misusing his teachings, he retreats to live the life of a hermit. Eight long years of meditation gave Milarepa mastery over himself, and the ability to shapeshift. I just… that's kinda seriously messed up. Talk about laying a guilt trip. The art style seemed older, more appropriate to an earlier decade. It wasn't bad per se, it just felt off. Recommended!

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Shambhala Publication for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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