Milarepa stands as a luminous figure within the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, embodying both its spiritual ideals and its living transmission. As the foremost disciple of Marpa the Translator, Milarepa received the complete Dharma transmission brought from the Indian mahasiddhas, particularly Naropa. This direct and unbroken lineage, flowing from Marpa to Milarepa, forms the very heart of Kagyu identity, emphasizing the importance of personal realization through the close relationship between teacher and student.

The Kagyu tradition is deeply marked by Milarepa’s life and teachings. His unwavering dedication to meditation, often in solitary mountain retreats, set the tone for the school’s focus on experiential practice over mere scholasticism. The songs and poems attributed to Milarepa, celebrated as dohas or songs of realization, are not only revered for their poetic beauty but also serve as practical guides to the path of awakening. These teachings, emphasizing direct experience and the possibility of attaining enlightenment within a single lifetime, are woven into the fabric of Kagyu practice and philosophy.

Milarepa’s spiritual legacy is further reflected in his disciples, most notably Gampopa, who systematized the Kagyu doctrine and established it as an organized institution. Through this lineage, the various sub-schools of Kagyu trace their spiritual ancestry back to Milarepa and, through him, to Marpa and the Indian masters. The very name “Kagyu,” meaning “oral transmission,” underscores the centrality of the master-disciple relationship exemplified by Milarepa’s life.

The narrative of Milarepa’s transformation—from one burdened by negative karma to a fully awakened being—serves as a profound inspiration for practitioners. His example illustrates the power of perseverance, devotion to the guru, and the transformative potential of the Buddhist path. In this way, Milarepa’s life, teachings, and songs remain foundational, shaping the ethos and spiritual methodology of the Kagyu tradition across generations.