Tilopa: Born of Brahmins or Kings, Raised by the Dharma Wind 

The Mahasiddha Tilopa (988-1069 B.C), was born to an affluent family in present-day Bengal, either in the Chativavo, now Chittagong, or in Jagora. He was a Bengali poet, a saint and a Yogi and lived in the tenth century. Some scholars believe that he was born to a Brahmin family, while the others are of the opinion that he was born to one of the royal families of Bengal. Whether he was a son of a Brahmin or a royal family, Tilopa is said to have been born in the higher caste during that time period.   

From Womb to Wisdom: The Sacred Dawn of Tilopa 

It is said that for a long time, Tilopa’s parents were not blessed with a child. Disheartened and discouraged, they prayed to the Yidam Chakrasamvara as their last hope, as at that time (and even now in South Asia), it was very common for couples to pray to deities for children. Pleased, the Yidam blessed the couple with a baby boy Tilopa, who spent thirteen months in his mother’s womb. He was born at dawn on the second day of the twelfth lunar month in the year of the Rat, which corresponds to the earth element.  

There is a popular custom followed in South Asia by mostly the Hindu communities to invite palmists, astrologers, and numerologists to read and predict the future of a child after they are born. Hence, following his birth, his parents also sought predictions from palmists and astrologers, but none agreed in interpreting his future due to the extraordinary divine qualities they sensed in him.   

As he was born after a long prayer, Tilopa is said to have had a protected childhood filled with love, care, and vigilant guardianship. His parents watched over him attentively and he wasn’t allowed to play with other children of his age. It is believed that Tilopa’s parents to let him out of their house to study only after being advised by an old celestial lady.   

Whispers of the Dakini: The Hidden Path of Tilopa  

While the story of Tilopa's birth has him originating from a Brahmin family and later leaving that lineage to become a Buddhist monk, another legend suggests he was born into a royal family. In this version, he lived with his royal family while studying at a Buddhist monastery where his uncle served as the abbot.  

Though Tilopa had many teachers who guided him on his journey, his primary guru is regarded as Buddha Vajradhara. Buddha Vajradhara directly transmitted many esoteric teachings to Tilopa, helping him achieve unity with the enlightened state. Among these teachings, the practice of Mahamudra was particularly coveted by Tilopa.  

During his early years as a monk, he learned under esteemed masters and translators such as Acharya Charyawa and the Siddha Lawapa, primarily through oral instructions. The three main practices he mastered were:  

- The Practice of Bardo: the intermediate state between death and rebirth.  

- The Practice of Phowa: the transfer of consciousness.  

- The Practice of Tummo: the practice of inner heat.  

For twelve long years, Tilopa dedicated himself to these teachings with unwavering devotion. During this time, he engaged in a secret relationship with a Yogini from the same monastic order. When the monastic order discovered this, they expelled him due to what they deemed unacceptable behavior.  

A different legend describes a vision in which a Dakini guided him, leading to the transmission of the Chakrasamvara Tantra. Following her counsel, Tilopa retreated to a mountain cave for twelve years, chaining himself to meditate in isolation. Ultimately, his chains broke, symbolizing his accomplishment in meditation.  

Encounters with the Great Masters

After emerging from the cave, Tilopa set out to find Nagarjuna in eastern Bengal. Instead of meeting him, he encountered Dakini Matonga, who shared teachings from the Buddha's Guhyasamaja Mandala and initiated him into profound practices. Encouraged to study under Aryadeva, a disciple of Nagarjuna, Tilopa mastered the development stage and then focused on an advanced sub-stage involving heat generation, symbolizing realization.  

Desiring deeper understanding, Tilopa sought teachings on Chakrasamvara from Krisnacharya, the "Dark Master." He learned alongside other masters, achieving extraordinary tantric realization. Yet, feeling there was more to uncover, he traveled to Uddiyana to learn from Master Lava.  

While studying at a monastery, an old lady approached Tilopa, asking if he understood his reading. When he expressed his eagerness to learn the true meaning, she introduced him to the Mantrayana, manifesting the mandala of Sri Chakrasamvara and empowering him with visualization practices.  

Thus, Tilopa received teachings from Nagarjuna on the Guhyasamaja and Denshi Tantras, explored the Mahamaya Tantra with Master Nagpopa, studied clear light with Master Luipa, and mastered heat generation in the Hevajra Tantra from Khandro Kalpa Zangmo. This journey highlighted Tilopa's dedication to spiritual growth and enlightenment.