Mila Repa "The cotton clad one"

High in the mountains of western Tibet, around the year 1052, a boy named Mila Thöpaga was born. His name, chosen by his overjoyed merchant father, meant “a joy to hear”. His early childhood was happy and full of promise. He lived with his loving parents and younger sister in a wealthy home. But this happiness was shattered when Milarepa was just seven years old. His father fell ill. As he lay dying, his final wish was that his brother and sister-in-law would care for his wealth until Mila came of age. But his aunt and uncle did not honor that wish. They seized everything: the land, the livestock, the gold. Milarepa, his mother, and his sister were forced to live as servants. As Mila later recalled, “Our food was food for dogs, our work was work for donkeys”. When Milarepa turned fifteen, his mother tried to reclaim her rightful inheritance, but she was publicly humiliated and refused. In her crushing grief, a terrible resolve took hold. She commanded her son to leave their village and learn the black magic that would destroy their enemies. Heartbroken for his mother, Milarepa set out to master the dark arts. And the story of Mila Repa unfolds...