Tibetan Cultural Center hosts song lessons: By IDS reports, October 11, 2005
Professor teaches lessons on Buddhist chants
Bloomington, Indiana (USA) -- Bloomington is home to many cultural centers. One such center is the Tibetan Cultural Center, located at 3655 S. Snoddy Rd., which is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the community about Tibetan culture.
The center plays host to many programs, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, cooking classes and lectures. A program titled "Songs of Marpa" has been running since Sept. 27 and will continue until Dec. 6.
Who is Marpa? And what exactly are his songs? Marpa Lotsawa was born into a very wealthy family in 1012. After studying for three years at Mangkhar, Marpa traveled to India to study with famous Buddhist teachers. After this trip, Marpa traveled back home and converted his inheritance to gold in order to pay for his travels and teachers. Marpa traveled to India and Nepal and studied with Naropa during his final
teachings in India.
During this time, Marpa was declared a successor of Naropa. Marpa returned to Tibet and translated Buddhist scriptures, teaching many students in Tibet over the years.
Milarepa became his disciple and inherited Marpa's full lineage. Marpa's greatest contribution was made through his transmission of Buddhist teachings from Indian to Tibet. His songs have been defined as "segments of prose from his teachings."
"Songs of Marpa" is held every other week at the Tibetan Cultural Center and is being taught by professor Gedun Rabsal. The cost is $10 per class session or $50 for all six classes if pre-paid. The classes are held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. For more information, visit www.tibetancc.com/new.
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