The Great Indian Adept: Maitripa

Maitripa (1007-1078) was an Indian Buddhist teacher who studied at both Nalanda and
Vikramashila Monasteries. At Nalanda he studied with the famous teacher Naropa, however at
Vikramashila during the tenure of Atisha, he was expelled because of his behaviour. After leaving
the monastic life he lived and practiced as an ascetic yogi. Meeting with the great
mahasiddha Shavaripa, Maitripa took him as a principal teacher and studied the special techniques
of Mahamudra. He was looked upon as a greatly accomplished one of the Buddhist Tantric system
(mahasiddha) and is most famous for teaching the Mahamudra philosophy and practice to the
Tibetan translator Marpa Chokyi Lodro - the equally famous teacher of Milarepa.
The central figure of the composition is Maitripa, seated slightly to the right of the central axis of
the composition. In the right hand held upraised he beats a double sided drum. In the left hand he
rings a bell decorated with a half-vajra handle. Atop the head is a crown of gold and jewels;
earrings, a necklace of bone and bracelets and anklets of bone. Supporting the left knee is a red
meditation belt. Covering the shoulders a wrapped around the back is a complete human skin,
grey and lifeless, pink on the inside. In a relaxed posture, accompanied by two female attendant
figures, he sits atop a cushioned seat and the skin of a krishnasara deer, inside a thatched grass
retreat hut, hardly accommodating, and not spacious. An inscription in Tibetan language located
below reads 'Lord Maitripa, holder of the essence of the teachings.' (nying po bstan 'dzin mnga'
bdag me tri pa).
At the top left of the composition, dancing upon a cloud, is the Mahasiddha Shavaripa holding an
arrow in the right hand and a vase in the left. Hanging at the elbow of the left arm is his
characteristic bow and the quiver of arrows hanging from the elbow of his right arm. Around the
waist is a skirt made of peacock feathers. Accompanied by two attendant figures. On the left a
man carries the limp bodies of a goat or deer over the right shoulder and a bird on the left. On the
right side a is a dancing figure playing a flute. An inscription below the clouds, written in Tibetan
language reads 'Glorious Shawari' (dpal sha wa ri).
Seated to the lower left of the central figure Maitripa is Marpa Chokyi Lodro, well wrapped in
layered Tibetan clothing and holding a folio text in hand - about to turn the cover page. Placed in
front is a table arranged with various stylized food offerings (torma) and two skullcup bowls.
Slightly lower in foreground is a textile spread on the ground with an assortment of meats and
alcohol arranged for aTantric Feast (ganachakra) ritual. Three heavenly goddesses arriving on
seats of swirling cloud hold skullcup bowls, ready to partake of the ritual feast. Again, at the
middle left, an attendant figure makes offerings to the worldly spirits and deities in preparation for
the Tantric Feast.