Marpa

A celebrated Tibetan yogin, Marpa initially trained as a translator. He visited India on three occasions and Nepal on four occasions where he attended upon such spiritual masters as Nāropa and Maitripa, who introduced him to doctrines and practices of tantric Buddhism, especially those connected with Hevajra, Guhyasamāja, and mahāmudrā. An important account of his encounters with Nāropa survives. Following his return to Tibet, he resided in the Lhodrak area and taught many students, including the great Milarepa. He introduced the set of six special tantric practices known as the Six Yogas of Nāropa and established the teaching tradition of the Kagyü school.