The Life of Milarepa is one of the most beloved stories of the Tibetan people and a great literary example of the contemplative life.This biography, a dramatic tale from a culture now in crisis, can be read on several levels.A personal and moving introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, it is also a detailed guide to the search for liberation.It presents a quest for purification and buddhahood in a single lifetime, tracing the path of a great sinner who became a great saint.It is also a powerfully evocative narrative, full of magic, miracles, suspense, and humor, while reflecting the religious and social life of medieval Tibet.