Marpa Lotsawa

[3] Born as Marpa Chökyi Lodrö, in Lhodrak Chukhyer in the southern part of Tibet, to an affluent family, he began studying at a young age but was wild and untamed compared to other children.

[4] Marpa returned home to Lhodrak and converted his entire inheritance into gold to fund his travel expenses and to make offerings to teachers.

Marpa spent twelve years studying with Naropa and other great Indian gurus, most prominently Maitripada.

Marpa was to travel to India twice more and Nepal three more times and studied with Naropa and other great teachers including Maitripa.

[7] Marpa's lineage emphasized the paired systems of the "Six Teachings of Naropa" and the "Great Seal" (Mahamudra).