Rechung-pa (1084-1161) is a Tibetan folk-hero whose biography is one of the most well-known literary works in Tibet. This book traces the life story of the student of the famous teacher Milarepa using rare and little-known manuscripts. The author compares significant episodes in the life of Rechung-pa as portrayed in a succession of texts and thus demonstrates the evolution of Rechung-pa's biography. This is the first survey of the surviving literature which includes a detailed analysis of their dates, authorship and interrelationships. It shows how Rechung-pa was increasingly portrayed as a rebellious, volatile and difficult pupil, as a lineage from a fellow-pupil prospered to become dominant in Tibet.

Biographies of Rechungpa : The Evolution of a Tibetan Hagiography, Peter Roberts, RoutledgeCurzon, Paperback, 2007, 290 pp, $54.95

Peter Alan Roberts received his Doctorate in Tibetan studies at Oxford University. He currently works as writer, translator and interpreter.

Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Milarepa
Chapter Three Ras-chung-pas Childhood
Chapter Four: A Sick Rechungpa Goes to India
Chapter Five Rechungpa is sent to India
Chapter Six Rechungpa obtains the Karnatantra teachings in India.
Chapter Seven. Rechungpas return and the Yak horn that was too small.
Chapter Eight The latter part of Rechungpas life

22 appendixes (analysis of the sources)