Tilopa was born in eastern India in 988. When Tilopa was a young boy, he had the special qualities of being extremely compassionate, kind, and loving. He was a cowherd and played in the forest without a care. At that time, the great Nagarjuna was out walking in the vicinity.11 He had the special insight that in this region there was someone who was an ideal vessel to receive the Vajrayana teachings. Pondering this, he proceeded to the place between the town and the river where Tilopa was taking care of water buffaloes. Nagarjuna wanted to cross the river and pretended not to know where to ford it. He went to a point in the river with rapids and high waves and pretended that he was going to walk into the raging river. Tilopa came running up to him and said, “I will help you by carrying you across. There is no need for you to be afraid or to trouble yourself.” Nagarjuna instantly saw that this child had great potential for developing intense devotion and compassion and that he had the capacity for extreme courage and diligence. He allowed the boy to carry him into the river.