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Milarepa
Six
Perfections
Two scholar-bhikkhus
came to argue about the Dharma with Milarepa but the discussion (which
was a demonstration of his mastery of meditation) turned against them.
Upon which, one of them asked for his instruction in the Six Paramitas.
In answer,
Milarepa sang:
If from parsimony
one cannot free oneself,
What is the use of discussing charity? (dana)
If one does not forswear hypocrisy and pretence,
What is the use of keeping discipline? (sila)
If one abjures not malicious revilings,
What is the use of exercising pretentious "patience"? (khanti)
If one abandons not indifference and inertness,
What is the use of swearing to be moral? (viriya)
If one conquers not the errant thoughts within,
What is the use of toiling in meditation? (samadhi)
If one does not see all forms as helpful,
What is the use of practising the Wisdoem (panna)
If one knows not the profound teaching
Of forbidding and allowing,
What is the use of learning?
If one knows
not the art of taking and rejecting,
What is the use speaking on Karma-causation?
If one's mind does not accord with the Dharma,
What is the use of joining the Order?
If the poisonous snake of Klesa (*41) is not killed,
The yearning for wisdom only leads to fallacy.
If venomous jealousy is not overcome,
One's yearning for the Bodhi-mind will be an illusion.
If one refrains not from hurting people,
One's longing for respect and honour
Is merely wishful thinking.
If one cannot conquer ego-clinging and prejudice,
One's craving for the Equality of Dharma
Only brings wrong views.
If one cannot subdue the demon, clinging-ego,
One's Klesas will be great and his Yoga bound to fail.
If one's actions conform not with the Dharma.
One will always hinder the good deeds of others.
If one has not yet absorbed one's mind in Dharma,
One's babbling and prattling will only disturb others' minds.
Therefore, do not waste your life in words and chatter
But try to gain the assurance of no-regret
And the confidence of facing death!
Milarepa
said: "Dear teachers, the proverb says: 'Judging from the complexion
of his face, one knows whether a man has eaten or not'. In the same light,
the fact that one knows not or knows the Dharma, can easily be detected
by whether or not one can conquer one's own ego-clinging desires. If he
can, that proves that one knows and practises the Buddhist Teachings.
One may be very eloquent talking about the Dharma and win all the debates,
but if one cannot subdue even a fraction of one's ego-clinging and desires,
but merely indulges oneself in words and talk, one's victories in debate
will never bring one any profit but will only increase one's egotism arid
pride.
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