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Milarepa
Milarepa's
Advice for Gampopa's Leaving
Milarepa
advised Gampopa that he was now ready to leave him, and to go and benefit
sentient beings. He gave this song by way of advice:
O monk,
are you going to central Tibet?
My son, when you go to central Tibet,
At times you may yearn for food.
Whenever thoughts of food arise,
Enjoy the food of meditation.
Realize that all delicious tastes are illusion.
Experience whatever arises as the Dharmakaya.
At times
you may feel cold and yearn for warm clothes.
Whenever thoughts of clothing arise,
Clothe yourself in the blissful heat of tummo.
See soft and fine things as illusion.
Experience whatever arises as the Dharmakaya.
At
times you may yearn for your native land.
Whenever thoughts of homeland arise,
See your true home as dharmata. (note 1)
Recognize all homelands as illusion.
Experience whatever arises as Dharmakaya.
Sometimes
you may feel poor and yearn for wealth.
Whenever thoughts of gems and money arise,
Take the seven Aryan riches as your treasure. (note 2)
Recognize all wealth and possessions as illusion.
Experience whatever arises as the Dharmakaya.
Sometimes
you'll feel lonely and yearn for companionship.
Whenever thoughts of companionship arise,
Enjoy self-existing wisdom as your companion.
Recognize all companions and friends as illusion.
Experience whatever arises as the Dharmakaya.
Sometimes
you'll miss your guru.
Whenever thoughts of the guru arise,
Pray to him as inseparable from you, at your crown.
Meditate on him at the centre of your heart.
Pray to him, never forgetting him.
But recognize that even your guru is a dream-like illusion.
Yes, recognize everything as illusion.
Gampo Dar, the mountain in the east,
Is like a king sitting upon his throne.
The mountain behind is like a hanging white silk scarf.
The mountain in front is like a heap of jewels.
The peak is like a jewelled crown.
Surrounding
it are seven mountains,
Bowing like ministers before the king.
The woods and meadows are like a golden mandala.
On the shoulder you will find your disciples.
Go there, son, and benefit beings.
Go, and work for the benefit of others.
Notes:
Note
1: dharmata - Suchness. The pure nature of reality, phenomena, and
mind as they are, without elaboration.
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Note
2 :
Seven Aryan riches - Arya means 'superior being,' one who has had a direct
experience of ultimate truth. The seven riches of a Bodhisattva, one on
the path to ultimate awakening, are :
Faith,
Discipline,
Generosity,
Learning,
Moral behavoir,
Modesty, and
Knowledge.
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