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Milarepa
The
Frightened Deer
When
Milarepa was sitting in meditation, a frightened deer dashed by, followed
by a ravening bound. By the power of his loving-kindness and compassion
(Metta-Karuna), Milarepa made them lie down one on either side of him
and then preached to them. Then came the fierce and proud huntsman, Chirawa
Gwunbo Dorje, who was enraged by the sight of the Jetsun and shot an arrow
at him, but missed. Milarepa sang to him and his heart began to turn to
the Dharma. Then the hunter saw that Milarepa was living an austere life
and great faith arose in him. He wished then to practise Dharma after
taling with his family but the Jetsun warned him that his present meritorious
thought might change and he sang:
Hearken,
hearken, huntsman!
Though the thunder crashes,
It is but empty sound;
Though the rainbow is richly-coloured,
It will soon fade away.
The pleasures of this world are like dream-visions;
Though one enjoy them, they are the source of sin.
Though all we see may seem to be eternal,
It will soon fall to pieces and will disappear.
Yesterday
perhaps one had enough or more,
All today is gone and nothing's left;
Last year one was alive, this year one dies.
Good food turns into poison,
And the beloved companion turns into a foe.
Harsh words
and complaints requite
Good-will and gratitude.
Yours sins hurt no one but yourself.
Among one hundred heads, you value most your own.
In all ten fingers, if one is cut, you feel the pain.
Among all things you value, yourself is valued most.
The time has come for you to help yourself.
Life flees
fast. Soon death
Will knock upon your door.
It is foolish, therefore, one's devotion to postpone.
What else can loving kinsmen do
But throw one into Samara?
To strive for happiness hereafter
Is more important than to seek it now.
The time has come for you to rely upon a Guru,
The time has come to practise Dharma.
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