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Milarepa
Meditation
is Service
Five
young nuns from Mon had become Milarepa's disciples. Having dwelt with
him for some time, they decided to invite him to their village (whence
they thought of returning). They said to him: Revered One, since your
mind no longer changes, there is no need for you to practise meditation.
Therefore, for the sake of sentient beings please come to our village
and preach the Dharma for us."
Milarepa
replied, "Practising meditation in solitude is, in itself, a service
to the people. Although my mind no longer changes, it is still a good
tradition for a great yogi to remain in solitude."
He then
sang:
Throught
the practice (of meditation)
I show gratitude to my Guru.
Pray grant me your grace, ripen and liberate me.
You gifted
disciples, followers of Dharma,
Heed carefuly, with all attention,
While I sing of the profound Essential Teaching.
The Great
Lioness of the upper snow mountain
Poses proudly on the summit of the peak;
She is not afraid -
Proudly dwelling on the mountain
Is the snow lion's way.
The Queen
Vulture on Red Rock
Stretches her wings in the wide sky,
She is not afraid of falling -
Flying through the sky is the vulture's way.
In the depth
of the great ocean
Darts the Queen of Fish, glittering;
She is not afraid (of drowning) -
Swimming is the fish's way.
On the branches
of the oak trees,
Agile monkeys swing and leap,
They are not afraid of falling -
Such is the wild monkey's way
Under the
leafy canopy of the dense wood,
The striped tiger roams and swiftly runs,
Not because of fear or worry -
This shows her haughty pride,
And is the mighty tiger's way.
In the wood
on Singa Mountain,
I, Milarepa, meditate on voidness,
Not because I fear to lose my understanding -
Constant meditation is the yogi's way.
- - - -
Those great
yogis who have mastered the Practice
Never desire anything in this world.
It is not because they want fame
That they remain in solitude;
It is the natural sign springing from their hearts -
The true feeling of non-attachment and renunciation.
Yogis who
practise the teaching of the Path Profound,
Dwell always in caves and on mountains,
Not that they are cynical or pompous,
But to concentrate on meditation is their self-willing.
I, the cotton-clad,
have sung many songs,
Not to amuse myself by singing sophistries,
But for your sake, faithful followers who assemble here,
From my heart I have spoken words helpful and profound.
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