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Milarepa
Song
to Shindormo
Milarepa
once said to Shindormo, his patroness: "But if you have a precious
human body and have been born at a time and place in which the Buddhist
religion prevails, it is very foolish indeed not to practise the Dharma."
Milarepa
thus sang:
At the feel
of the Translator Marpa, I prostrate myself,
And sing to you, my faithful patrons.
How stupid
it is to sin with recklessness
While the pure Dharma spreads all abut you.
How foolish to spend your lifetime without meaning,
When a precious human body is so rare a gift.
How ridiculous
to cling to prison-like cities
and remain there.
How laughable to fight and quarrel
with your wives and relatives.
Who do but visit.
How senseless to cherish sweet and tender words
Which are but empty echoes in a dream.
How silly to disregard one's life by fighting foes
Who are but frail flowers.
How foolish
it is when dying
to torment oneself with thoughts of family,
Which bind one to Maya's mansion.
How stupid to stint on property and money,
Which are a debt on loan from others.
How ridiculous it is to beautify and deck the body,
Which is vessel full of filth.
How silly to strain each nerve for wealth and goods,
And neglect the nectar of the inner teachings!
In a crowd
of fools, the clear and sensible
Should practise the Dharma, as do I.
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