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Milarepa
The
Sufferings of Old Age
Shindormo
asked again, "Please preach for us the sufferings of old age."
In response,
the Jetsun sang:
Listen,
my good patrons, listen
To the sufferings of old age.
Painful
is it to see one's body
Becoming frail and quite worn out.
Who can help but feel dismayed
At the threat of growing old?
When old age descends upon one,
One's straight body becomes bent;
When one tries to step firmly,
One staggers against one's will;
One's black hairs turn white,
One's clear eyes grow dim;
One's head shakes with dizziness,
And one's keen ears turn deaf,
One ruddy cheek grow pale,
And one's blood dries up.
One's nose--the
pillar of one's face-sinks in;
One teeth-the essence of one's bones-protrude.
Losing control of tongue, one stammers.
On the approach of death,
one's anguish and debts grow.
One gathers food and friends,
But one cannot keep them,
Trying not to suffer,
One only suffers more,
When one tells the truth to people,
Seldom is one believed;
The sons and nephews one has raised
And cherished, often become one's foes.
One gives away one's savings,
But wins no gratitude
Unless you realized the truth of Non-decay,
You will suffer misery in old age.
He who when old neglects the Dharma,
Should know that he bound by Karma.
It is good to practise
The divine Dharma while you can still breathe.
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