Crevola d'Ossola

Giro delle frazioni di Crevoladossola, escursione a bassa quota molto panoramica in val d'Ossola, si svolge prevalentemente su mulattiere




MILAREPA'S MEETING WITH
KAR CHON REPA
Obeisance to all Gurus
As predicted in Marpa's prophecy, the Jetsun Milarepa set out for
Di Se Snow Mountain with several of his disciples. When they
reached Lowo Lake, one of the disciples pretended to be ill and would
go no farther, so the journey was interrupted. Milarepa then stayed
at the Upper Lowo that summer and preached the Dharma there.
When the autumn came and Milarepa was about to go to Di Se Snow
Mountain, the disciples and patrons gave him a farewell party. They all
circled round and made offerings and obeisance to him. The patrons
then besought him for instructions because they all realized that no one
could tell when they would meet again. In response, Milarepa sang
"The Right Yoga Practice":
I, Milarepa, the man, the Yogi of Tibet,
Have little learning, yet are my instructions great.
I take little sleep, though persevering at my
meditation,
Humble am I in heart, but great is my persistence.
Knowing one thing, I know all;
Knowing all, I know that they are one.
I am an expert in Absolute Truth.
My bed is small, yet I am free to stretch my legs.
My clothes are thin, yet is my body warm.
I eat but little, yet am satisfied.
I am the one whom all yogis venerate,
To whom all faithful come, a guide
On the dread path of life and death.
Unattached to any home,
I have no fixed dwelling;
Disregarding all, I do my will.
I crave for no possessions. Between clean
And unclean food I do not discriminate.
I suffer little pain from passion's sting.
With little self-import1nce, I have few desires;
I crave not for objective and subjective things;
Thus can I untie NirviiQa's knots.
I console old people when they grieve;
Loving fun, to the young I am a friend.
A yogi, I rove about all regions, wishing
Devas and human beings to live in happiness.
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After hearing this song, they said to Milarepa, "To be sure, Revered
One, this is your life and practice; but please tell us what we should
do. Be kind enough to give us, your disciples, some instructions and
advice." The Jetsun then emphasized the transiency of all beings, ad-
monishing them to practice Dharma earnestly. And he sang "The Song
of Transience with Eight Similes":
Faithful disciples here assembled [ask yourselves]:
"Have I practiced Dharma with great earnestness?
Has the deepest faith arisen in my heart?"
He who wants to practice Dharma and gain non-regressive
faith,
Should listen to this explanation of the Mundane
Truths
And ponder well their meaning.
Listen to these parables and metaphors:
A painting in gold,
Flowers of turquoise blue,
Floods in the vale above,
Rice in the vale below,
Abundance of silk,
A jewel of value,
The crescent moon,