Mezzomerico

Colline novaresi, percorso permanente arancione (14km) della Forest Race Trail di Mezzomerico, indicato ad ogni bivio con frecce arancioni. Giro tra vigneti, boschi e prati





The attractions and inducements
In the world outside are great;
The drowsiness and distractions
Within are powerful;
Passions and attachments ever follow you like shadows.
E'en though you may absorb yourself in transcendental
Wisdom,
It is still hard for you to conquer
The illusions of the demons and ghosts within-
For extremely quick and clever are these Nhamdog.9
On the steep path of fear and hope
They lie in ambush
With their ropes and snares,
Waiting for a chance to trap you.
The sentinel of vigilance
Should therefore be posted
To guard your inner citadel!
This melodious song with four
Parables and five meanings,
Is precious as a pearl.
A mirror of illumination,
It lights up the mind.
Please think of it with all attention,
Oh well-gifted Yogi!
307
Milarepa then replied, "As a rule, all trouble-making demons and De-
vas in the outer world are creations of the delusory thoughts of the
clinging [mind], which grasps forms and deems them to be real. What
you have said may all be very true. Nevertheless, we yogis do not con-
sider obstacles as entirely evil and pernicious. Whatever forms and vi-
sions the demons may conjure we accept as helpful conditions and gra-
··cious gifts. Like the crack of a horsewhip, these demonic obstacles are
very good stimulants for indolent beginners. An unexpected shock will
undoubtedly sharpen one's awareness. Also, these demunic obstacles are
the very causes that will aid one's body and mind in devotion, and quick-
en the arising of Samadhi; to those advanced yogis who have already
reached stability on the P:ath, these obstacles become the nourishment
of Wisdom. Such hindrances will also deepen the clarity of the Light-
of-Awareness and improve one's inner Samadhis. Through them supreme
Bodhi-Mind will arise, thus enaLling the yogi to better his devotion in
a rapidly progressive way. Today I have witnessed the fact that all
THE HUNDRED THOUSAND SONGS OF MILAREPA
merit of seeing these Guardians as the Transformation Body of Bud-
dha, I shall achieve many more accomplishments. I have thus trans~
muted the obstacles into aids for spiritual growth and turned the evils
into virtues. Now, all the Nhamdog- those distracting, illusory, and
confusing thoughts- appear as the Dharmakaya itself. Thus you have
actually given me all the assistance [necessary] for devotion on the
Path. Insofar as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither Buddhas nor demons. He who frees himself from
fear and hope, evil and virtue, will realize the unsubstantial and
groundless nature [of thoughts ].10 Sa111sara will then appear to be the
Mahamudrii itself; all turbulent, distracting thoughts will vanish into
the Dharmadatu- the so-called non-gathering and non-separating
Dharmakaya."
The Jetsun again expounded these points as follows:
Upon this earth, the land of the Victorious Ones,
Once lived a Saint, known as the second Buddha;
His fame was heard in all the Ten Directions.
To Him, the Jewel a'top the eternal Banner [of Dharma]
I pay homage and give offerings.
Is He not the holy Master, the great Medripa?
Upon the Lotus-seat of Medripa
[My Father Guru] places his reliance;
He drinks heavenly nectar
With the supreme view of Mahamudrii;
He has realized the innate Truth in utter freedom.
He is the supreme one, the Jetsun Marpa.
Undefiled by faults or vices,
He is the Transformation Body of Buddha.
He says: "Before Enlightenment,
All things in the outer world
Are deceptive and confusing;
Clinging to outer forms,
One is ever thus entangled.
After Enlightenment, one sees all things and objects
As but magic shadow·plays,
And all objective things
Become his helpful friends.
In the uncreated Dharmakiiya all are pure;
Nothing has even manifested
In the Realm of Ultimate Truth.