Sirmione

Percorso ad anello da Colombare passando per:
- San Pietro in Mavino (8.7 km)
- Castello Scaligero di Sirmione (11.0 km)
-Grotte di Catullo




Shepherd's Search for Mind
Thus I learned that one's child oft becomes
one's enemy.
Bearing this in mind, I renounce the
fetters of Saqtsara.
For sons and nephews I have no appetite.
121
Both husband and wife agreed with him, replying, "What you have
said is indeed true. Sometimes one's own son becomes an enemy.
Perhaps it would be better to have a daughter. What do you think?"
In answer Milarepa sang:
In youth, a daughter is like a smiling,
heavenly angel;
She is more attractive and precious than are jewels.
In middle age, she is good for nothing.
Before her father, she openly carries things away;
She pilfers secretly behind her mother's back.
If her parents do not praise her and satisfy
her wants,
They will suffer from her bitterness and temper.
In the end, she becomes red-faced and wields
a sword.
At her best, she may serve and devote herself
to others;
At her worst, she will bring mishaps and disaster.
Woman is always a trouble-maker;
Bearing this in mind, one should avoid
irretrievable misfortunes.
For women, the primary source of suffering,
I have no appetite.
The husband and wife then said, "One may not need sons and
daughters, but without relatives, life would be too miserable and help-
less. Is that not so?"
Milarepa again sang:
At first, when a man greets his relatives,
He is happy and joyful; with enthusiasm
He serves, entertains, and talks to them.
Later, they share his meat and wine.
He offers something to them once, they may
HUNDRED THOUSAND SONGS OF MILAREPA
In the end, they cause anger, craving, and
bitterness;
They are a fountain of regret and unhappiness.
With this in mind, I renounce pleasant and
sociable friends;
For kinsmen and neighbors, I have no appetite.
The couple then said, "Indeed, you may not need kinsmen. How-
ever, since we own a great deal of property, would you like to have
and take care of it?" Milarepa replied, "As the sun and moon never
stop to brighten one small place, so I devote myself to the welfare of
all sentient beings. I cannot, therefore, become a member of your
family. By merely beholding me, both of you will be benefited in this
and future lives. I will also make a wish that we may meet in the
Pure Land of Oujen."
Milarepa then burst into another song:
Wealth, at first, leads to self-enjoyment,
Making other people envious.
However much one has, one never feels it is enough,
Until one is bound by the miser's demon;
It is then hard to spend it on virtuous deeds.
Wealth provokes enemies and stirs up ghosts.
One works hard to gather riches which others
will spend;
In the end, one struggles for life and death.
To amass wealth and money invites enemies;
So I renounce the delusions of Sarpsara.
To become the victim of deceitful devils,
I have no appetite.
These songs gave the couple unshakable faith in Milarepa and they
gave away all their possessions for the sake of the Dharma. They be-
gan to practice the Jetsun's teachings and were forever released from
falling into the three lower Realms. When they died, they entered
the Path [of Bodhi] and step by step approached Buddhahood.
After this, the Jetsun returned to the Bodhi Cave of Ragma. His
former patrons gave their services and offerings to him, and he re-
mained-there in an inspired mood.
One day, two young shepherds came to him. The younger one