Monte Rena

Val Seriana, percorso ad anello da Perola (Albino) passando per:
- Madonna del Narciso
- Croce di San Luigi
- Monte Rena (4.0 km)
- Ganda
- Col di Bates




THE MEETING
AT SILVER SPRING
Obeisance to all Gurus
ONE summer, the great Yogi, Jetsun Milarepa, was meditating at
North Shri Ri. When autumn came and the harvest was ready, he
went out for alms, but fell asleep in Upper Gog Tang. He dreamed
that he saw a green girl with golden hair and .shining eyebrows, lead-
ing a youth about twenty years old. She said, "Milarepa, you will
have eight petals from [the lotus of] your heart. This is one of them.
Please bless him and bring him up!" She then disappeared.
Upon awakening from his sleep, Milarepa thought over the mean-
ing of his dream. He decided that the girl must have been a Oakini
and that the "eight petals" must imply that he 'fOuld have eight su-
perlative, destined, heart-like disciples. "Today, I shall probably meet
a Karma-exhausted disciple, and I will try my best to help him."
With this in mind, he climbed the road leading to Bong. When he
reached a brook which flowed like silver, he paused for another nap.
After a while, a young man riding on a black horse approached and
asked, "Why, dear Yogi, do you sleep here?'' Milarepa parried the
question by another one: "My dear patron, where are you going?"
"I am going to cross this brook to Din Ri."
Milarepa then explained, "Because of my age, I find it very difficult
to wade through water. Could you give me a ride?"
The young man replied, "As I am going to play with some youths
over there, I am in a very great hurry and will not be able to take
you with me. Besides, it would strain my horse too much, and he
might be hurt."
After saying this he went on ahead, alone, without even looking
back.
Thereupon Milarepa, with sincere concentration, entered the
Samadhi of Guru-Union.1 Holding his breath he walked softly on
the water, gliding smoothly across the stream to the other bank. He
looked back and saw that the young man and the horse were floun-
dering in midstream, making a big splash. In the meantime, the boy
had noticed Milarepa walk past him on the water without sinking.
Although he had seen it with his own eyes, he still could not accept
it. He muttered to himself, "What's the matter with me? Am I having
an hallucination? [If not,] this man must have been born to float!"
When he reached the other bank, he approached Milarepa and
observed his feet carefully, discovering that not even his soles were
wet; whereupon, a deep faith toward the Jetsun arose within the
youth. He cried out, "I did not realize that you were an accomplished
Lama. I regret very much that I did not allow you to mount my
horse. Please forgive me and accept my apology." Saying this, he
bowed to Milarepa many times. With great sincerity and faith, he
asked, "Lama, from whence do you come? To what Order do you be-
long? Who is your Guru? Where is your temple? What meditation
do you practice? Where did you come from this morning? Where will
you stay tonight?" In answer, the Jetsun sang:
Ah! My good young friend!
Listen to me, young playboy!
Do you know who I am? I am the Yogi Milarepa;
Gung Tang is whence I came.
My feet have trod all over Weu and Tsang,2
While learning the orders and decrees.
From the gracious Guru Ngomi to Lama Rondonlaga,
I have studied with ten Gurus and learned the
Tantras five,
The views, and the philosophies of Dharma.
From my teacher, Lhaje Nu Chon, I learned
The fierce exorcism of the Black and Red Planets.
Though he was very expert,
He could never clear my doubts.
Then I heard people say there was a wondrous teacher
Dwelling in the South, in the river-circled Valley.
He was blessed by the Lords Naropa and Medripa,
And had experienced the mother-like Essence of Mind.