San Sebastiano Curone

Escursione panoramica in val Curone, unico tratto difficoltoso il sentiero dopo Frascata pochissimo battuto è quasi invaso dalla vegetazione e risulta difficile procedere





THE HUNDRED THOUSAND SONGS OF MILAREPA
He should strive hard to emulate a Bodhisattva!
Oh I)akinis of the Mahayana Path,
If you can accept this beneficial preaching
Which I have just imparted to you,
Brothers and sisters, then, we may tread the Path
together,
Entering at last the Pure Land of Happiness.
There we will consummate all merits and good works,
There without doubt we will meet once more.
Milarepa continued: "We are living in a time of defilement. Corrup-
tion and vice abound everywhere, people are voracious and harbor strong
desires and passions [KI~as]. This is a very difficult time for one to
subdue all his desires at once; therefore one should examine himself,
and see what precepts he may take and live up to."
The I)akinis then said to Milarepa, "Yes, indeed, Lord. It is only be-
cause you are so compassionate that you have preached for us the truth
of Karma and called our attention to morality and virtue. This is all very
wonderful, but we have heard this kind of preaching before. In the great
cemetery of Sinhala, the Wisdom I)akini, the outstanding Earth-Pro-
tecting Goddesses, such as the Lion-faced one, Damala Richroma, the
Dumo Ngosungma, and the accomplished yogini, Bhina Betsar, have
already preached to us the merits and glory of the Bodhi-Mind. We
have heard many sermons on morality and discipline. Therefore, please
do not merely preach to us these [fundamental and preliminary]
teachings. As to our demonstration of malignant and wrathful forms
before you a while ago, 10 it was to make a crucial t~t of your Re-
alization. Since we are protectors of Dharma, we would not do any-
thing truly harmful to people. But now we pray you to give us the
[Precept] for raising the Bodhi-Mind."
The Jetsun replied, "Why not, since you ask with such sincerity and
earnestness? Of course I will give the Precept to you. Now, prepare your
offerings and MaiJgala for the ceremony. I would like to tell you this,
however: I am not a person who cares for worldly goods and pleasures,
bu~ each of you may now offer your special worldly accomplishments11
to me, and also tell me your true names."
Whereupon, with great enthusiasm and respect, the I)akinis sat in a
row with folded hands to make their offerings. The first said, "I am the
leader in this group. My name is Auspicious Fair Lady of Long Life
[Drashi Tserinma]. I now offer you the accomplishment of protecting
and increasing one's progeny." The I)akini who sat on the right side of
the leader said, "My name is Fair Lady of the Blue Face [Tingeyalzun-.
rna]. I now offer you the accomplishment of divining with a mirror."
The I)iikini who sat to the right of Tingeyalzunma said, "My name is
Crowned Lady of Good Voice [Jupan Drinzonma]. I now offer you the
accomplishment of refilling a storehouse with jewels." The I)akini who
sat to the left of the leader said, "My name is Immutable Fair Lady of
Heaven [Miyo Lonzonma]. I now offer you the accomplishment of
winning food and prosperity." The remaining I)akini, who sat to the
left of Miyo Lonzonma said, "My name is Fair Lady of Virtue and Ac-
tion [Degar Drozonma]. I now offer the accomplishment of increasing
livestock."
Thereupon, the Jetsun imparted to them one by one the teaching of
Taking Refuge, the Code of Morals, and the raising of the Bodhi-Mind
of Wish and of Action, explaining them in general terms as well as in
detail. \Vhereupon, the magical I)akinis were very much pleased and
fascinated. They said to Milarepa, "Although we will not be able to
practice these teachings in as perfect a manner as you have so edify-
ingly instructed us, we will try not to violate these principles and will
never forget the gratitude that we owe you." They then expressed their
sincere thanks to the Jetsun by bending their bodies towards him,
laying their foreheads upon his feet, circling round him, and prostrat-
ing before him many times. Then they all flew into the sky and
vanished in the far distance in a blaze of light.
One evening, later in the month, the hostile and insolent demons of
the Eight Divisions who had come before, returned to Milarepa with
their servants and sons. From the low regions also came many lovely and
coquettish worldly I)akinis [including the five who had come beforel,
wearing splendid silk garments which fluttered lightly in the breeze, and
adorned with jeweled bracelets, necklaces, and various other ornaments
of precious stones. Together with their retinues and associates, these
Non-men spirits all came to Milarepa, filling the sky before him. They
then began to rain flowers upon him, to play all kinds of musical instru-
ments, to burn fragrant incense, and to offer abundant food and drink.
They said, "Pray relate to us your experience of Final Enlightenment-
the utmost understanding of all Buddhas in the Three Times, and the
absolute consummation of the Path. Pray preach for us the Final Truth
of Dharma." In response to their request Milarepa sang a song called
"The Understanding of Reality," in which he illucidated the essence of
the Final Truth and the Ultimate Reality:
On the border of Tibet and Nepal
Lies Dinma Orin, a wonder town