the DEATH OF MARPA'S CHILD
(Be Aware Of The Ephemerality OfThis World Hurry Up and Practice!)
Cambodia Retreat March 27,1996.Recently,several practitioners that I knew passed away, and I also felta little bit affected. Though I know this is illusionary, I feltas if I was lacking something.
WHEN DEATH OCCURRED to the child of Marpa,Milarepa's master, he cried so sadly that his disciples flockedaround him and asked, "Master, didn't you say that the worldis only an illusion? Why are you crying so brokenheartedly justbecause your son has died?"
MARPA ANSWERED THEM, "Yes, everythingis illusionary, but the death of a child is the greatest illusionof them all!" (Master and everyone laugh.)
HE couldn't bear it.
WHEN THE BIRTH or death relates to us or toour relatives and friends, our feelings are involved. Then werealize clearly that the world is indeed ephemeral. The worldis truly unreliable. If it is other people's business, we wouldn'tbe so deeply affected emotionally. We might even talk lightheartedly,"Well! Never mind! The world is ephemeral; people come andgo all the time." (Master laughs.) We may even console them.However, when it concerns our personal feelings, or when it happensto our relatives or friends, we will have different feelings.
SOMETIMES, BECAUSE we, ourselves, cannot perceivethe impermanence of the world, God gives us some mishaps, usingthe so-called shock treatment to awaken us. Only then will webe deeply impressed.
THIS WORLD IS really not a permanent place.Wars, calamities or sorrowful situations also function as an effectivebut bitter medicine to help us understand what we are here for.Whatever you want to do, then do it quickly; otherwise, time isrunning out!
ONLY WHEN OUR relatives, friends or our lovedones pass away, then we are truly shocked and realize that itcould happen to us tomorrow. At that time, we feel we should pursuespiritual practice quickly, and understand our inner self as soonas possible.
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