”The sound of thunder, although deafening, is harmless;

The rainbow, despite its brilliant colors, does not last;

This world, though it appears pleasant, is like a dream;

The pleasures of the senses, though agreeable, ultimately lead to disillusionment.”

MILAREPA (1040-1123)

Jetsun Milarepa (btsun rje mi la ras pa, 1040-1123), extracted from the Hundred Thousand Songs (mi la’i mgur ’bum), edited by Tsang Nyon Heruka (gtsang smyon he ru ka rus pa’i rgyan can, 1452-1507), Gangtok, Sherab Gyaltshen, 1983, Matthieu Ricard 2026