Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Search the Poetry Chaikhana site:

<<Previous Poem | View All Poems by Milarepa | Next Poem >>
The Song on Reaching the Mountain Peak by Milarepa (1052 - 1135) Timeline English version by Garma C. C. Chang Original Language Tibetan Buddhist : Tibetan 11th Century Hearken, my sons! If you want To climb the mountain peak You should hold the Self-mind's light, Tie it with a great "Knot," And catch it with a firm "Hook." If you practice thus You can climb the mountain peak To enjoy the view. Come, you gifted men and women, Drink the brew of Experience! Come "inside" to enjoy the scene -- See it and enjoy it to the full! The Incapable remain outside; Those who cannot drink pure Beer may quaff small beer. He who cannot strive for Bodhi, Should strive for superior birth.     -- from The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa: The Life-Story and Teachings of the Greatest Poet-Saint Ever to Appear in the History of Buddhism, Translated by Garma C. C. Chang Amazon.com	Themes   Birth, Rebirth   Light   Mountain   Wine   Womb Recommended Books Drinking the Mountain Stream: Songs of Tibet's Beloved Saint, Milarepa, Translated by Lama Kunga / Translated by Brian Cutillo The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa: The Life-Story and Teachings of the Greatest Poet-Saint Ever to Appear in the History of Buddhism, Translated by Garma C. C. Chang The Life of Milarepa: A New Translation from the Tibetan, Translated by Lobsang P. Lhalungpa Magnificent Trickster: The Story of Milarepa, by Molly MacGregor Songs of Milarepa: (Dover Thrift Edition), by Milarepa More >>
<<Previous Poem | More Poems by Milarepa | Next Poem >>

Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

The comparison between “pure” beer and “lesser” beer can be read as a comparison between the Mahayana (“greater vehicle”) philosophy which gives personal Buddhahood as a goal, and the Hinayana (“lesser vehicle”) path which suggests self-refinement and personal enlightenment are possible, leading to “superior birth,” but not necessarily full Buddhahood.

But the beer works on a more immediate and esoteric level, too. Milarepa's “small beer” can refer to lesser, worldly experiences, such as mundane alcohol, which give only mundane intoxication, while “pure beer” is associated with the bliss of Bodhi, or awakened awareness.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.