When listening to knowledge

From Drinking the Mountain Stream Songs of Tibet’s Beloved Saint, Milarepa

from: Milarepa Tells His Story

Avoid three faults of pot* when listening to Dharma.

Restrain body, speech, and mind and reflect on it’s meaning.

Hang on well to the words that strike home.

Stem the outbreak of afflictive emotions.

Make fruitful the Holy Dharma you’ve heard.

*Don’t be inattentive and miss the teachings, like a pot turned upside down. Don’t forget what you’ve heard, like a cracked and leaking pot. Don’t taint the teachings with preconceived ideas, like a dirty pot.