The Lotus Garden-s Play

The Lotus Gardens Play

By Dza Patrul Rinpoche

Translated by:

Acharya Nyima Tsering

Edited by:

Vi Landry

Copyright Acharya Nyima Tsering

All Rights Reserved.

Published by:

Vidhyadhara Publication, McLeod Ganj,

Dharamsala, Distt. Kangra (H.P.) INDIA

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.acharyanyima.com

Dedication

I

dedicate

this

book

to

fulfill

the

wishes

of

all

sentient

beings

Contents

Preface ... 6

History of the Lotus Gardens Play ... 10

Synopsis 13

The Lotus Gardens Play ....... 18

Notes .. 79

Glossary . 83

6

PREFACE

Every living creature is unique and has been gifted with the

wisdom to deal with life in its own way. Each and every living

creature carries the habitual karmic imprints of different

experiences through many lifetimes. Even in this life, we

travel to various places, interact with different people, and

are influenced accordingly. So the process of judgement

differs from one person to the next due to different frames of

reference, different forms of socialization, and different

habits that are ingrained from childhood. Therefore, no

person or book can meet the various requirements of every

individual. That acknowledged, I hope that this book will

highlight some general causes of our suffering and some of

the drawbacks of this decadent age, and show us several

techniques to grow and become more mature when dealing

with challenges and difficulties.

It is stated in both Sutra and Tantric text that a mere glimpse

of a true Bodhisattva, or the simple sound of his voice, is

enough to dispel the misery and suffering of sentient beings.

This happens automatically on account of their untainted

prayers and altruistic intention to benefit every sentient

being. Dza Patrul Rinpoche (1808-1887) is one of the most

renowned teachers in Tibet, a great Bodhisattva. His infinite

wisdom and compassion, his peaceful and humble lifestyle,

and his keen interest in working for sentient beings shows

that he was a true embodiment of a Bodhisattva. His

teachings are lucid, meticulous, practical, and down to earth,

meeting the needs of everyone from the most advanced

practitioners to common laypeople. His teachings, devoid of

scholarly elaboration and display, were delivered with the

sincere purpose of benefiting all people.

7

Patrul Rinpoches message reflects that the blessing of

Buddha can be received according to the mental and

emotional capacity of each individual. Every teaching of the

Buddha within Sutra and Tantric texts among the four

lineages are true from their viewpoint, yet one needs to pick

those which best suit ones own mind and heart. As Patrul

Rinpoche noted in his instructions to his disciples:

One does not need to have all knowledge within oneself.

It is not necessary for everyone to rely on one text only.

Because of the different abilities of each person,

One text cannot satisfy everyone.

In his commentary on Shantidevas A Guide to the

Bodhisattvas Way of Life (in March 1995), His Holiness the

Dalai Lama explained how he received the lineage of the

teaching from Patrul Rinpoche through Khunu Lama Tenzin

Gyaltsen. He described Patrul Rinpoches remarkable ability

to transmit the teaching so that even nature, upon hearing

his words, would let flowers bloom spontaneously in an act

of appreciation.

The teachings and writings of Dza Patrul Rinpoche are

perfect; I am only able to make this simple translation, but

my effort will be amply rewarded if anyone gains some

insight while reading this translation. There may be errors

due to my mistaken understanding or due to lack of

conscientiousness on my part. I humbly request all sincere

practitioners and enlightened beings to have patience and

tolerance for any flaws that come to light.

8

Acknowledgments

This book, like everything else in life, has been the fruit of

the collective labor of many individuals. I am indebted to His

Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse

Rinpoche for their kind and compassionate guidance and

inspiration. To the late Geshe Thupten Tsering-la and the

late Geshe Yeshi Topdhen (Gen Druptop) I wish to express

my gratitude for sharing their wisdom with genuine love.

Their contribution to the production of this book is less direct

but no less important than those who were directly involved.

I wish to thank Gyana Vajra Sakya for his true help

whenever it was needed. My thanks go to Khamtrul

Rinpoche for clarifying some complicated passages in the

text. I extend my thanks to Geshi Lhagdor-la, a long time

interpreter of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for editing the

text thoroughly by reading both the Tibetan and English

manuscript. I extend my gratitude to Mrs. Deanna Lynne

Vosper for supporting this translation project and to Mrs.

Ngawang Dolma for her genuine help. Special thanks go to

my family members for their love and support.

I extend my deep gratitude to Lobsang Norbu Shastri, Editor

of the Translation Unit of CIHTS, Sarnath, Varanasi and

Professor Zeff Bjerken from the College of Charleston for

proofreading the text. My appreciation also goes to Alek for

helping me write the synopsis of the story. My thanks also

go to Tenzin Dhonyoe, web designer, for designing the

cover, to Sonam Tsering (researcher in TCV-EDRC) for

providing me with historical explanation for the symbols and

figures mentioned in this book, and to Ngawang Tsering

(lower TCV art teacher) for drawing the cover of The Lotus

Gardens Play; to Jane Perkins and Dr. Kay Candler for the

initial editing of the manuscript. To Kusho Lobsang Yeshi

from the Private Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,

9

Dawa Tsering founder of Longsho Tibetan Youth Movement,

Tenzin Choepel from The Tibet Times newspaper, and

Sonam Tsering, the managing Editor of The Tibet Journal, at

the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Tsering Dorji

staff of Namgyal Monastery, my appreciation for their

sincere help and suggestions. Finally I want to express my

gratitude to my editor Vi Landry, who has worked with me

throughout to rewrite and reshape The Lotus Gardens Play

in an effort to make it beautiful and practical.


26th February 2006

McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala

10

HISTORY OF THE LOTUS GARDENS

PLAY

The Lotus Gardens Play is based on the true story of Patrul

Rinpoches disciple Tashi Gelek and his wife. Some

Nyingmapa masters consider this text as a condensed form

of the book entitled Words of My Perfect Teacher, by Patrul

Rinpoche. It is also treasured as the golden key that opens

the door to Tibetan poetry and literature.

The author metaphorically presents their life story in the form

of two honeybees called Airy Lotus Petal and Delightful

Lotus Speech. Their story is one of love and loss, the joy of

being together, and the pain of separation. Using simple

poetic language which flows as easily and smoothly as a

calm brook on a spring morning, yet containing depths which

might take years of study to comprehend its profound

meaning, Patrul Rinpoche masterfully details the nature of

samsaric life and the struggle to find true Dharma.

This story actually took place in Tibet during the 19th century

in Kham province. The landscape, countryside, and local

inhabitants described in the text are actual places that can

still be visited today. During the 19th century, Tashi Gelek of

Khams-Derge Dankhok, son of Zimpon Tsang, was married

to the 25-year-old daughter of Ju-Tsang Gonpo Dhargye.

The couple lived in peace and prosperity until an epidemic

disease suddenly hit the town. Many people died, including

the wife of Tashi. He mourned with deep grief and, disgusted

with samsaric activities, he shared his sad story with Patrul

Rinpoche. He then became the Rinpoches disciple and

attained high realization.

11

This is his story of how he first enjoyed glorious material

wealth and pleasure and then experienced great pain with

the death of his spouse. He saw that Samsara is like

hallucinatory and illusory city of impermanence created by

the magician of ignorance and karma. Pleasure and pain are

like the fleeting clouds in springtime, and mornings pleasure

becomes a nightmare in the evening, as there is no essence

in either one. He thought it would be beneficial if other

people could also comprehend the drawbacks of samsaric

activities, just as he had. He therefore requested Patrul

Rinpoche to compose a story to help other beings

understand the nature of Samsara. Patrul Rinpoche then

composed the metaphorical story of the two honeybees,

Delightful Lotus Speech and Airy Lotus Petal, who represent

Tashi Gelek and his 25-year-old wife.

Lotus-like Mirror Cave is an actual retreat place also known

as Den Lotus Cave Like Mirror. The distant flower garden

is the North Zagshuka, and Saint Pema Gyespa is Patrul

Rinpoche himself. The Lotus Field is the town of Dankhok,

and the description of many lotuses referes to the varying

degrees of wealth and prosperity of the families living there.

Three special lotuses refer to the noble families of Denma-

DugTsang, Chu-Do Tsang and Zimpon Tsang. Among

these, the two lotuses that are in full bloom refer to the

Chu-Do Tsang and the Zimpon Tsang while the one which is

specially ripened and well arrayed but no one has ever

enjoyed it refers to A-Dug Tsang. The many bees hovering

and flying around refer to the local population, while the

sudden shadow of the black cloud indicates the abrupt

epidemic disease in the locality.

Medicinal Eye Drop Monastery refers to North Zagyal

Monastery. The nurtured entourage of bees and insects

12

refers to the servants. The little black crow refers to a Lama

of the Ragdo area, and the gathering crowd of sparrows

refers to the monks from Den-Cho-Kor Monastery. The Frog

is a cemetery wanderer of Palyul, the Black snake is the

medical doctor Tsepak, and the hermit marmot signifies the

retreat master Choedhar, who lives nearby. The turquoise

cuckoo is Tashi who does divination, the small white wild

horse is the medical doctor Phende Gyatso, the nine-handed

black spider is Sangye Kyab who does ritual prayers to

expel devils, and the kite refers to a Chod practitioner

residing in the woods at that time. The landscape is also

mentioned in the following verse from the text:

The high-peaked Lotus Mountain is the divine land of Tara,

A Palace of the great compassionate deity.

This section goes on to describe a land of sheltering trees

and meadows. According to local people these places still

exist.

Shubhamastu Sarva Jagatam!

13

THE LOTUS GARDENS PLAY:

A SYNOPSIS

This story expounds the relevance of Buddhism to a modern

world. Written in the 19th century by most venerable Patrul

Rinpoche (1808-1887) a Tibetan Buddhist yogi, this story

differs greatly from older Buddhist literature. It is a dramatic

tale about love, loss, and ultimate fulfillment provided by

Buddhahood, attained through practicing the path of

Dharma.

In a beautiful garden of trees and lotus flowers lived a colony

of bees. Two among them were greatly in love, and lived in

peace and prosperity. They were good-hearted spiritual

seekers who reveled in life, enjoying all of the pleasures in

the garden, drinking the sweet nectar of the flowers, and

even engaging in discussion of divine Dharma. In a most

intimate discussion, the golden male bee expressed his

vision of reality: that of all the wonderful things that

characterized his life, nothing would last. He would

eventually lose all that he loved and then die himself. Where

was the meaning in it? Undoubtedly the only real solution

was to take up the path to Buddhahood. His consort, a

turquoise bee, affirmed this truth and they both turned their

attention to the Dharma.

Shortly after this discussion had occurred, a great sage

appeared in the garden. He was known for his compassion

and earnest interest in the welfare of all beings. The couple

exalted him with great reverence and asked to be taught the

Dharma as purely as though from Shakyamuni Buddha

himself, so that they might go beyond this temporal world of

14

pleasure and loss. The sage conceded and proceeded to

expound the most vital teachings of Buddhism to the bees:

All of life is impermanent and transient. One may wallow

in sensual pleasure, but will have to succumb to an ultimate

and inevitable loss. As if this were not bad enough, this

suffering does not end at death. It continues through each

passing rebirth, ad infinitum this is the flaming wheel of

Samsara. The only escape, the only hope for contentment,

lies in the renunciation of attachment for worldly pleasures.

Loss is inevitable, for everything changes, but our imprint of

attachment and grasping to impermanent objects does not.

To follow the Dharma is to be free from the trap of suffering

caused by our negative imprints, and to help others to the

same end.

Upon hearing this message the bees sought to adhere to the

discipline. However, with their love for each other and their

home in the beautiful garden, they faltered and indulged

every now and then in sensual pleasures that surround

them. One day, while the Turquoise Bee was drinking the

sweet nectar of a lotus, a black cloud fell upon the land and

cast the garden into darkness. The bees took shelter as the

flowers closed. The Turquoise Bee became trapped. She

called and called for her lover, and when he came, she

lamented. She had not adhered to the practice laid out by

the sage, she had strayed from the Dharma, and now death

was here to claim her. Her time was up, and she was still

attached to her lover, and thus unable to die due to her

strong longing for him. The Golden Bee consoled her, saying

that there was still a chance to escape: he would find help by

asking all of the magical creatures in this land to free her of

this lotus flower!

15

The Golden Bee flew off in a flash and asked every creature

with the ability to help to do so. The powerful beings

promised to do what they could, and assured him that

everything would surely turn out well. The Golden Bee took

comfort in these words, and returned to his love. Meanwhile,

the clouds thickened, lightning flashed , the winds began to

tear apart the garden, uprooting trees and ripping leaves

apart into pieces. The lotus flowers sank into the lake, now

black and boiling from the torrential rain. The Turquoise Bee

could see the death would soon take her. She regretted not

adhering to the Dharma, not releasing herself from all

attachment to worldly pleasures, including her beloved

Golden Bee. Her time was up, but she pleaded to the

Golden Bee: Never forget the Dharma, Never stop striving.

For her sake, for his own, and for all other beings, she

implored him to follow the path. She prayed that he would

never falter and that all his wishes would be fulfilled. She

then became fully submerged in the tempest. The Golden

Bee could only watch in horror as his world fell apart.

Eventually, the storm subsided. The other bees came out of

hiding and resumed their play. But what was missing? The

Turquoise Bee, his love, was dead. The lotus flower

emerged from the lake now a swamp and freed her

drowned corpse. The Golden Bee was devastated. It pained

him to hear the laughter of other bees. How could they be so

blind? Did they even see what had happened? He retreated

into the forest, wallowing in his loss. Nothing in the beautiful

forest held the attraction it once did. He told himself that he

would follow the most strict austerities to attain Buddhahood

in this life. He discarded his possessions and his clothes,

refrained from eating and retreated to a mountain hermitage.

A great Sage heard the Bees affirmations, and came to test

him. The Bee seemed to be in an unstable state, not

16

conducive to Dharma practice. The Sage warned the Bee

not to act so rashly but to cultivate an earnest desire for

Buddhahood. The Golden Bee was displeased with the

Sage, and explained that indeed, he had the greatest faith in

the Dharma, carefully cultivated over time, and that he could

only act out of compassion for all sentient beings. So

impressed was the sage that he proceeded to teach the Bee

and help him on his path. The Sage instructed the Bee about

all the shortcomings of the path: the pitfalls, the failures,

misfits and the quacks who seem to follow the Dharma but

have lesser intentions. Hearing the words of the Sage, the

Golden Bee realized his own mistakes and he then attained

the perfect wisdom necessary for his enlightenment.

This story metaphorically depicts the draws of worldly life, as

well as the need for spiritual fulfillment. It speaks to one who

loves life, as the bees did, and relates a philosophically

sound argument for Buddhahood that loss is inevitable,

and must be accepted if there is to be peace of mind. Most

modern stories seem to follow the same plot, where some

force of good encounters, struggles with and overcomes a

force of evil. They often end happily ever after, with love

and righteousness prevailing. But this story picks up where

the others leave off, showing that no worldly existence can

be everlasting. Patrul Rinpoche deftly wove this lofty lesson

into his tragic story. In the enchanting garden of Tibets

literary heritage, this text stands out as a most striking and

singular beautiful flower.

18

THE LOTUS GARDENS PLAY

Translated by


Edited by Vi Landry

Om Vajra Tikshna1

Auspicious of all auspiciousness

May the fame of auspiciousness increase

May the banner of Dharma be firmly planted

May you be protected by the wisdom of Bodhisattva

Manjushri

Once there was a holy place blessed by the Lotus Deity2

(Avalokitesvara) and visited by a great adept, the Lotus

King(Guru Rinpoche), and where now dwells the yogini

Lotus Tara in real form.

Beneath the high Lotus Mountain in a deep and vast forest,

in a white crystal-like lotus cave curved like the beginning of

the rising moon, there lived a Brahmin boy known as Khyeu

Pema Gyespa, who came from a distant flower garden. He

knew everything, wandered everywhere, lived anywhere and

was friendly with all beings. He engaged in the practices of

the Bodhisattva known as untainted like lotus, and

meditated on Bodhicitta known as pure water lotus.

During that time, not far away, there was a beautiful garden

known as the garden of Lotus heaps surrounded by a wall

of sheltering trees and meadows as flat as a mirror. It is a

garden of blossoming lotuses, where there are stately

lotuses with towering stems, blooming lotuses with wide

open petals, mature lotuses brimming over with nectar, well

arrayed lotuses with expansive leaves, unripe lotuses with

19

bright stems, closed lotuses with folded hands, decayed

lotuses without anthers, withered lotuses without nectar,

worn out lotuses that have dropped their petals, smiling

lotuses exhibiting their anthers, budding lotuses hidden

among the leaves and naturally ripened lotuses ready to

bloom. Among them there were three special lotuses: full,

ripened and well-arrayed. Of these three, two were in full

bloom. And one is specially ripened and well arrayed but no

one has ever enjoyed it.

Many bees hover and fly around this beautiful garden. Here

there lived a special couple, a small Golden Bee named

Airy Lotus Petal and a small Turquoise Bee named

Delightful Lotus Speech. The Golden Bee is a mature

youth, intelligent, broad minded, sincere, calm and

charitable. The Turquoise bee is also charitable, kind-

hearted, gentle and relaxed, religious minded, guileless, and

without jealousy or malice. They relate to each other

harmoniously, with smiles, loving words and similar

behavior. One day he shared his deepest thoughts with the

other:

Oh listen, our attractive young bodies were not painted

By the brushes of the creator of prosperity.

Crafted by the magical mechanism of merit,

Are they not even able to rival those of the celestial

beings?

We gathered not this ample wealth and prosperity

They are the result of our previous karma.

We did not weave these smooth and soft mattresses of

flowers

Yet we are the first to enjoy the flowers downy cushions.

The anthers sweet nectar were neither fermented nor

distilled by us

20

Yet we enjoy the taste of precious nectar of a hundred

different flavors.

Glorious bliss and happiness are not due to hard work

But come to us spontaneously through our previous

merit.

If our mind and thoughts are directed towards Dharma,3

It is worth calling this human body a

Rebirth endowed with leisure and good fortune,

Though able to communicate and comprehend,

If only negativity4 is collected

There is nothing to envy

About those other two-legged beings.

So listen my beloved:

Here is a garden so attractive and beautiful

With so many sweet and tasty drops of the anthers

nectar

With so many hives of bees humming in the same tone.

This is the glory of spring.

Yet it is only short and momentary

The causes and conditions of death are manifold and

unexpected,

Pain and pleasure change from moment to moment;

The messenger of Lord of Death draws nearer and

nearer.

If we waste our lives seeking only sensual pleasure and

joy

Then there is no essence in the happiness of this life.

The hurried activities of this worldly life are mere

distractions

As there is no end to them, neither temporarily nor in the

long run.

21

No matter how long and intensely we plan

For survival in this life

Nothing has meaning when our life ends.

This heavenly garden may look pleasant

But will have no use if were to depart.

Reflecting on the meaning, my darling,

Lets firmly resolve to move in the path of Dharma.

O my fortunate beloved, do you aspire for divine

Dharma?

O my hearts love, do you also feel the same?

This said, she replied:

Good! Good! My beloved, for what you say is true

indeed.

Truer still are the thoughts you treasure in your mind.

Sowing these cherished thoughts in the core of your

heart

You have in you the precious nectar of immortality.

This beautiful garden of the human world

Has not descended from the heavens.

The wealth of the fortunate and friendly bees which gives

Satisfaction are derived from the power of previous

karma.

The nature of Samsara5 is beautiful yet impermanent.

Material assets, however bountiful, are fleeting illusions.

There is no satisfaction however much you enjoy worldly

pleasures

They are all alluring and deceptive.

22

This is Samsara, the realm without essence.

You must, therefore, fortify your mind with armor

While I shall engrave these words in my heart.

Resolved thus, how can there be change in agreement.

Fortunate one, lets tread the path of Dharma.

Though accumulated with much hardship

There is no essence to the wealth we amass

In which others will luxuriate.

There is no benefit in nurturing an entourage.

Though nourished with a loving mind,

They will ultimately turn against you.

There is no reward in constructing buildings.

Though intended for good,

These works lead us to death.

There is no point in cultivating land.

Although considered profitable,

It is akin to working in a pogrom of insects.

However one has to act slowly and steadily,

Since out of haste and hurriedness

Nothing is accomplished.

If the hearts vow is imprinted indelibly,

The mind shall enjoy greater freedom.

Thus it was said. At that time, there was a sage known as

All Wishes Fulfilled, who embodied compassion, who was

peaceful in his behavior, and who gained a special delight in

working for the welfare of sentient beings. He also arrived at

23

that place. The two bees went and made prostration with

humble respect, offered the sweet taste of honey and

welcomed him with pleasant speech. Then they requested:

O, Great Sage of the Celestial Beings, since you are the

regent of Buddha, please teach us the Dharma as Buddha

taught it. Since you are the lamp of teaching, teach us the

essence of how to practice the Dharma. Since you are the

noble Sangha,6 teach us the practices of Bodhisattvas. We

will also follow you Sublime One.

As they pleaded, the great sage also radiated with enormous

pleasure, empowered his physical glory, uplifted his speech

and then taught the Dharma.

I prostrate to the exalted beings.

O Supreme protector, deity of the deities,

Incomparable Liberator guide, and Lord of the Shakya

clan,7

To you I humbly prostrate.

May the mind of the sentient beings in the six realms turn

towards Dharma.

Listen, you two little bees, bounded by your previous Karma,

If you wholeheartedly seek the path of Dharma,

Then ponder this;

For this is the speech and instruction of the Buddha.

Analyze and contemplate this.

As this is the essence of Dharma,

Cherish it deeply in your mind.

Alas! Sentient beings of the six realms8

From the past you have wandered long in this realm of

Samsara

And so you shall in the future find no end to

24

The illusory appearance of karma and delusion.

Since it is rare to hear even the name of the Triple Gem

Over countless billions of eons,

Meeting with the teachings of Buddha is

Even rarer, like a star in daylight.

In this aeon, the fourth Buddha, son of Shuddhodhana9

The supreme leader, the Great Sage,10

came to this world

And turned the three wheels of Dharma.

The time period of the Dharma

For five thousand years has not yet ended.

Thus you have an opportunity

To pursue the spiritual path;

And when you are supported by the

Conducive factors of your spiritual master,

If you do not strive wholeheartedly in the Dharma path,

You shall not be reborn into such a fortunate state

And it will be difficult to hear even the name of the Three

Jewels.

Alas! Sentient beings of this illusory Samsara,

Who grasp after essenceless composite phenomena as

permanent;

Elements in this external world are transitory

The lives of all migrating beings within this world are

impermanent;

In between glory of the four seasons are impermanent.

Behold, when even those holy beings, Buddhas and

Bodhisattvas,

Demonstrate impermanence by passing into Nirvana,

25

What need be said about how the Lord of Death flings his

noose on Lord Brahma11

and so forth, the master of beings

held supreme in Samsara.

The hour the Lord of Death will strike

Is unknown to all beings

For no one is certain

About either the time or the place of ones death.

Conditions leading to death are many

While those supporting life are few.

Hence if we do not seek the Dharma path instantly

We will be like animals in a slaughterhouse

Waiting in a queue for our predestined death.

Alas! One does not completely cease after death,

But wanders in Samsara and is reborn again.

Wherever born, one shall not find any happiness.

Beings in the eighteen hell realms are

Tormented by the suffering of intense heat and cold.

Hungry ghosts suffer from hunger and thirst,

While animals prey upon each other.

Humans are painted by their short lives.

While demi-gods engage in fights and disputes.

God dawdle in sensual pleasure

Only to be confounded by death and transmigration.

There is no happiness anywhere since

All are encompassed in a blazing fire.

One will suffer continuously for many lifetimes.

It is thus worthwhile to feel saddened by

The nature of this life in Samsara.

26

Ah, pleasure and pain are caused by karma.

Karma, like an artist, is the creator of all.

Karma, once ripened, will never be exhausted

Even after a hundred eons.

The karma we incur is not experienced

By others nor is it liable to change.

Virtuous actions result in high rebirth,

Upper realms and liberation.

Non-virtuous actions bring pain,

Lesser rebirth and being stuck in Samsara.

Even minute karma produces enormous effects.

The pleasure, joy and material prosperity of gods of a higher

realm

As well as pain of hell in lower realms, however unbearable

Are all the creation of our actions.

There is no cause other than karma.

Hence, at every occasion and situation,

Remain stable in mindfulness,

Introspection and conscientiousness,

Strive in the collection and elimination

Of cause and effect, according to its karma.

Ah! Spiritual Guru, the source of all knowledge

And the supreme lamp illuminating the path to liberation!

Your deeds, in this degenerate era, are similar to that of the

real Buddha12

With inestimable compassion and kindness, you are greater

than the Buddha.

If one does not rely upon a qualified spiritual teacher

27

One is like a blind man without an escort walking down the

road.

Hence, he is a wish-fulfilling tree,13

a wish-granting gem.

Having first examined the noble master, rely upon him.

Then, train in his way of thinking and conduct;

Merge your consciousness with his mind.

Such fortunate beings shall not be influenced by evil spirits

And shall find the right path to the Buddhas delight.

Amazing! Nirvana is the state of peace and joy

It is the Dharma devoid of all the chronic afflictions of

Samsara.

It is the final end to all suffering and its causes.

It is the holy city of liberation with an uncontaminated path

Filled with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

It is the home of Hearers, Solitary Realizers14

and exalted

beings.

It is therefore worthwhile to strive in this path to liberation.

Ah! The incomparably kind and precious Supreme Gem,15

Is the ultimate refuge that never deceives.

Seeking refuge in it has satisfied me.

Therefore it is worthwhile for you to do the same.

If you seek refuge with wholehearted faith and reverence,

There is nothing as incontrovertible as the Triple Gem.

For only the Triple Gem can save us from Samsara.

Seeking refuge, we gain merit as vast as the horizon of the

sky and help dispel the eight and sixteen-fold fears and so

forth and all host of hindering and harmful factors.

Freedom from the suffering of the lower realms of Samsara

Is certain in future lives.

In all situations remember the supreme gems without

forgetting,

Take refuge repeatedly and recite prayers.

28

Amazing! The trail left by countless Buddhas.

It is the sole path tread by Buddhas sons,

The sublime wealth, the excellent mind of enlightenment,

Please generate it in the nature of aspiration and engaging

bodhicitta,

From this you will obtain the name bodhisattva

And will travel on the blissful path leading to a blissful state-

-complete Buddhahood16

- thus is not far.

Beings of the three realms are our kind parents,

Yet like a blind man wandering through the plains

Without guardians or friends

Although desiring happiness

They constantly create the causes of suffering.

Hence, develop a mind full of love and compassion for them.

Wearing the armor of great mental courage

That I will eliminate the suffering of all sentient beings.

If exchanging self with others, cherishing others more than

self,

The Four Immeasurable,17

the Six Perfections,18

And the Four Means of Gathering Disciples19

are practiced

wholeheartedly.

It is said that every Bodhisattva practice is

Encapsulated in the sublime path of the Six Perfections.

This path which pleases the Buddha is the heart essence of

the essence.

So cherish it deep in the core of your heart.

Oh! Dwelling for too long in this cycle of existence

You have accumulated countless negativities from

beginningless time

Unless you strive to purify negativity and downfalls

29

By means of instructions on the Four Powers,20

It will be difficult to escape from cyclic existence.

Vajrasattava,21

in the conch and moon color,

Sits on a cushion of a lotus and moon disc

Radiating forth his graceful smile.

He is the sole form of all Sugata Buddhas,

And the embodiment of all the root Gurus and their lineages.

If you visualize him and recite the hundred-syllable mantras

According to the ritual

All negativity and downfall will be purified,

And all hells will be cleaved from their bases.

Oh! Only those who amass merit can attain Buddhahood.

This reward is not attainable by those who have not

accumulated merit.

Therefore, visualize a blissful land of Buddha and

Make skillful offerings within the limit of your wealth.

Contemplating on Emanation Bodies22

of the three

thousand world realms23

-

The Body of Perfect Resources24

from the state Below

None, and the Truth Body25 from the state of reality,

Offer your body, wealth and merit of the three times

To your teacher, the three Precious Jewels and three bodies

of Buddha.

Perfect in the accumulations, train in the visualization of

Buddha Fields,

Ripen the minds of sentient beings, and collect an

abundance of merit.

See this as the pith of instructions on perfecting the

accumulations.

30

Alas! From beginningless time, due to the habituation of

ignorance,

We have conceived a self that lacks an autonomous self

And thus wandered endlessly in this cyclic existence.

Conceiving corporeality in that which lacks a body,

Attachment and hatred arise.

So dedicate this deeply cherished illusory body

As an offering of charity without attachment.

Offer this in the form of nectar to the Triple Gem above

And satisfy the migratory beings below

Which will accomplish the two-fold accumulations.

May it appease demons, spirits and karmic creditors,

As well as eliminate all obstacles.

Make offerings to the higher beings;

Give charity to the downtrodden

Through gratifying material objects and visualized offerings.

Dedicate wholesome merit to all sentient beings.

Since all phenomena are subject to your way of thinking

The merit of this offering is the same as offering ones own

body.

It leaves a disposition toward greater charity

Completes the collection of merit and purifies obscurities.

You will attain Clear Light in the intermediate state.

Evading death, you shall overcome

Sickness, evil spirits and hindrances.

Hence, this is the skillful means of accumulating merit.

Oh! Benevolent One who embodies all precious ones,

You integrate the precious nature of all Buddhas.

31

O Blessed One, you hold the priceless treasure

Of instruction of the three lineages.26

Thou shall pray to the supreme saviormy root Guru.

If you visualize him seated above your head or in your

hearts core

The merit shall be equal to that attained by meditating on all

the Buddhas.

Enter in your minds continuum

The blessings of your Guru and the three traditions

Integrate your mind with your Guru

You shall attain spiritual realization.

Hence to attain the feat of realizing the true nature of reality

Strive in the essential and profound practice of supreme

Guru Yoga.

Seek the Four Initiations27

from the rays

Of the three letters on the three bodily parts.

It shall create the conditions

For purifying the Four Obscurations,28

And attaining the Four Bodies29

and the Four Aspects of a

Vidhyadhara.

Restore your commitments to the practices of the Four-Fold

path30

Thus the mundane and supramundane worlds appears in

you as the artifice of your Guru.

Pacifying temporary misfortunes, may all wishes be fulfilled.

One will reach the kingdom of Dharmakaya in this life.

If not, one will be born in the divine land of lotus rays in the

next life.

Which trail the paths of the Four-Fold Vidhyadharas31

You will proceed, like magic, towards the primordial state.

32

Working for sentient beings, who are as infinite as the sky,

You will fill all existing realms with the appearance of

Enlightened bodies and wisdom.

Oh! The only path treaded by all the Buddhas

Is passed down as oral instruction through

The three traditions of the Vidhyadharas

And incorporated in the Sutra of Eighty Four Thousand32

Topics.

This indeed is the quintessential core of the instruction.

No Dharma as profound as this can be taught

Even if a hundred scholars and thousand adepts may

appear.

This indeed is the essence of the sublime Dharma!

Core practice to thousands of Sangha, the assembly of

exalted beings.

May the merit gained from teaching and hearing this

Dharma.

Help infinite sentient beings rely on it

To attain complete enlightenment in one lifetime.

Thus speaking, he blessed and prayed for the two bees. He

wandered to different places, working for the welfare of all

sentient beings, for whomever saw, heard, remembered, or

were touched by him. He passed into a non-residual state of

peace, like an extinguished fire, in a monastery known as

the Medicinal Eye Drop. Since then most of the two bees

actions were in accord with the instructions of the sage,

although sometimes they thoughtlessly indulged in romantic

games and craved sensual objects.

33

A long time passed in this way until one day the Turquoise

Bee was drinking sweet nectar and the Golden Bee was

hovering above. Suddenly the sunlight disappeared as the

shadow of a black cloud spread over the ground.

Simultaneously the petals of a lotus flower closed around the

Turquoise Bee, nearly suffocating her. Frightened and

agitated, unable to even cry out, she remained there, making

helpless sounds bob,bob,bob,bob. Scared, the Golden Bee

and didnt know what to do. He alighted near the stem of the

lotus, his heart tormented with grief. While rolling on the

ground he cried:

Alas! Alas! How frightening !

My! My! What a sudden calamity !

What to do, what to do with this cruel tragedy !

What monster has come so unexpectedly ?

Who is the fiendish one that concealed so suddenly

The round and beautiful sun in the sky?

What is this bad factor that suddenly clamp shut

This beautiful hundred-petalled flowers arrayed on the

ground?

Where has my beloved one gone?

Where has that gauzy-winged flier gone?

Where has that singer with a titillating voice gone?

Where has the sharer of secrets gone?

Where has the beautiful and gleaming smiler gone?

Where has that joyful flier gone?

Where has the turquoise winged one with flirtatious looks

gone?

Where has the one with six legs and beautiful limps gone?

Where has the one with the clear ringed body gone?

Where has the one with the shiny black tuft gone?

Where has that piece of my heart gone?

What should I do if my heart becomes empty?

34

O my beloved, the one with melodious voice,

Wake up! Wake up! Can you hear me?

If you respond not to the call of this winged friend

My heart shall soon break into pieces!

Why did these black clouds, unpredictable and merciless,

Put an innocent bee into such an experience ?

O kind Lotus, the one with a hundred wide petals,

Is it you that are helpless?

O kind Sun, the embodiment of compassion,

Do not stay behind the shade of that evil black cloud!

Radiate outward your warm rays of compassion!

How joyous if I were that Vayave33

The wind that destroys the evil black cloud.

How happy if I were a powerful two-legged human

Who could shred apart this multi-petalled lotus!

We poor bees, what karmic misfortune!

Alas! Do you, O dwellers of the sky, hear me?

If so, give your orders to this evil cloud.

Delightful Speech! Delightful Speech!

The core of my heart!


Fresh young tree entwining my mind!


Dearly beloved friend!

Delightful speech! Delightful Speech!

My hearts angel!

Oh! Oh! Poor Golden Bee!

As he spoke he felt intense pain, rolling to and fro. The

Turquoise Bee also summoned a whisper of breath inside

the lotus, so she was able to call out from the closed flower:

35

Airy Lotus Petal. The Golden Bee then felt extremely

happy. He thought that she had recovered and immediately

he revived. Turning towards the opening in the petals he

shouted: Delightful Speech! She heard him calling her, and

also realized that she was trapped inside the lotus. She

began to ponder the situation: Oh! Oh! Although we

received profound Dharma instruction from the great sage

known as All Wishes Fulfilled, we havent practiced it even

slightly. Although we promised to practice the sublime

Dharma, we have already exhausted our lifespan while only

intending to practice Dharma. Now I am inside a lotus like a

prescient Deva34

forseeing his long time suffering in the

future of transference and death. Or is it possible that I might

escape death, if the sunlight were to return, the petals of this

flower would release me. However, Airy Lotus is tormented

by suffering; if I respond to his plea, he might hear me.

O gossamer-winged one, gossamer-winged one,

Supremely light-winged divine prince!

How blissful to hear your sweet voice, nectar to my ears!

Even so what is this misfortune

That I am unable to see your handsome young face,

Which is nectar to my eyes.

Sudden darkness, powerful messenger of the Lord of Death,

Your arrival caught me unaware.

The bright and beneficent sun is no longer in the sky;

Where has it gone?

Beautiful soft quilt and mattress of petals

And droplets of sweet and flavorful honey

Sweet incense, a delight to the nasal senses.

Beautiful colorful fresh forms that delight the eyes

This rounded blossom of a lotus fulfilling all sensual desires;

How has it turned into a death trap?

36

How can these many silken petals

Become like an opulent prison,

This treasure of sweet nectar become manacles?

This is the suffering of change.

Oh! The kind and benevolent sage,

When he bestowed the precious nectar-like instruction

He taught us the impermanent nature of Samsara;

Today it has become a reality for us.

Oh! What use are heavenly pleasure and material wealth,

Even when they rival the bliss and treasures of the gods?

Now it is no further than the blink of an eye

To the gates of the Lord of Deaths realm.

Alas! What a painful premonition of falling into the suffering

of change!

Although I wished to practice the divine Dharma,

I failed in my effort to apply it instantly.

If I have to journey down the long

Narrow path of Intermediate State

There will be no reliable divine Dharma practice with me.

Though the intimation of deaths arrival is in my mind,

I never realized the uncertainty of the hour of death.

Having wasted my time in idle procrastination and laziness,

I am suddenly confronted with the monstrous Lord of Death.

Although the suffering nature of Samsara is in my mind,

I was unable to curb my craving for momentary sensual

pleasures.

37

The devil of the five sense objects has allured the five

senses

And formed the basis for further suffering in Samsara.

Although the infallible law of cause and effect is in my mind,

I failed to apply the profound teachings of acceptance and

rejection.

Having spent my life thoughtlessly in distractions,

There is nothing that I can point to as trustworthy practice.

Alas! My beloved young bee,

I had heard of the dangerous enemy known as

The monstrous Lord of Death,

And today it seems that he has finally arrived.

The Lotus Garden is where I live.

Although I never thought I would abandon it,

Today it seems the Lord of Death will suddenly pull me

To the gates of death.

Sweet honey is the food I eat;

Although I never thought of giving it up

Today due to the unexpected law of the Lord of Death

It seems I will have no nourishment other than

The smell arising from butter and tsampa.

I walk the path of the spacious sky

And have no desire to descend elsewhere

But today the Lord of Death forcibly takes me onto the long

route of the intermediate state of rebirth.35

My parents are loving and kind;

Although I have no desire to separate from them,

Today I must wander in the court of King Yama

38

Where I have neither relatives nor friends.

My entourage of flying creatures that I well cared for

Although I have no wish to part from them,

Today I must begin towards the wide path36

to the next life

And travel alone without friends.

My clothes are smooth and soft cotton grass;

I have no desire to abandon them,

Today I will be taken away naked

Bound by the lasso of the Lord of Death.

Intimate friend, gossamer winged Airy Lotus,

Although I do not wish to leave you,

Today the reality of impermanence revealed its true nature.

It seems I will go to a place where you can neither see nor

hear me.

O! My beloved young friend,

From the time we met until now

Your beautiful face has been adorned with a loving smile;

I do not remember you ever showing frown expression.

Your loving speech has nurtured me with kind words;

I do not ever remember you scolding me out of anger.

You have treated me with a loving mind and steadfastness;

I do not remember you ever being unreliable or shameless.

We shared all we needed to sustain us in everyday life;

I do not remember ever making a distinction between me

and you.

In all our various immediate and temporary activities,

And in our behavior over these many years,

I do not remember you expressing any unhappiness.

39

I am grateful that you have nurtured me with a firm and

steadfast heart!

I feel deeply touched that you treated me with constant love!

I remember your loving words and

Peaceful harmonious speech,

I remember your loving trust and

Ceaseless intimate devotion.

It seems that I must depart from our home

But I do not dwell in regret thinking

This is my place.

It seems that I must part ways from my amassed wealth,

But I do not wallow in regret

By thinking about material possessions.

It seems that I must part from my servants, who looked after

us,

But I do not indulge in regret by thinking of messengers and

attendants.

It seems that I must abandon this dearly-cherished body,

But I do not regret by thinking of my youthful figure.

It seems that I must part from this precious life,

But I do not indulge in regret by remembering

The pleasant appearances of this world.

But this regret, which pains my heart due to parting from

you,

Who has nurtured me with your love, is unavoidable.

Remembering your loving, handsome face

A rain of tears streams down from my eyes.

40

Remembering your tender loving mind,

The darkness of suffering overshadows my mind.

Remembering the breath of your loving speech,

An immense fire of suffering flares up in my mind.

But what can be done as the force of karma has come?

Who will evade the war troops of the Lord of Death?

Who will stop the suffering appearances of Samsara?

You, too, should ponder this until there is no regret in your

mind.

If the bright rays of the sun return I may escape,

But keep a calm, spacious and relaxed mind.

Even if I fail to escape and must die here

My long-time adoring friend,

The way you have nurtured me with tender care,

There is nothing more you can do.

This lifes mission is fulfilled.

During our happy moments in the past

We wrote promises and optimistic wishes in our hearts.

Do you still remember them? My dear,

If the time comes for us to separate,

Do not give up your hearts promises.

If you can carry on with the divine Dharma,

There is nothing more to say.

The gossamer winged bee replied:

O listen, Delightful Speech, Delightful Speech,

Small and beautifully singing Turquoise Bee:

Dont be afraid! dont be afraid!

Calm your mind!

Dont be scared, dont be scared,

Generate strength in your mind.

41

Temporary pain and pleasure do not last long

The black cloud in the sky does not stay in one place.

It is impossible to extinguish the bright rays of sunshine;

This sudden black cloud is only a temporary misfortune.

There might be a means to dispel this hindrance.

Our nurtured entourage of many bees and insects

If we send them as messengers in all different directions,

They might accomplish our intended wishes.

Our accumulated treasure of honey,

If spent on charity, might resolve this temporary obstacle.

If we ask the worlds intellectuals and all the scholars,

They may know the cause of our temporary

Obstacle and how to overcome it.

If we rely upon other powerful skilled beings,

They might directly dispel the adventitious black cloud.

In every village amidst mountain cliffs,

The little black crow is known for producing pleasant

sounds and is said to foretell events for the entire world.

If we ask him, he might make a prediction.

In a small hole, atop of a huge fort,

Many sparrows gather.

They are known to recite mantras

Together, which allay misfortune.

If we invite this flock of birds, they recite mantras.

Near the drenched well and ponds

They live many frogs so ugly in appearance.

42

They are known to be the messengers of the black Naga

monster.37

If we ask them, they might solve our dilemma.

In a burrow under bushes and amidst leaves

There lives a venomous black snake in fearful form.

It is said that he is the actual body of the wrathful Naga.

If we seek refuge in him, the black cloud will disappear.

In a deep cave at the peak of the hill in our garden,

Resides the great meditator, the marmot

Who has been meditating for long time.

He is known to have a one-pointed meditative concentration

If we ask him, he might give us his meditative perception.

In the top branches of the enchanting trees

Lives the melodious turquoise bird, the cuckoo,

Who is known to invoke the rain and clouds.

If we offer her a present she might stop her song.

In the solitary picturesque grasslands

There lives a messenger of the gods

A small white-muzzled horse.

It is said that it has a precious jewel,

Which can summon the suns rays.

If we ask him, he will raise his muzzle.

In an undefined place, in a hole near our home,

There lives a nine-handed black spider.

He is a hunter who kills all, and

Its said that he is an emanation of the black butcher.

If we approach him, he might find some solution.

There is a small brown kite who cries so loudly

43

That his voice carries through the sky

To the high mountain cliffs.

He is known to be the messenger

Of the King of Birds, the Garuda.38

If we rely upon him, he might

Resolve the problem through violent action.

There is no misfortune that cannot be averted.

There is no evil karma that cannot be purified through

confession.

There is no hindrance that cannot be overcome through

antidotes.

There is no demons spell that cannot be undone.

The gossamer-winged Golden Bee has the means and

courage.

If you maintain a spacious mind at ease, there is freedom.

One should work with a hundred different means

To achieve whatever is best.

So saying, he went to the crow, who told him:

The Naga is the original source and Garuda is the

destroyer.

The wind is the antidote, and there are many other solutions.

Temporarily theres a risk, but theres no harm in the long

run.

Then he visited the other.

The leader of the sparrows stated:

Collection of blessings are similar to a huge fire.

If you burn up the forest of previous karma,

What need is there for uprooting shoots of grass,

Which are only temporary causes?

44

You should put your efforts into making offerings and giving

charity.

Having spoken thus, he returned to recite his prayers.

The Frog told him: I am an ugly frog, the messenger

Of the black Naga monster.

The source of the black cloud is the Naga.

If you ask him, he will obviously eliminate it.

So speaking, he gazed up at the sky.

The Snake said: From the hoods of the furious Lord of

Water39

The black cloud and the hailstorm formed.

The hoods belong to the furious Snake.

I have the means to eliminate the black cloud.

Speaking thus, he released the coiled knot of his body.

The Marmot said: I am meditating without any distraction,

But the golden bees speech is compelling.

I will definitely do prayers in my hermitage.

It is certain that there will be no harm in the future.

Speaking thus, he blinked his eyes.

The Cuckoo said, The blue cuckoo is the messenger

Of the protector deity of rain and clouds.

I have some authority to make the cloud appear and

disappear.

Obviously I will do my best.

Thus speaking, she bobbed up and down.

The Wild Horse said: I am a superb young bachelor

My upper lip is a wish fulfilling jewel.

It is the broom to sweep any obscuration from the sky.

You have not made a mistake in consulting me.

45

Speaking thus, he lifted his muzzle towards the sky.

The Black Spider said: It is the vapor from the mouth of

The butcher that will dispel it and none other.

If the flesh of many insects and bees are gathered,

I will offer them to the higher beings and

Release the evil effects of hindrances.

Speaking thus, he wove many webs.

The Kite said: I myself am a great Garuda

Who destroys the Naga. I eat snakes and

Snap up frogs and destroy the wealth of the Naga.

The power of my jaws is like a thunderbolt.

I destroy through violent means. Speaking thus,

He flew away so quickly that only the sound of his speed,

Shooo shoooo was left behind.

Then the Golden Bee felt that, hearing all the advice of these

famed and important creatures, possibly after a while the

dark cloud would clear and Delightful Speech would escape.

With this thought he felt at peace and relaxed a little.

Suddenly many black and glowering clouds formed in the

sky, darkening the whole surrounding. Sounds of thunder

burst from the south and strong harsh winds simultaneously

produced a sound like woo roo roo. Simultaneously, the

lotus petals closed even tighter, so that Delightful Lotus

Speech, still completely curled up inside the lotus, was

unable to even straighten or move her limbs. Nearly

suffocated, it was difficult for her to cry out, but she

managed to mumble in a low voice:

O Dear Golden Bee, divine prince,

I feel the tightening of the hundred petals.

46

The Anthers are becoming unbearable thorns,

The grooves of the petals feel as hard as rocks,

Being squeezed inside the flower it is difficult to move my

limbs.

I am nearly suffocated; it is difficult to inhale and exhale,

And without breath it is difficult to speak.

Now, it is certain that I can never escape.

The dragon-like sound of thunder has burst out from all

directions,

Like Dri.ri.ri

While raging winds erupt with sounds like wu.ru.ru.

From the way I feel the lotus is being tossed above,

In a pond filled with heaving waves.

It is certain that black clouds will let loose harmful hailstones.

If such a violent storm comes,

It will destroy any green grass in its path.

It will break any stems standing in its path.

It will smash any petals and branches in its path.

It will destroy any ripened fruit it its path.

It will crush any blooming flowers in its path.

It will turn the sky and land upside down.

It will shatter even the hard mountain rock.

It will crush the thick, tall trees.

It will send down violent thunderbolts.

Now it is better for you to run away!

It is certain that Delightful Speech will never escape.

For the last rites said between the living and

The dying, it is more sensible to be direct and to the point

Rather than mumbling incomprehensibly.

47

The earlier teaching of the Great Sage is

Especially relevant in my mind today.

Today I keenly perceive the tales of

Suffering and the reality of Samsara.

Today I keenly understand the teaching that

Everything is impermanent.

Karma ensures that every meeting will end in parting;

Do not allow your mind to be depressed

I too will not wallow in regret but shall endure this.

Do our past discussions, like a silken knot,

Still remain tight without release?

Do our hearts desires, engraved in stone,

Still remain legible without fading?

Does the hearts promise that we bound so tight

Still remain firm without being unrevealed?

At the appearance of suffering cyclic existence

Did you develop remorse from the depths of your heart?

Do you feel conviction about the uncertainty

Of the hour at the Lord of Deaths arrival?

Do you feel deep disgust for the deceptive

Nature of the objects of five senses?

Do you feel a constant conviction that

Every meeting ends in parting?

Although I have met with the holy Lama,

I regret that I have not resolved all doubts.

Although I have heard the eloquent Dharma teaching,

I regret that I have not put it into practice.

Although I have attained leisure and a fortunate rebirth,

I regret that I have not taken advantage of these

opportunities.

48

Although I know the impermanence of life,

I regret that I have not practiced the Dharma

Which benefits one at the time of death.

Although I have heard various

Aspects about the cause and effect of karma,

I regret that I am unable to adopt positive practices

And reject negative ones.

Although the teachings of Samsaric suffering

Has been given to me,

I regret that I did not feel saddened by it.

Now death has certainly arrived

And the wrathful face of the Lord of Death

Is like a darkness that overshadows everything.

I feel afraid when the wrathful eyes of the

Lord of Death flicker so fearfully.

Frightening darkness lies ahead of me,

I regret that I cannot see my karmic destiny.

The stormy wind of karma

Is pushing me behind;

I feel scared that I have no freedom.

I hear thundering sound like kill, kill, hit, hit.

I feel scared when such hallucinations appear.

The minions of the Lord of Death show

Many terrifying faces. I feel terrified when

They perform such violent acts.

When the Lord of Deaths noose wraps round my neck,

And drags me helplessly, I feel sheer terror.

Sent into the land of the next life with final farewell,

I feel isolated and alone without any friends.

49

I am traveling without rest to an unknown place.

I feel afraid, not knowing where I am going.

The illusory appearances of the six migrations

Now appear as clear as the stars.

I feel afraid without protection or support.

Although I wished to practice the Dharma,

I failed to practice at the right moment.

My loving friend, small bee,

You must ponder this and move to

Practice the divine Dharma:

Tread the path of divine Dharma without delay.

You must decide to practice without any distraction.

Make an effort single-mindedly without procrastination;

Generate joyous effort quickly, without delay.

Dont give up Dharma practice even when

Important matters distract you.

Keep this promise, even if it costs you your life.

Any advice that attracts you to the mundane world

Is the speech of a demon;

Dismiss it with a laugh; dont keep it in mind.

Distraction and laziness are the causes of deception,

Abandon them like poison without craving.

May your practice of Dharma be as long as your life span,

And may your life span be linked to the Dharma.

May you be successful in your efforts to follow the divine

Dharma.

With your achievement of the secure place (Buddhahood)

And my attainment of Nirvana,

At last in the state of great bliss, there will be

50

An actual meeting of the living and the dead.

It is up to you whether or not you will accomplish this.

I expect that from the world beyond

I will be looking from my grave with dead eyes.

These are my only three dying wishes40

.

Keep these thoughts in your heart, my dear.

Now I am going to the fortress of the powerful.

Even though I am going on Deaths journey,

It brings relief to my mind that you remain there behind.

It will benefit us both if you practice divine Dharma.

It is better to find a place to hide quickly

Before the storm and hailstones arrive.

I pray for your good health.

I pray for your long life.

I pray for you to achieve the divine Dharma.

I pray for you to fulfill your wishes.

Now try to remain as healthy as you can.

With these words, her breath expired in exhaustion. The

Golden Bee could not respond to her being completely

overcome by suffering, while he kept repeating alas!

alas!. Suddenly a sharp thorn of pain pierced his heart, and

he felt overwhelmed. Hailstones tumbled down from the

thundering clouds while a strong sound wur,wur,"

thunders above. Flashes of lightning struck through the

darkness. The Golden Bee entered a cave and remained

there helplessly, whispering mournfully. With the heavy rain

and hailstones the whole mountain and valley became a

scene of gushing water and landslides. The violent crack of

thunderbolts seemed to fill all the surrounding space and

51

earth, and the entire river appeared swollen with high waves.

Hills everywhere became ravines; land everywhere became

swamp; and water boiled like blood. Among the bushes and

flowers, the tall plants were flattened and the small ones

were crushed. Long plants were broken, short ones

smashed and thin ones disappeared completely without

trace.

Then the black cloud cleared and the sky turned bright.

Sunshine roused the Golden Bee, and he went to the lotus

garden. The bigger plants lay scattered and smashed on the

ground and there was not even a trace of the smaller ones.

During the hailstorm all the lotuses in the pond had been

submerged. When the hail ceased, they rose to float on the

surface of the pond. When their petals opened, some bees

were flying playfully around. Although the flower in which

Delightful Lotus Speech was trapped also survived, the

flower had sunk below the water during the storm and

Delightful speech had drowned. Her body was curled up

inside, stuck to the anthers. The Golden Bee felt tormented

with overwhelming grief, his heart burst and his eyes

brimmed with tears. As the sun emerged the petals of

lotuses opened, but all that had previously brought pleasure,

such as the playful and joyous humming of other bees,

became an additional source of suffering. In a mournful

speech he expressed his extreme helplessness:

Oh my! Oh my! This is suffering, this is suffering,

The nature of Samsaric suffering.

Look at this suffering,

An illusory city of impermanence.

Look at the demolished traces of what remain,

This illusory house of impermanence,

Look at the way it collapsed.

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Deceitful, artificial, sensual objects,

Look at their changes.

Those well-arranged beautiful flowers of the past,

Now their petals are ravaged.

Those grown leaves of the past

Now they are scattered everywhere.

This mornings pleasant and enjoyable landscape

Is now filled with suffering.

My beloved, kind friend of the past

Now her body and mind are separated.

Cool and relaxed Golden Bee of the past,

Now I am in a state of despair.

The pleasing appearances of sensual objects in the past

Now they have become a cause of suffering.

This mornings beautiful six-legged bee

Now she has become a corpse.

Thinking about these shifts in appearance,

I feel sad and distressed.

I am in a state of confusion.

I am in a state of trouble.

My mind and body are shaking.

The sudden Lord of Death, a monster,

Has come to her first;

When will it come to me?

O lam! O lama! The Golden Bee suffers.

May I be blessed by the Lama

To turn my mind towards the Dharma!

Through his intense grief, he uttered many cries of

lamentation, unable to endure it any longer; he headed

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towards high Lotus Mountain. Flying among the leaves, he

passed the turquoise-colored incense tree adorned with

many dewdrops, close to the place where the saint Khyeu

Pema Gyespa lived. Hovering around, he sang a song of

lament:

Oh my! The charming flower garden

Now is depressing and the city of illusory suffering.

The five attractive sensual objects of material wealth

Attract me no longer since they are conditioned suffering.

Charming beloved, my life-long partner

Is no longer desirable since she has become a rotten

corpse.

I confide only in the Triple Gem;

I think of only the divine Dharma.

Quickly, quickly, I will enter the Dharma path.

What is the use of a house if its collapses

No matter how well one builds it?

What is the use of wealth if it is exhausted

No matter how much one accumulates?

What is the use of family if they leave

No matter how close they are?

What is the use of power if it falls

No matter how high ones position is?

What use is obsession to this life

If whoever is born dies?

My loving partner, related through karma,

Has perhaps now reached the intermediate state,

There is nothing to rely upon when one dies

Other than the divine Dharma.

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If one has not practiced the beneficial divine Dharma,

Ones wealth cannot buy help

No matter how rich one may be.

Ones entourage can not bring her back

No matter how many minions one has.

One cannot buy a friend

No matter how charming one may be.

One cannot send the gift of positive karma.

There is no procrastination when dealing with

Laws of the Lord of Death.

There is no benefit in hearing the Dharma

If it is left without practice.

There is no benefit in owning a farmland

That is left uncultivated.

There is no benefit in having a stallion

That is left unmounted.

Now, by remembering that everything

Is without essence,

Spend the rest of your life in the practice of divine Dharma.

I will neither think of enemies nor try to overcome them.

I will neither think of relatives nor serve and support them.

I will neither think of wealth nor have time to accumulate it.

I will neither think of leaders nor flatter them.

I will neither think of friends nor take an interest in their

affection.

I will neither think of clothes nor seek soft and warmth in

them.

I will neither think of food nor seek tasty sweet food.

I will neither think of residences nor own a house or

buildings.

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I will not think of this life since the appearances of this life

are devils.

I will not think of anything since all delusive appearances are

enemies.

Resting openly in the non-conceptual state,

Relaxing the mind in non-discursive meditative equipoise

Meeting the Dharmakaya in a non-meditative state

A hermit who dwells in the mountain is happy.

Released from the grasp of delusive appearances

Not many conceptual thoughts arise.

Free from abandonment and adoption,

One does not pretend anything.

Released from the force of expectations and doubt,

One becomes free from craving and desire.

Such a being, who is freed from illusion,

Is truly at peace.

His mind is unmodified as such, the ordinary mind.

His hair is unmodified in the matted style of meditators.

His behavior is unmodified, aimless and spontaneous.

A yogi who has abandoned artificiality is at peace.

Due to the heat increase from psychic insight

One is comfortable in nakedness.

Due to having trained in concentration

One is at ease even without food.

Due to the realization of self-awareness

One is calm even when without clothes.

A great ascetic who has trained in the path

And who has attained its reward is at peace.

Due to relentless effort there is interest in hard practice.

Due to being able to maintain the vows

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One can stay alone.

A sage, who practices asceticism,

And lives on stones and water for food and drink,

Is at peace.

Whoever behaves according to the Dharma finds peace.

Whoever craves this life feels pain.

Happiness always exists in the solitary mountains;

Sorrow always resides in the city of Samsara.

There is eternal satisfaction for whomever relies upon the

Triple Gem.

There is always deception for those who rely upon fame and

gain.

I have offered enough to high-level officials.

I cant offer any more; leave them alone!

I have given enough charity to low-level servants.

I cant give anything more; leave them alone!

I have supported enough relatives in between.

I cant support them any more; leave them alone!

I have clashed enough with my bitter enemies.

I cant challenge them any more; leave them alone!

I have sowed enough in the fields.

I cant sow any more; leave them uncultivated!

I have stayed enough in buildings; I cant stay any longer,

Better to find an isolated mountain!

I have eaten enough food. I cant eat any more;

Better to rely on the practice of asceticism.

I have worn enough clothes. I cant wear them any longer,

Better to go naked.

Now do, now do, only divine Dharma practice.

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Now practice, now practice, practice the Dharma,

Which benefits at the time of death.

This is the promise, May the divine beings heed this.

This is the commitment and my mind is the witness.

When he had uttered this saint Kyeu Pema Gyespa thought:

Although this Golden Bee had true faith in the Dharma

before, firm in all kinds of activities, and also had good moral

discipline, this time he is influenced by circumstances. His

sudden desire for renunciation may not have any stable

foundation in the long run. Then in order to test him, he said:

Hello! My dear hearts friend,

Why is it that you are singing this melancholy song alone?

Even though your karmic life partner has been

Suddenly trapped by the Lord of Death.

Dont worry! Rather, generate strength in your mind.

This foundation of divine Dharma is excellence

In worldly affairs;

Worldly affairs are the happiness of Samsara.

What is the function of Dharma if you dont

Desire happiness?

Practicing Dharma is also

Wishing for happiness.

You will not be deprived of a friend

Even if one friend dies;

There isnt such a Samsaric example of

Death bringing helplessness.

The alternation of joy and sadness

Is the law of nature, but still you will experience

Delightful moments one hundred fold.

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The sudden thought of renunciation is

A devils spell;

Dont you know that there is no basis for it?

The temporary appearance of faith is a

Fleeting idea of the mind; dont you know

That it has no certainty in the future?

It is pointless to be so generous

Without thinking properly;

Dont you know that it wont bear any results?

A sudden tragic situation is only

A transitory and momentary appearance;

Dont you know that it has no benefits or drawback?

The union of politics and Dharma is

The achievement of scholars;

Dont you know that it is a path to liberation?

Taking sensual desire into the path is

The skillful means of Tantra;

Dont you know that it is a short route?

Holding the status of a king is the practice of Bodhisattvas;

Dont you know that it provides the means

Of welfare for migratory beings?

Those who have accumulated wealth can be generous;

Dont you know that this includes all Six Perfections?

You should recognize that making many promises

Without firm resolve ultimately leads to many contradictions.

Be careful, the practice of asceticism without

Perseverance will ultimately generate wrong views.

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Be careful, your renunciation of Samsara

Without a future plan will ultimately cause a loss of identity.

Be careful, staying a mountain retreat

Without generating firm concentration will ultimately

Be a source of disappointment.

Be careful, moving to wild cemetery grounds

Without realization of the view will ultimately

Lead to the influence of evil spirits.

Be careful, making a fasting retreat without

Attaining asceticism will ultimately lead to

Being reborn in the hell realms.

Be careful, changing clothes without transforming

The mind will lead others to ridicule you.

Be careful, thinking various thoughts without

Proper investigation will ultimately become a cause for

regret.

Be careful, engaging in many activities

Without persevering at one of them will ultimately

Lead to failure in all.

Be careful, claiming clairvoyance without attaining

The path of seeing41

will ultimately become a cause

Of deception for oneself and others.

Be careful, working for the welfare of sentient beings

Without training in compassion will ultimately

Become a cause of frustration.

Without thorough and proper examination,

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It is improper to say whatever thought arises in the mind.

It is improper to do whatever one has said.

It is important not to lose that which has been grasped.

It is important not to let go of what has been caught.

It is important not to tell a lie when you are talking.

Golden Bee, keep this advice at the center of your mind.

This is the heart advice of calm and relaxed Pema Gyespa.

Dont mind me since this is the experience of my own mind.

Dont scold me since they are my deep and loving words.

Bear them in mind and analyze them because they are the

truth.

These words slightly displease the Golden Bee, so he

replied:

Amazing! In the midst of the solitary forest

Brahmin boy remains so relaxed.

Pema Gyespa blooms delightfully,

Your consolation to this tiny lonely bee

Is indeed a show of enduring friendship.

To give secret advice to this mournfully singing

Gossamer winged bee is a sign of

a trustworthy friend.

It is kind to offer consolation to a Golden Bee

Tormented by suffering.

It is wonderful that your speech contains good

And meaningful things related to both politics and Dharma.

I, the small bee, who has generated despair for the

Samsaric deeds,

Have remained close to the earlier Holy Noble Being

And focus my mind on the divine Dharma.

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The promise of practice is engraved on my heart.

I swear that it is not just a sudden impulse.

I keep the solitary forest in my heart and

The biographies of holy masters in my mind.

I swear that it is not just a childish act.

I have mainly focused on the Triple Gem,

Always carrying the kind Guru above my head.

I swear that there is not any mistake in the object of my

focus.

I have shown a large heart towards treacherous enemies

And have maintained stable and long-lasting relations

With loving relatives.

I swear that I dont indulge in fierce anger and disputes.

I have made offerings to the Triple Gem.

I have given charity to poor and destitute creatures.

I swear that I did not give charity or offer fruitlessly.

I have hidden my own knowledge deep within

And proclaimed and displayed others knowledge.

I swear that I have never been proud.

The Lord of Death suddenly trapped my

Life-long partner.

Today, I have directly seen impermanence.

I have generated renunciation and despair towards

Samsaric activities from the depths of my heart.

I swear that my words are not hypocriticial or deceptive.

I have engraved the promise on my heart.

I have implemented the practice with joyous effort.

I swear that there is no falsity in my speech.

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Dear hearts friend, great priest Pema Gyespa,

You have met the lama, the true manifestation of Buddha.

Do you possess the profound instructions?

You have studied and contemplated the nonsectarian

school.

Have you been able to comprehend the meaning of the

words?

You have practiced the Dharma in a solitary place.

Have you been able to attain genuine realization?

You sang a happy song of realization near the mountain cliff.

Have you been able to increase your skill of meditative

realization?

You have freely done whatever you pleased.

Have you been able to actualize the equal taste of all

phenomena?

You have watched the drama of Samsaric activities.

Have you been able to generate the feeling of despair

From the depths of your being?

Please say something which is in harmony with the Dharma,

Sing something which accords with the path,

Give an example, which shows impermanence,

Belittles the activities of the city of Samsara,

Proclaim the good qualities of the path to liberation,

And praise the solitary mountain.

I, the small Golden Bee, have made my residence on the

solitary mountain

And maintained my affection towards the divine dharma and

friends.

I am watching the show in my mind and

Make meaningful discussion with you.

So, please speak openly and dont hide anything.

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Hearing this, the great saint Pema Gyespa also reflected:

This Golden Bee is well-disciplined and trustworthy; he has

endurance and self-confidence. He is slightly different from

other ordinary beings who change their minds frequently.

However from what he has said now, it seems he has some

faith in the Dharma. Therefore, I should say something that

accords with his mind. Then he said:

Oh! Listen, beloved hearts friend,

Small Golden Bee, Airy Lotus Petal

You have entrusted yourself to the Triple Gem and

Generated firm belief in the holy Dharma.

Your saddened mind, full of immediate renunciation

As well as your interest in Dharma practice are signs that

Strong prayers have already been made in previous

lifetimes.

Understanding all phenomena as impermanent and illusory,

Generating sadness in the city of Samsara, discarding evil

Thoughts of the eight worldly Dharmas and your

appreciation towards the solitary

Mountain is a sign of having karmic imprints for practicing

the Dharma.

Potential conscience arises in the object of hearing and

contemplation.

Understanding the profound law of causality and things to

accept and reject

And knowing the practices of holy Bodhisattvas

And finding the gateway and destination of the supreme path

Are all signs of having been guided by the holy protector.

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To you, a fortunate small bee,

I, the disciple of the holy master,

Will explain the teachings of Dharma with

Firm conviction endorsed with an altruistic intention.

Gazing down on the city of cyclic existence

The container world is known as an illusory appearance.

The contained beings are known as full of delusions.

When the container and contained beings gather

Their haste to indulge in negativities

Causes intense suffering, like a fire consuming the forest.

Constantly avoiding the virtuous deed ensures

Pleasure and happiness become as rare as stars at dawn.

Continually indulging in misbehavior results in

Bad times, like fast-moving shadows in a setting sun.

In the middle of the self-grinding mill of hatred is

A hole of passionate desire

Where beings of higher realms have thrown the few big

grains of whatever pleasure they have.

Grinding in this way, they finally land deep in the hell realm.

How the grains exhausted from the top of the mill,

How huge the increasing mass of flour at the bottom,

How subtle the relationship of cause and effect.

In the days of yore in the human world

Towns were joined together and knew no boundaries.

People flew freely back and forth like birds

Abundance and pleasure rivaled even the gods.

The chieftain was a universal king.

The countrys prosperity was distributed by the golden

wheel.42

Its subjects filled the four continents.

The ten wholesome deeds prevailed as the law of the land.

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More humans progressed to the divine realms.

Flower gardens multiplied as the gods increased.

In this degenerate age, towns are surrounded by crumbling

walls.

Small patches of barren earth are used for farming;

Meat and blood are eaten for food.

The leader is the great messenger of hell.

Wealth and prosperity have become a source of disputes

An

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The Lotus Garden-s Play