Other translations:

Eight Authentic Things

There is no other buddha apart from your own mind,
There is no faster path to travel than nadi and prana.

There is no friend who can protect you like the Three Jewels do,
There's no experience that's better than bliss-emptiness.

No one's kindness is a match for the kindness of the lord,
Everyone has devotion to him, they hold him on their crown.

Put his instructions into practice unmistakenly,
And you'll find that in your mindstream, you have certainty.

Then when you find realization is shining from within,
That's a sign the teachings of the lineage have hit their mark in you.

When you have cut through all of your doubts, and done this for yourself,
Then all of a sudden you'll be so confident—you'll see you're doing well.

When you have pure love in your heart going out to everyone,
That's when you'll hold all sentient beings in your great compassion.

And when you see your father guru as Buddha himself,
Then naturally waves of his blessings will flow right into you.

This has been a song of couplets, and now that it's done,
Have you understood its meaning? Think carefully, my son.

And if you've understood what I've sung, then this was a Dharma song,
If not it was just a little ditty, where my voice went up and down.

Rechung, son, how are you doing? Are you feeling well?
Your old man feels so fantastic, {I'm as happy as can be.} x 3


Sung by Milarepa to Rechungpa in reply to his former song "Five definitions".

 

Under the guidance of Dechen Rangdrol (Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche), translated by Ari Goldfield, Tekchen Kyetsal, Tenerife, Spain, April 29, 2003. Translation copyright 2012, Ari Goldfield.