MARCH-APRIL 1999

The student asked, "What do you need?" and his lama replied,
"From samsaric existence’s illusory ocean
I need the illusory jewel of equality
From samsara and nirvana’s appearance emptiness nondual
I need samadhi in appearance emptiness illusion!

"From the dharmadhatu of myself and others’ equality
I need the reflection of the moon’s bright clarity
And as for the many other things I need
They are all perfectly complete in equality’s expanse!
I, Sherab Lodrö, send this off to you," and then the student supplicated his lama like this:

I think of you my father, my lama oh so kind
You are the very essence of all that’s precious and sublime
And this wisdom cutting through the true nature’s base and root
Is your kindness, your loving kindness
I remember you, lord and master, lama I remember you
Grant your blessings that I might seize the fortress of mind!

In this great ocean of appearances without center or end
Thoughts are like the nagas dancing up a torrent of waves
Equality’s primordial jewel makes it all so beautiful
Peerless lama, your kindness has allowed me to find this!
Grant your blessings that by joining what I’ve heard with reflection and with meditation
Experience and realization will reach their highest point!

Thoughts of samsara and nirvana are primordially peace
Appearances alive in motion within great emptiness
Appearing empty illusion’s clarity’s always present
Peerless lama, your kindness has allowed me to find this!
Grant your blessings that by joining what I’ve heard with reflection and with meditation
Experience and realization will reach their highest point!

When object and subject’s waves are at peace in the expanse
The face of dharmata shines in its flawless clarity
Self and other completely within dharmadhatu
Peerless lama, your kindness has allowed me to find this!
Grant your blessings that by joining what I’ve heard with reflection and with meditation
Experience and realization will reach their highest point!

Under the guidance of Dzogchen Pönlop, Rinpoche, translated by Ari Goldfield, April 28, 1999. Translation copyright 2012, Ari Goldfield.