Compassionate master of noble heart, the essence of Akshobhya,
As you, Oh Marpa the Translator, have so rightfully foretold,
In the prison yard of mara, this demon of father land,
I've come to know impermanence, the master illusionist;
What an excellent teacher he is, his message leaves no doubt!

Phenomena of every kind, appearing to exist,
They cannot last, cannot stand their ground, they change and go their way.
Especially samsaric phenomena have no substantial core;
Because the deeds I have done before have lacked substantial pith,
I'm going now to practice Dharma; that has substantial pith.

At first, the father was alive, but I, the son, was not;
By the time the son was on his feet, the father was no more.
But even when they were both alive, they had no substantial pith;
I, the son, choose sacred Dharma with its substantial pith—
I'm going now to meditate at White Rock Horse Tooth Cave.

At the time the mother was around, then I, the son, was gone;
By the time that I, the son, came back, the mother'd grown old and died.
But even when they were both around, they had no substantial pith;
I, the son, choose sacred Dharma with its substantial pith—
I'm going now to meditate at White Rock Horse Tooth Cave.

At the time the sister was around, the brother was nowhere near;
By the time the brother had come back, the sister had gone—but where?
But even when they were both around, they had no substantial pith;
The brother chooses sacred Dharma with its substantial pith—
I'm going now to meditate at White Rock Horse Tooth Cave.

At the time we had some dharma things, no caretaker was around;
By the time the caretaker had come back, they were spoiled by a leaking roof.
But even when they were both around, they had no substantial pith;
Their keeper chooses sacred Dharma with its substantial pith—
I'm going now to meditate at White Rock Horse Tooth Cave.

At the time there was a house to own, the owner was nowhere near;
By the time the owner had come back, the house was beyond repair.
But even when they were both around, they had no substantial pith;
I, the heir, choose sacred Dharma with its substantial pith—
I'm going now to meditate at White Rock Horse Tooth Cave.

At the time there was a fertile field, the owner was nowhere near;
By the time the owner had come back, it was overgrown with weeds.
But even when they were both around, they had no substantial pith;
I, the heir, choose sacred Dharma with its substantial pith—
I'm going now to meditate at White Rock Horse Tooth Cave.

The fatherland, my father's house, my father's field and all,
Samsaric kind of phenomena without substantial pith.
Whoever wants it, take it, beings without substantial pith;
I, the yogi, am on my way, it's freedom I'll achieve.
Father in your kindness, Marpa Lotsawa,
Grant your blessing that this beggar in mountain retreats will stay.

Under the guidance of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, translated and arranged by Jim Scott, Huba, Poland, June 1995, Tibetan page 133. Translation copyright 2012, Jim Scott