Sunday August 1
*
A glimpse to
whence
the leading light of my long day
slight gentle beautiful determined bright one
has made her way
she firmly alone firmly herself
leaving a silent bright affirmation
beneath the open sky
to quietly remind me
that not so far away
for she I we two
our warm and bright future day
and to her then to say to tell
of the cool breeze upon the face
as the wind stirs the trees
upon our precious snow mountain
and the wild cherries hang down
like lustrous dark red pearls within emerald shade
as the leaves softly rustle as if to whisper
of tales of wonder unfolding
in the land of glowing clouds
in the azure blue above
in it's flickering appearance
between their ceaseless dance
And of another hilltop
beneath the mountain sky
where the vast curtain of space
like a wondrous infinite tangkha of radiant blue
stretches it's blessing above
place of learning there
its the Jyekundo Dondrubling beautiful one
of Sakya lineage
as we make our way upon the climb
to our ears comes the sound
of a wheel turning beneath a reverent hand
upon a shaft set
into the mountain stone
within it's depth the mantras spin
upon paper patiently inscribed
round and round it spins
Look beautiful one
its the Dondrubling Dungkhor chapel
and the wheel it spins within
we stand just outside its entrance
as the wind outside
speaks of lonely emptiness
listening to its quiet sound
that transforms to the murmur
of the mountain stream
then breeze among the leaves
then the sound of gentle voices
filled with quiet power
for these mantras are not
as ordinary things
but blessed incantations
of wondrous beings
we step within the door
Within a glow of warmest light
as a fire where friends gather
they look out with wondrous smiles
such kindness in their eyes
for these are the beings summoned by
the ceaseless prayers of Tibetans here
for generations beyond count
Sitata patra radiantly
looks out at us from beneath
umbrella held with outstretched hand
but one of the thousand arms
that she has to help
remove obstacles from before
those who strive along the way
she looks into our eyes
to the depths of our being
as weariness and hardship melt away
she smiles and motions us in
then continues
her gentle petition
for safety and of ease
Amitayus glowing red holds high a wondrous flask
within its depths flows and swirls
gleaming nectar of sustenance
and immortality
he smiles to us and continues on
his prayer for continued life
for all those who struggle
in this world of turmoil
Bhai sajya guru gentle deity
frowns in astute concentration
deity of medicine clad in radiant blue
within his hand the myrobalan
healing substance of wondrous power
satisfied that it will work
he smiles in welcome and continues on
with his heartfelt incantation
that the terrible sufferings
of frail mortal beings
be eased throughout the earth
From the gentle wondrous eight
two are here
they who have returned to earth
again and again
at fearsome risk with endless hope
with daring before the treacherous snares
of illusory existence they long ago escaped
Bodhisattvas they became
for no being would they leave behind
Vajrapani nods to us
with impeccable poise
yet with such gentle kindness
a vajra of power within his hand
Beside him Manjushri clothed
in robes of greenish white
holds a lily pure
he of whom we already know
and in his smile
we see again
an eternal friend
to us and all that lives
Vajrasattva rings his crystal bell
sounding with the purest note
then beams at us in welcome
meditation buddha is he
of dark blue robes
who has summoned countless to immortal peace
since tigers first roamed among the jungles
and grass upon the plain
Yeshe Tsogyel Padmasambhava
here too among the rest
they that steadfastly wandered here
to bring a faith in this rugged land
that gave dignity to all of life
amid forces beyond all understanding
they smile at us in serene delight
as rainbows arc above them
and stars alight over mountaintops
glittering to our inner sight
and step to us with open arms to bid us sit
among these wondrous ones
and those who arrive as from the very walls
to join in the endless swell of prayers
that flow out into space
to bring healing and help
and growth beyond
the place of suffering
A quiet patient time apart
even when not seen
still gentle hearts vision
And so, we share this time together
slight gentle one
as we rest easy
as our plan grows
Lotus blossoms rest
upon the window sill
and so we wait
two as one
we our effort
real and lasting
slight gentle
beautiful one
July 29
* courtesy of A Luminous Diamond (Bright) Crystal Show productions.
reference material for the poem is courtesy of the Footprint Tibet handbook by Gyurme Dorje.