Sunday July 11
*
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 way to Yalong Dza chu
from Langtang Dolma Lhakhang
South to Chusumdo
thence North through Nang chu valley
across the grasslands of Magar Drokra
Many places of learning
scattered across this rugged land
here and here
each of tradition rare distinct
wondrous places
beneath the mountain sky
Before us Trugu Gonpa of Geluk lineage
on from Nang chu valley to the Tra chu as it flows
to Yalong Dza chu
Thence to Tsatsha Gon
of Karma Kagyu lineage
scion of Milarepa
nettle eating saint
singer of a thousand songs
To arrive at Ringyun Gonpa
Arikdza Gonpa too
these of Nyingma fame
where descendents
of Yeshe Tsogyel Padmasambhava
seek the quiet vast splendor
of unfettered mind
then on Yalong Dza Chu
toward Domda from whence it flows
for it is to Sershul to whence
we make our way
monastery
of Geluk lineage
begun by great Tsongkhapa
from whence
the Dalai Lamas come
for a pageant wondrous and grand
rain retreat festival
where Mountain Gods and Goddesses
Lord Buddha and enlightened beings dance
Look beautiful one
there out across the plains the hills
vast beneath the mountain sky
untrammeled uncluttered
there's a procession coming
to our ears comes the sound
reverberating sonorous intense
of tunchen
a dozen feet long are they
giant telescopic horns
played by monks who from one breath
to the next must switch
for none could sustain such a note for long
so skillful they that not one break
is heard in the swelling sound
Behind them come players of gyalins
oboes of wood and brass
as drums and cymbals beat
to mark the way
for red and ochre figures
as upon the litter the Rinpoche
precious one incarnate lama
and the entourage arrives
around them thousand upon thousand
nomads of the Khampa plains
arrive for the spectacle soon to come
At courtyard with columns of red and gold
drummers sit all in a row
their azure painted drums
on staffs above their heads
to strike upon delivery of sacred line
with sticks long curved graceful
above them like wood bows
The players then appear
in great masks to inspire
awe terror and wonder
above their swirling robes
Deities their faces ringed with skulls
symbols of impermanent existence
or suffused with gentle benevolence
range across the space
before the rapt
enchanted gaze
of festival goers everyone
Some brandish the phurba
three blade dagger
symbol of the knowledge of within
others the swords to cut the fetters
of illusory existence
And some make gestures so long known
to the crowd
the newcomers simply must bow
to listen to whispered exclamation
of festival goer here
Then Atsara divine clowns appear
to bring ease and amusement
delivering pithy sayings
and raucous epithets
to recount human faults and foibles
divine wisdom transported
between waves of hilarity
Through all this
the horns blow long and loud
the cymbals clash
the drums beat
the chants go on and on
Lama Rinpoche the Khenpo abbots
monks and festival goers
all add to the wondrous din
sound generous beneficent
that seeks the benefit of all that lives
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 8
* courtesy of A Luminous Diamond (Bright) Crystal Show productions.
reference material for the poem is courtesy of the Footprint Tibet handbook by Gyurme Dorje.