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Eight Flashing Lances
Namo Ratna Guru!
Oh paragon of beings,
You are the dharmakaya, treasure isle,
The treasure too, sambhogakaya’s myriad forms,
As nirmanakaya you fulfill the needs of wanderers,
Oh precious Lord, I bow respectfully to you.A decisive understanding of true reality,
Without preference for either samsara or nirvana,
Conviction reached, the mind wavers no more,
These are three that render view (1) unhindered,
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky.Cutting through the root, it holds its own ground,
The six consciousnesses are unspoiled by alteration,
Free of the effort of trying to remember what to do,
These are three that make meditation (2) fully free,
Like a lance flashing free in the open sky.Experiences are natural and unhindered,
Fear, depression, and anxiety are nowhere to be found,
Victory is gained over belief in duality,
These are three that render conduct (3) fully free,
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky.Enlightenment’s five dimensions have been there all along—
They directly manifest through experience.
Desire for buddhahood is exhausted,
These are three that make fruition (4) fully free,
Like a lance flashing free in the open sky.Transgressions and downfalls have been pure from the beginning,
Experience is clarity and emptiness without stain,
Self-importance has been dispensed with,
These are three that make sacred commitments (5) fully free,
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky.Wanting for oneself is exhausted,
Love without strife flows in waves,
Undaunted, tireless, unselfish too,
These are three that make compassion (6) fully free,
Like a lance flashing free in the open sky.The muddiness of clinging is clarified,
Causes and conditions shine clearly like reflections,
The subtle art of what and what not to do is mastered,
These are three that make interdependence (7) fully free,
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky.Prayers of aspiration set long ago now awaken,
Whatever is done is of benefit to others,
Performance is effortless and natural,
These three make activity (8) unhindered,
Like a lance flashing free in the open sky.In this well-known place called White Garuda
This small melody tells of eight lances flashing freely (1-8).
Borne on the waves of the excellent guru’s blessings,
It appeared in the mind and now has been put to song.
Under the guidance of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, translated in two separate version by Tony Duff and Jim Scott. These were combined and edited by Ari Goldfield, June 17, 1997.