The Song of Mahamudra
by Tilopa
Mahamudra is beyond all words and symbols,
but for you, Naropa, earnest and loyal, must this be said:
The void needs no reliance; Mahamudra rests on naught.
Without making an effort, but remaining natural,
one can break the yoke -- thus gaining liberation.
If one sees naught when staring into space;
if with the mind one then observes the mind,
one destroys distinctions and reaches buddhahood.
The clouds that wander through the sky have no roots, no home;
nor do the distinctive thoughts floating through the mind.
Once the self-mind is seen, discrimination stops.
In space shapes and colors form, but neither by black nor white
is space tinged. From the self-mind all things emerge,
The mind by virtues and by vices is not stained.
The darkness of ages cannot shroud the glowing sun;
the long kalpas of samsara ne'er can hide the mind's brilliant light.
Though words are spoken to explain the void, the void as such
can never be expressed. Though we say "the mind is a bright light,"
it is beyond all words and symbols. Although the Mind is void
in essence,
all things it embraces and contains.
Do naught with the body but relax; shut firm the mouth and silent remain;
empty your mind and think of naught. Like a hollow bamboo, rest
at ease
your body.
Giving not nor taking, put your mind at rest. Mahamudra is like
a mind
that clings to naught. Thus practicing, in time you will reach
buddhahood.
The practice of mantra and paramita, instruction in the sutras and
precepts, and teaching from the schools and scriptures, will not bring
realization of the innate truth. For if the mind when filled
with some desire
should seek a goal, it only hides the light.
One who keeps the tantric precepts, yet discriminates,
betrays the vows of samaya (awakening). Cease all activity,
abandon all desire; let thoughts rise and fall
as they will like the ocean waves.
One who never harms the non-abiding, nor the principle
of non-distinction, upholds the tantric precepts.
One who abandons craving and clings not to this or that,
perceives the real meaning given in the scriptures.
In Mahamudra all one's sins are burned; in Mahamudra one is released
from the prison of this world. This is the dharma's supreme torch.
Those who disbelieve it are fools who ever wallow in misery and sorrow.
To strive for liberation one should rely on a guru. When your mind receives
his blessing emancipation is at hand.
Alas, all things in this world are meaningless, they are but sorrow's
seeds.
Small teachings lead to acts -- one should only follow teachings that
are
great.
To transcend duality is the kingly view.
To conquer distractions is the royal practice.
The path of no-practice is the way of the buddhas.
One who treads that path reaches buddhahood.
Transient is this world; like phantoms and dreams, substance it has
none.
Renounce it and forsake your kin, cut the strings of lust and hatred,
meditate in woods and mountains.
If without effort you remain loosely in the natural state,
soon Mahamudra you will win and attain the non-attainment.
Cut the root of the tree and the leaves will wither;
cut the root of your mind and samsara falls.
The light of any lamp dispels in a moment
the darkness of long kalpas;
the strong light of the Mind in but a flash
will bum the veil of ignorance.
Whoever clings to mind sees not the truth of what's beyond the mind.
Whoever strives to practice dharma finds not the truth of beyond-practice.
To know what is beyond both mind and practice one should cut cleanly
through the root of the mind and stare naked. One should thus
break away
from all distinctions and remain at ease.
One should not give or take, but remain natural -- for Mahamudra is
beyond all
acceptance and rejection. Since alaya (consciousness) is not
born, no one can
obstruct it or soil it; staying in the unborn realm all appearance
will dissolve into
dharmata (the ultimate dharma), and self-will and pride will vanish
into naught.
The supreme understanding transcends all this and that.
The supreme action embraces great resourcefulness without attachment.
The supreme accomplishment is to realize immanence without hope.
At first a yogi feels his mind is tumbling like a waterfall; in mid-course,
like the Ganges, it flows on slow and gentle; in the end, it is a great
vast ocean
where the lights of child and mother merge in one.