Teachings

Repaying the kindness of my Mother

Written by the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339)

Found in the ruins of Nezang Monastery on Ato Rinpoche’s return.

OM MANI PADME HUM
I prostrate to the Noble Master Chenrezig!

OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH*  

There is nothing to be said more profound than this:  

Dear mother, you protected me lovingly when I was small.
You taught me with love and told me sweet words.
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

You fed me from your mouth and wiped my feces away with your hand.
You picked me up on your lap again and again.
My kind mother wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

The end of birth is surely death.Even powerful humans don’t have the slightest power to remain [forever].
When departing alone, [only] the sacred dharma will [be of] benefit.
[Mykind mothers] wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

The end of collecting is surely loss: even the greediest person will be unable to take anything along.
When departing alone, only the sacred dharma will [be of] benefit.
[My kind mothers] wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

Mother, when you are going to depart alone from here,
I pray that you, I, and Chenrezig will meet!
My kind mother wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

I pay homage to lama and protector Manjushri!
Wherever in the three realms the six kinds of beings are born, their birth is of four kinds:
Except for miraculous birth, a body is formed in dependence on a father and a mother.
Due to karmic forces, you conceived and carried me for nine months and ten days.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

When the life force impelled my embryo to come out,
You suffered the bone-wracking pain of contractions.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

When I was born your body became covered with blood, lymph, pus, and milk.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

When my skin and bones were feeble and not fully formed, You picked me up with gentle hands.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

When I had mucous in my eyes, nose or mouth, You cleaned it with your soft tongue.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

Even when my specks of feces got into your mouth, You were not disgusted.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

You always held me tight, like in the gentle warmth of your belly.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

When sleep rendered us unconscious at night, I would interrupt your sleep many times.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

You took me on your lap and cuddled me.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

You cheered me up and made me so happy.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

Whenever I was wriggling and crying, you tirelessly gave me your breast to suck.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

When my eyes were tightly closed by sleep, You swiftly protected me from heat and cold.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

When I crawled on all fours like an animal, You taught me how to walk on my feet.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

When I was three years old, You kept an eye on me wherever I went.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

When I was five years old, You showed me how to dress myself properly.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

When I was ten years old, You taught me how to understand and decide things.
My kind mothers wandering in the three samsaric realms, oh no!
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

Your mind was one-pointedly focused [on my welfare].
My kind mothers wandering in the three pitiful samsaric realms,
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

[Throughout,] you were always calm and fair.
My kind mothers wandering in the three pitiful samsaric realms,
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

You gave your permission when it was time for me to leave.
My kind mothers wandering in the three pitiful samsaric realms,
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

[Because of your love] I became independent after I had left you.
My kind mothers wandering in the three pitiful samsaric realms,
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

If sudden disasters were to carry you off.
My kind mothers wandering in the three pitiful samsaric realms,
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

And you would end up in some unknown place.
My kind mothers wandering in the three pitiful samsaric realms,
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

May our minds become ultimately inseparable.
My kind mothers wandering in the three pitiful samsaric realms,
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

Dear mother, do not be angry when I say this:
My thoughts go to you again and again,
And your kind acts make me weep.
My kind mothers wandering in the three pitiful samsaric realms,
May I guide you on Chenrezig’s path. OM MANI PADME HUM HRIH  

Mother, when it is time for your mind to leave this body,
May you be born in a supremely blissful state and,
Having been born there, may you attain the heart of enlightenment.
Having attained that, may you act for the benefit of all beings.  

Words of vast and deep meaning break my heart.
Vajradhara in the pure realm of Akanishta,
And Pema Jungne** in Ngayab Ling,
Please let the ability to repay the kindness of my mothers
Awaken in me, Palden Karmapa of the Snowy Regions.  

*HRIH is the heart’s seed syllable; it encapsulates the compassionate activity of the bodhisattva.  
**Pema Jungne (Padmasambhava)