Nectar of the Heart

Nectar of the Heart

An Experiential Song of Parting from the Four Attachments

by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Through the blessings of the noble Guru Mañjughoṣa,
May all beings throughout the universe practise the sacred Dharma,
Progress along the way, and overcome confusions on the path,
And may all deluded perceptions arise as all-pervading space!

Although we have gained this rare support, the freedoms and advantages so hard to find,
If we are attached to this life, we are not sincere practitioners of Dharma,
And since things last but a moment and are bound to be destroyed,
Let us exert ourselves in practising virtue and avoiding harm.

Although our minds may be turned towards the sacred Dharma,
If we are attached to the three realms of saṃsāra we lack renunciation.
So let us develop a genuine and uncontrived wish to escape
From this cycle of existence, which is by its nature suffering.

Although we might pursue mere peace and happiness for ourselves,
If we are attached to our own self-interest, we lack bodhicitta.
So, since all beings have been our kind mothers and fathers,
Let us train our minds in love, compassion and bodhicitta.

Although we might be well trained in relative bodhicitta,
If there is grasping in our perception, it means we lack the view.
Therefore, in order that we may cut through the view of self,
Let us rest in all-pervading space, beyond conceptual constructs.

Through the merit of this spontaneous song of whatever came to mind,
Gathering and distilling the advice given by the venerable Mañjughoṣa
To the glorious and benevolent one, the great Kunga Nyingpo,
May all sentient beings, my past mothers, swiftly attain awakening!

This was written by the carefree wanderer Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo in the Dharma centre of glorious Sakya, the source of plentiful precious qualities, in the very place where noble Mañjughoṣa appeared to the great Sakyapa Lama and bestowed this teaching, the cave of Rangjung Dorje’i Drak.

Sarva maṅgalam! May virtue abound!

| Translated by Adam Pearcey, 2007.

Bibliography

Tibetan Edition

mkhyen brtse'i dbang po. "blo sbyong zhen pa bzhi bral gyi nyams dbyangs snying gi bdud rtsi." In blo gter dbang po (ed.). rgyud sde kun btus/ glog klad par ma/. Kathmandu: Sachen International, Guru Lama, [2004]. Vol. 23: 782.

Version: 1.5-20230214