A Song Of Meaningful Connections

At your feet oh Marpa from Lhodrak I bow down
Grant your blessing that this beggar will stay in natural retreats

That you stalwart benefactors are so fondly gathered here
Makes the right connection for fulfilling the two concerns
When this body hard to get that so easily decays
Gets the nourishment it needs it will flourish and be full of health

When the pollen from the flowers growing in the solid ground
And the honeydew of raindrops falling from the deep blue sky
Come together this connection is of benefit to beings
But what gives this link its meaning is when dharma is included too

When a body that's illusion by its parents nursed to life
And the guiding instructions from a lama who's reliable
Come together this connection brings the practice of dharma to life
But what gives this link its meaning is when persevering heart bone beats

When a cave in the rock in a valley with no human being
And someone really practicing without hypocrisy
Come together this connection can fulfill your every need
But what gives this link its meaning is what's known as the emptiness

When a Milarepa's practice of endurance in meditation
And those from the three realms who have the quality of faith
Come together this connection brings about the good of beings
But what gives this link its meaning is compassion in a noble heart

When a skillful meditator meditating in the wilderness
And a skillful benefactor providing the wherewithal
Come together this connection leads to both gaining buddhahood
But what gives this link its meaning is to dedicate the merit

When an excellent lama endowed with compassionate heart
And an excellent student with endurance in meditation
Come together this connection makes the teaching accessible
But what gives this link its meaning is the samaya it brings about

When the gift of abhisheka with its blessing that works so fast
And the fervent trusting prayer where you're praying it will come to you
Come together this connection gets your prayer well-answered soon
But to give this link its meaning a little bit of luck might help

Oh master Vajradhara, the essence of Akshobhya
You know my joys and sorrows — and what this beggar's going through
 

Composed by Milarepa, from the Tibetan text at page 164.

Translated by the Marpa Translation Committee at Cha'n Centre, Tenerife, July 1995. © 1995  Marpa Translation Committee.