By Geshe Langri Thangpa (1054-1123)
1. With an intention to accomplish the supreme purpose,
Greater than a wish-fulfilling jewel,
For all sentient beings,
May I always cherish them.
2. Whenever I accompany anybody
I will consider myself as the most inferior of all,
And from the bottom of my heart,
May I hold others with supreme respect.
3. I need to examine all my conduct
And as soon as afflictive emotions arise,
Which harm myself and others,
May I avert them with the means of powerful confrontation.
4. Whenever I see unwholesome-natured beings
Who are tormented by intense suffering and non-virtuous actions,
It is like finding a precious treasure;
May I hold such rare ones dearly.
5. When others through their jealousy
Inappropriately abuse and denigrate me and so forth,
May I embrace defeat to myself
And offer victory to them.
6. When someone whom I have benefited,
With great expectation of return
Does extremely inappropriate harm to me
May I consider them as my excellent master.
7. In brief, directly or indirectly, may I offer
Benefit and happiness to all motherly beings,
And may I secretly take upon myself
All the harm and suffering of motherly beings.
8. All these practices should not be
Stained by the eight worldly concerns,
And by realizing all phenomena as illusion,
Without attachment, may I be liberated from bondage.
Translated during the fall session as a class exercise by the Padma Mani Translation Group
