Tibetan Poetry

rikpa chen gyi jöpa tsik, dönden gyi ni dzepar gyur

Words spoken by the wise Are made beautiful by their meaning.

mi tse thung ngu di la, dön chen drup par tsön par ja

In this short human life, Strive to accomplish great things.

sherab me na rikpa me, rikpa me na dön kyang me

Without wisdom, there is no knowledge; Without knowledge, there is no meaning.

gewe shenyen dampa dang, jampé yönten rinchen gyi

With a virtuous spiritual friend, And precious qualities of loving-kindness.

trin kar ri wö tse ne, gang ri zi dang bar jung

From the peak of white-cloud mountains, The splendor of snowy peaks blazes forth.

dü kyi gyurwa ma jung war, sampé milam ma nyam shing

Before the changes of time arrive, Let not the dreams of the heart fade.

jampa dang nyingjé sem, drowa kün la khyappar shok

May the mind of love and compassion Pervade all sentient beings.

riwo chenpo thönpö tse, trin dang drelwé dawa zhin

Like the moon free from clouds Atop a great high mountain peak.

sherab chen gyi nyin re zhin, sardu sarpé sheja tsöl

The wise person, day by day, Seeks ever-fresh knowledge.

chuwo tsangpö gyün zhin, jampé sem kyi mi men par

Like the flow of a pure river, With a heart of love, never belittling others.