Skip to content

A SONG FROM GUHYAGARBHA TANTRA

Ema, wondrous, the amazing truth,
Secret of every – the awakened ones,
Everything arises from nonarising,
Once arisen, never did they rise.

That I and all the countless sentient beings
Are all awakened since the very first,
In knowing us to be just what we are,
Resolve to be supreme enlightenment.

These two verses from the Guhyagarbha Tantra expresses the most noble of all wishes: the wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings, here expressed from the ultimate angle of being enlightenment, rather than aiming at becoming enlightened.
The first verse expresses the nature of reality: that all things are like reflections in a mirror. The second verse expresses compassion, in a way that transcends duality, for every state of mind that fails to know reality.
These words arose spontaneously from the primordial buddha, Samantabhadra, at the request of his consort and a gathering of billions of others buddhas in countless galaxies, in countless universes. Their request was, “Please manifest, please activate the tantra of words and methods for anyone who doesn’t see the timeless perfection.”
The words are the words of the awakened state and by singing them you grow closer to being what you fundamentally are. With such tremendous inspiration and blessing, this perspective could be the religion for our times, insights which transcends duality and cultural limitations.

Guhyagarbha Tantra is the most famous and important tantric scripture in the Nyingma lineage. For the famous philosopher Mipham Rinpoche’s explanation of this sacred scripture, see Luminous Essence: A Guide to the Guhyagarbha Tantra.

Music & vocals: Tara Karmeshvari
Lyrics: Erik Pema Kunsang
Piano and production: Niels Erichsen