Statue of the mahasiddha Saraha
“The cross-eyed fool sees one lamp as two; The vision and the viewer are one”
– Saraha (8th Century CE)
From “Saraha’s Dohakosa: The Royal Song” (translated by Keith Dowman)
Saraha is known as the chief of the Indian Mahasiddhas or “Great Accomplishers”, a prominent master of the Great Seal (Skt. Mahamudra) teachings, and a former incarnation of the Karmapa.
The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa
Heart of the Mahamudra
Song of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa
Manifestation and sound arise from the subtle mental imprints created from thoughts. As a picture in water disappears of its own accord, so false appearances automatically fade away when their lack of reality is understood. Beyond essential reality there is nothing – Such is the insight of the Mahamudra.
When the door of the mind, through which appearances are created, remains unobstructed, unwarped by concepts, then there is no solid reality, just bright light, and we let everything that appears just arrive naturally. Such a practice is the meditation of Mahamudra.
Illusory appearances are born of the belief in a reality. Relying on a constant understanding of their non-reality, we dwell at rest in original spontaneous nature and the space where there is nothing to accomplish is thus reached effortlessly.
Such is the practice of Mahamudra. These three points are the treasure of my heart. Since the yogis who go to the heart of everything are like my own heart, for them I have pronounced these heart-felt words, which cannot be communicated to others.
16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981)
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