A Prayer of Aspiration that Condenses the Diamond Words of Oral Instructions of the Past Masters

Sole unfailing and perpetual refuge, Lord of all,
Most precious and kind Root Guru, hold me with compassion.
Who ignores death by pursuing the aims for this life,
And squanders the freedoms and endowments.

This fleeting human life, like a dream,
If happy that's fine, if unhappy that's fine.
Without concern for happiness or sorrow,
May I earnestly practice the Holy Teachings.

This mortal existence, like a candle in the wind,
If lived long that's fine, if short that's fine.
Discarding, like hay, the eight worldly concerns,
May I earnestly practice the Holy Teachings.

These intellectual analyses, like the lure of a mirage,
If corresponding that's fine, if not that's fine.
Discarding, like hay, the eight wordly concerns,
May I earnestly practice the Holy Teachings.

This entourage, like a flock of birds in a tree,
If assembled that's fine, if scattered that's fine.
By tying my nose-rope on my own head,
May I earnestly practice the Holy Teachings.

This illusory body, like a house which rots within 100 years,
If survive that's fine, if collapsed that's fine.
Without becoming obsessed by food, clothes and medicine,
May I earnestly practice the Holy Teachings.

These religious positions, like a child's game,
If upheld that's fine, if dropped that's fine.
Without deceiving myself with numerous diversions,
May I earnestly practice the Holy teachings.

These gods and demons, like reflections in a mirror,
If helpful that's fine, if harmful that's fine.
Without perceiving my own hallucinations as enemies,
May I earnestly practice the Holy Teachings.

This delusive talk, like a trackless echo,
If pleasing that's fine, if unpleasant that's fine.
Taking the Three Jewels and my own mind as witness,
May I earnestly practice the Holy Teachings.