Timeless Rapture: Inspired Verse from the Shangpa Masters

Padma Kamala-ya Tram
Offer The Mandala of the Sealed Instruction:
Sublime mandala, exquisitely disposed—
At the center, the sovereign mountain, four continents, and adjacent lands,
Beautiful with the resplendent sun and moon circling round,
Adorned with iron mountains beyond and dancing seas between.
Jewels, wish-fulfilling trees, and bountiful cattle;
Seven royal articles, with the precious treasure vase the eighth;
Effortless harvests, water of eight qualities,
Inconceivable clouds of outer, inner, and secret offerings—
This adept, who wishes to achieve the two goals,
Offers with enthusiasm
This delightful and appealing mandala
To you, ocean of masters, deities, and victors.
This adept, descendant of all buddhas,
Offers you this fine and pleasing mandala:
May my mass of faults, errors, and impurities be cleared away,
And may you grant me common and sublime accomplishment.
Recite the common confession, as follows:
A Sea of Blessings 41
I take refuge in the Three Jewels.
I acknowledge each of my negative, unvirtuous acts.
I rejoice in beings’ virtue.
I have confidence in Buddha’s awakening.
Until awakening, I take refuge
In Buddha, his Teaching, and the sublime Community.
I engender the mind of awakening
To perfectly accomplish my own and others’ welfare.
Having developed this sublime mind of awakening,
I will serve all sentient beings.
May I exemplify the inspiring supreme conduct conducive to awakening
And attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.