The Cult of Tara

190 MAGIC AND RITUAL IN TIBET
the Practice of Enlightenment; 2
with the first of these verses, our
author adds, "the offerings are augmented into the holy material
of enlightenment":
Truly I make these offerings to the ocean of qualities,
to the Tathagatas and the holy Law,
the three spotless Jewels and the sons of the Buddha,
only that I may grasp the precious thought of enlightenment.
And they continue with the offerings, "contemplating the meaning
in their hearts":
However many flowers and fruits there are,
whatever sorts of healing herbs there are,
however many precious things there are in the world:
the clear pleasing waters,
the mountains of precious jewels,
the forests in sweet solitude,
the vines adorned with ornaments of flowers,
the trees whose branches bend with fruit,
and in the realms of the gods, the sweet scents,
the perfumes, wish-granting trees, trees of precious jewels,
the harvest that is gathered without sowing,
and all the ornaments worthy to be offered,
the lakes and ponds adorned with lotus flowers,
resounding with the alluring call of the wild geese:
all these things that belong to no one,
reaching to the very limits of space,
I take with my mind and I offer them
to the Sage, the best of men and his sons.
0 holy place of offering, compassionate ones!
Think of me with love, and accept rny offerings.
1 am but poor and without merit,
I have no other wealth to offer.
0 lord who thinks but of the benefit of others!
Accept what you will for my sake.
To the Conqueror and his sons
ever do I offer up all my body:
highest of beings ! accept me,
with devotion will I be your slave.
And when you have taken me into your hands
1 will fear the world no longer,
I will benefit all beings,
I will pass beyond my former sins
and sin no more hereafter.
In a bathhouse filled with fragrance,
paved with clear shining crystal
and its pleasing pillars ablaze with precious jewels,
there I spread canopies bright with pearls,