King Gesar: The Complete Epic (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Jampel Gyatso, edited by Wei Wu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The boy heard the words of the Raksha minister and replied without hesitation, "Of course there are. I have thirty kinds of gifts: in terms of teachings, there are the Six Syllable Mantra; in terms of the path, there are the Six Perfections; externally, there are the six objective realms; internally, there are the six subjective cognitions; and in the middle, there are the six sense doors. Do you think these can serve as an audience gift?" The Raksha minister saw that the boy spoke to him without the slightest fear, and instead showed a dignified and righteous demeanor, which displeased him greatly. "To pay homage to the sacred Mount Zha Ri, you must rely on the nine-jointed vine staff! To traverse the of Jia Guo, you must offer silver ingots. What are your gifts worth, after all?" "They are not small, for although the body is only as long as an arrow, it is a precious human life. They are not large, either, for if one thinks properly, it is an endless source of wealth and sustenance in this and future lives, granting whatever one desires—it is a rare and wondrous jewel. But if one does not think properly, it is the foundation of the three poisons' cycle (Note 10), the root of joy and sorrow, and a bag filled with filth and impurities." "Very well, wait here. I will go and report to the king." The Raksha minister had no further words and had to enter the palace to report. The Master Padmasambhava is the Buddha of Longevity. To save sentient beings and propagate the Dharma, he can transform into different forms according to different needs. To teach the fierce Rakshasas, he took the form of a formidable figure and came to the Isle of Ox-Tail, where he was known as King Padma Dorje. At this moment, he sat on a throne adorned with luxurious and neatly arranged cushions, embellished with gold, his eyes slightly closed, meditating on the significance of the Dharma-nature for people. He knew clearly what was happening outside, the conversation between Rechagorje and the boy. However, when Rechagorje entered, he pretended not to know and asked, "Hey, who was singing unpleasant songs and speaking meaningless words this morning? Was he trying to entrust something important to someone?" The Raksha minister thought to himself, "As the saying goes, 'When the king sits on the throne, his two small eyes can see all directions; the sun moves through the sky, illuminating the world; thick clouds cover the sky, and sweet rain falls on the earth.' If that's the case, the king already knows everything, yet he still asks me to answer his question honestly: 'O mighty king of all, at the entrance of the compassionate hall in the outer city of Deqingbengzhuang Chamu in Raksha City, there is a child who is neither human nor demon. If you say he's not a god, he has a halo of white light around his back; if you say he's a god, he looks like a Raksha child. He says he has a great task to benefit all sentient beings and will report to you.'" "Oh, well done!" King Padma Dorje's face broke into a smile. "As the saying goes, 'For a guide, the master, as long as his followers repent, is happier than if they offered a hundred kinds of cloth; for a ruler, as long as his people are loyal, is happier than if they presented a hundred kinds of gifts; for a leader of blessed endeavors, seeing auspicious signs is happier than gaining a hundred kinds of treasures.' Today is a lucky day, and this is an auspicious omen. Go and proclaim: 'In the land of the divine dragon and the eight divisions (Note 11), all people, whoever they may be, may come here immediately!' When the Raksha minister came out of the palace gate, where was the boy's shadow? Where the boy had stood, there was only a golden lotus with eight petals, and on the center of the lotus, there was a white...