1S'l~~ry~l~11 TIBETAN PROVERBS

Compiled by

Lhamo Pemba

LIBRARY OF TIBETAN WORKS AND ARCHIVES

Copyright 1996 Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Dharamsala

First Edition 1996

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permssion of the bearers of copyright.

ISBN: 81-86470-01-8

Published by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala, H. P. (India) and printed at Indraprastha Press (CBT), 4, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002.

DEDICATION

For us, Tibetans who have every right

to preserve what is ours

CONTENTS

1 Dedication iii 2 Foreword vii 3 Publisher's Note lX 4 Introduction xi 5 Tibetan World of Expressions Xlll 6 Tibetan Proverbs and English Translation 1 7 Footnotes 205 8 Glossary 217 9 Acknowledgements 239

THE DALAl LAMA

FORWARD

We Tibetans are in the midst of one of the most turbulent and difficult periods of our history. Our very traditions and customs are threatened in our homeland. Therefore it gives me great pleasure to see tradition preserved in this new collection of Tibetan proverbs.

I am confident that Ms Lhamo Pemba's commend-able efforts in compiling and translating this collection will be enjoyed by many readers around the world interested in Tibetan language and culture.

February 9, 1996

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

So much can be learned about a race of people by studying their use of language. Proverbs in particular open the door to the wis-dom, traditions, attitudes and humour of a community or nation. The pithy descriptions, often including references to everyday

it~ms which evoke a vivid sense of the people's way of life, may also include poetic phrases and amusing word-plays. Besides be-ing informative, therefore, a collection of proverbs such as this one is most enjoyable to read through.

Ms. Lhamo Pemba's excellent work in compiling and translat-ing this book of sayings enables not only Tibetans to benefit from the rich folklore contained within its pages, but also offers non-T~betan readers the opportunity to catch a sense of the spirit of Tibet from the English translations and contextual explanations. We would like to thank Vyvyan Cayley for revising the English language text in the final stages and for her invaluable suggestions and improvements.

Lhamo Pemba's dedication to her culture and people is much appreciated and I am sure that, as a result of her devoted labour, many people are going to derive interest and satisfaction from this book.

Gyatsho Tshering Director

March 1996

INTRODUCTION

As is the case with most countries, Tibetan proverbs were pre-served in the oral tradition; they were never written down to be assimilated like knowledge, but left to the individual to acquire.

Proverbs added an important and colorful hue to the tapestry of Tibetan folklore especially so in the colloquial world of expres-sion.

Most Tibetans know the proverbs of their own district. At home, among their peers and in social gatherings they quoted and repeated proverbs so often that the sayings seemed to seep into their system without much effort. Every piece of advice, sugges-tion and statement had a proverb to make it strike home. It gave whatever they did a common threshold, a wavelength that was shared by many. Indeed, proverbs became a source to learn from, pithy lessons passed down through the ages by word of mouth. The old people quoted them like incantations, parents like a staff of discipline and friends and lovers like a book that teaches one how to be a better person. Everyone who went to court in a village or wanted to stress a point in an argument knew that to have the last word one needed to be able to render the appropiate proverb at the appropriate moment. Armed with such a verbal weapon one would get one what sought from one's adversary-silence and acceptance. This would create a flicker of victory for oneself, especially in front of a judge.

Tibetan proverbs range in subject-matter from the natural elements and the environment to philosophy, rebirth and the samsara Lord Buddha spoke of.

They speak of sages in quest of enlightenment, their lack of funds, their rich patrons and of course of the seductive women who cast their nets of possession as surely as fishermen, and the fate of those who succumbed to their charms.

Some proverbs speak of the origin of places, and why they came to be what they are. Some proverbs offer eulogies about a district's natural landscape, a local fruit or vegetable, or even an accent. Others are disparaged for their loose morals, their stingi-ness, the prevalence of duststorms or the total absence of commonsense.

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Living alongside our heritage of proverbs, Tibetans have learned to appreciate commonsense values and to differentiate between what is just and what is unjust, good and evil, to accept some things and to fight for others, to give and to take, to find happiness in simple things and to shed tears for genuine losses.

For Tibetans, proverbs provide an opportunity to be able to laugh at oneself, to exhibit a spontaneous sense of humour, mak-ing laughter as important as faith.

I am grateful for the opportunity to acquaint myself with these home truths which are old, precious and so far kept alive in an oral tradition, enabling us to gain a valuable insight into the Tibetan psych~t.

Every Tibetan should be given an opportunity to know and to love what is theirs.

I hope these proverbs will enlighten those who are interested in Tibet and the world of Tibetans.

THE TIBET AN WORLD OF EXPRESSIONS

To tum one's back: To express ingratitude where one should behave with sincerity and gratitude.

Black and white: Symbolizes impurity and purity respectively. Expressions like a black dog, a crow and coal personify im-purity. On the other hand, a white dzo, a white felicity scarf, a conch shell represent purity.

To be shove

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was synonymous with the trait of consistency and steadfast-ness. The sheep is considered the animal with the shortest tail and the horse with the longest tail.

A mind like a monkey's: A restless mind prone to too many thoughts.

To arrive at a cannibal's door: To arrive at a place of disaster and death.

Damaru: Refers to a person who is a hypocrite, portraying two different faces.

Donkey's dung: Refers to a person who is like donkey's dung-smooth on the outside, coarse and rough on the inside.

The frog in the well: A narrow-minded person or an ignorant person.

Ladle: A trouble-maker, stirring dissension like a ladle in a home, village or town.

Numbers such as Nine kinds of courage/eighteen-fold etc: Expres-sions of quantity and plurality.

Short handle: A gap between a promise and the deed. Promises that were not carried out were like ladles that possessed short handles which hampered performance and proficiency.

Spherical boulder: An expression referring to a trouble-maker, a misfit. Just like a spherical boulder would upset a wall made of rectangular stones, so did this person.

Cuckoo: The cuckoo is a bird which often features in Tibetan folklore. There are a lot of portents surrounding the cuckoo.

Garuda: A mythical creature with an eagle's head with two horns, human-bird body, two human-like arms, eagle wings and feet. The garuda hatches fully grown from its egg, symboliz-ing the birth of the awakened state of mind. The garuda is the destroyer of serpents. Considered the king of all birds. Symbolises freedom from fear and stands for energy and aspiration.

Fox and wolf: Personify cunning and deceit.

Frogs and toads: Symbols of sin, their ugliness a facet of vice.

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Meditations on purification include a visualization of ugly creatures such as toads, frogs, reptiles, etc., oozing out of one's pores and dissolving into the earth, all representing sin and evil deeds.

Owl: An ill-omened bird. Especially if it enters one's house and cries. Known as the bird of the devil.

Snake: Represents intense hatred and evil.

Snow lion: Known as a creature exclusive to Tibet and its high-land, white with turquoise mane, reputed for its youthful-ness, courage and majestic splendour. The national symbol of Tibet.

Sun: A symbol of benevolence, equanimity and radiance. The sun as depicted in Tibetan culture is always adorned by a throne and parasol, the accessories of kings.

Thunder dragon: Turquoise in colour, it abides in the sky in the summer and hibernates in the ground during the winter. When the dragon wants a rainstorm it causes thunder and lightning. In its paw, it holds the wish-fulfilling jewel. Offers the possessor all he/ she ever desires. A symbol of power, steadfastness and energy.

CHARACTERS IN THE PROVERB

Aku Tonpa: Was from Dhejen near Yungjuk, north of Lhasa. He taught truth through practical jokes. He lived in the tenth century. He was known for enlightening minds with wit and was affectionately called "Uncle" by the Tibetan people.

King Gesar of Ling: Great warrior king, given supernatural at-tributes by bards who sing of his feats for days. Tibet's largest epic recounts his trials and tribulations. Lived between the seventh and eighth centuries A.D.

Lama Orgyen Perna: Is one of the several names of the Tantric Buddhist teacher, Guru Rinpoche. He is also called Perna or Padma Sambhava or Orgyen Rinpoche. He was born in Urgyen (modem Swat) in the eighth century. He introduced Buddhism in Tibet and built the first monastery in Samye, two days journey from Lhasa, in the south-east.

'1l'fl''~r'''o.J'4~'~1 1~~~fiqc.~~~'110;)~1 1 If one knows not one's alphabet One has lived only half a human life

'1l'q'I1J'~~ C!j'o.JCl. ~~ ''-1'0-J'~C!j 1 Insignificance: A blade of grass On a pillar

'1l'q;:z;:q~::::~~C!j~~o.J~ q; qryq1 1 To circumambulate the pillar And bang against the beam (To help one and harm another)

'1l~~~~~~~~~q1 1~q~~~~slll~~~~~~q1 1 Without a tent pole there is no tent Without society there is no achievement'

'11~''-l'lll''lll'o.J~C!j~1 1~1l'~~~'I1J'o.J~C!j~1 1~~C!j''-I'O-l\''ll'o.J~C!j~1 1 The Karmapa's wealth cannot be rivalled The Drikungpa's followers cannot be outnumbered The Drukpa's curse cannot be annihilated1

~~~~'O-l\~''-l'~'al~'-8"q'li:)~1 1 To live in harmony with all Is the essence of morality

ill~ il)q~~ 'C!j~o.J~q~C!j;qlll~1 1~~~'110;)~ 'C!j~o.J~~o.J''-1'~'11~ 1 1 'Tis happier to be blessed With purity of body, speech and mind Than to l:>e owner of horse, sheep and yaks

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i\fsr{l~l"'1 1~q"!&''l~Cll'~1 1 Double taxation: To pay for the skin-boat And yet have to wade through the narrow stream

i1fq~o.~~~.r~lil4~1 1~c:.o.~j"~t.J~~il~~1 1 Glue doesn't stick on dry hide Water doesn't seep into moist millet

i1fc:.:tr~~c:.~~q~~~1 1~~~'l'.ci'~Cll'il~~1 1 When one arrives in 'Lu2 Kongpo He forgets his own home town

i1fc:.:trz::ra.~a.~UI~~c:.1 1o.~~~c:.a.sa.~q~"lil~q1 1 Though the cows of Kongpo look alike They cannot all carry the same weight of butter

~111a.c:.llJ~~~II]urilllils~1 1q~~~~c:.~q~Clii]'~Cl~s~iif~1 1 In times of hardship don't play truant In times of happiness be contented

~llJQ. q~~~~9fll]~:trl:l~t:.c:.~ ~"1~1 1a.~o.~~q~c:. ~ ; ~4l~~~4~1 The times of struggle Will sift the good from the bad friends The mud swamp Will sift the strength from the horses

~11Ja.q~s~lllo.~~~~1 1'l~'EI~~c:.lll~q~~~q1 1 Without climbing the cliff of adversity One cannot arrive at the meadow of happiness

~111a.lll~~q~q~'l~1 1ilTc:.~f~~~~s~l:lryc:.1 1 It's the ladle that does the work But it's the spoon that enjoys the fruit

~11Ja.'llJ~Cl~Q~l:.l~llJ~~c:.1 1o.~~q~ll:.l~~~m1 1 No reward for hard labour

Instead compensation For killing the dzo

~ll]Q.'Clj~f~C1Jf'J~1 )~~~~Clj~~"'1 1 Perseverance comes first Happiness is the dividend

~ll]Q.'Clj~a;Clj~~~~"1 1 A great effort But little fruit

~11JQ,'Clj~c1ilz:J~'J'.p' ~ ~~~z:J~~~urc:.1 1 Where is the fruit That's borne Without exertion?

~11JQ,'Clj~~c:.~~z:J~'J~1 1arc:.~~~~tl;]~z:Jryc:.1 1 Exertion---()ne puts in DividendS---()thers enjoy

~11J~~z:JI)z:J~~~11J~~urc:.1 1~~~z:JI)z:J~~~~~urc:.1 1 Where white is planted, white will be reaped Where black is planted, black will be reaped

~ll]~UfClla;~~c:.~~CllC.~1 1 The bowl may break But its pattern lives in one's mind

~ilf~c1il~'f1~Cllc1il''f1"'z:J~~~"1 1s~J:.l~rs'll".z:Jll]Cf]Cll~~~'-l1 1 There's no choice: But for one to tread the path fate has decreed And to accept a child's control over a dog

~ilf~~~~~~z:J~~c1ilf~~~~ 1 l~~~~~~'Clj''JijC:.'UJt:.'"El 1 If the statue attendant is too zealous in dusting Why! he'll transform the gold statue into one of brass3

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tl10."4~~0l~l~QJ~~~.o-l""1 10li:rjO."Ol"ilfOl~l"lf>I"OlCl.~lf~1 1 An orqer that's useless is sent back to the king A bride that's useless is sent back to her mother's doorstep

tl1a.4qr~tlClJ&~4~ 1 First comes the command And then only, the army

tJI!flr.JCl. "ClJ~ClJ~~Eiz:J~i:Jl1 1l::lClJ"tJCl. ~~::z:. "J,r~~r.J~&ll~ 1 What destiny has decreed One can't turn away The lines upon the forehead Though wiped will stay

tl/!fClJOl4~ur;ry"\~::~;i:ll~l1 1a.~tJ~Ol4~~~"-f"I:.J~l1 1 Knowledge that lacks proper instruction is a waste A field that lacks proper sowing is a waste

tl~4~1:.JCl.~a.r.stJ~::z:.1 l'~l""i:rj"r.JCl.r.;tJ~s-Ol~~ 1 At the site where The dance of auspiciousness is danced Don't dance the dance of ill omen

q~4~1:.Ja.~;a."?!ClJsl~x.1 114l";I:.Ja.~l";q~q1 1 In the abode of auspiciousness The wicked shout out evil things

l::J~QJ~z:;,~l;~a.~~~1 1'lJI:rj"ilfz:;,~l;~q4l1 1 To untie a knot that's superfluous To advise a man who has no ear for listening

ITJ" "I:.J"~"QJ"Ol"~~I:.Jx.1 1'lJ lfQJ~"I:.J~a.~; "Eil::J~~l1 1 Without getting the feet wet How can one's hand catch fish?

ITJ""QJ~~:crx.1 10.fSX.".'~l:cr, 1 Burdensome:

A cargo that's heavy For tiny hands and feet

~~~ur~~~s~1 1~0j~~~~~~4~1 1 Theft is committed by an acquaintance Deceit is committed by a stranger

~a.~Ojt:.~r~~Q'] 1{-~'!]~~a.J~~~l 1 Stupidity: To house the thief at home And to lock the door from outside

~ ~a.~~~a.~~"'l~;o~:;.~Oj 1S"~~Oj ~a;~ 1 1 When one's mind is set on stealing There's no end to finding possessions

~Oj z:;: Q']'~~t;. 'Oj ''!]~:q:~ 1:;.~1 1.t:.Oj ~llfQ']'Oj .o-~a.~Oj 1 1 If a thief and a bandit have to be captured Catch the leader If wild weeds have to be destroyed Pluck them up by the roots

~Oj :tr-Q']UIQ'j'"'l'~Q']Q.1 1fil'a.!'~"'l'~'!]Q.1 1 What a thief wants is a yak What a lama wants is a corpse

~Oj ~~~a.~a.J~w-~~ur~~~:;.1 1~~"l~~ur4~~y0j ur~ 1 1 The thief may possess The miraculous power of stealing But the owner possesses The clairvoyant eye of wisdom

~Oj~~'Q']UI'!]'"'l'~~Oj 1 ]Q']UIQ]'a.!Lif~~ ~Q'j~~ryt:.'] ] It's an arrogant thief That sets about Racing the yak he's stolen

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~~:cr~~t:,~~~~;~;.,lG'')J.l4~1 1 The thief doesn't know Where the Buddha lives

~~ 'J.I'l:l~'J-1~~~ ~') '&J;I;., a,9j 1~') ''J'~') ~~~ ~ ~a,9j 1 It's a clever thief who keeps finding things But finding things too often makes one a thief

~~J.I~a"~~ ~ll]ll') 1 1rsfa"~~ ~a.~"1 1 A desperate thief kills a man A defeated dog'drinks water

~~J.J9~=;~;.,~~~l:l~~&J'')i::.'f5')'~')1 1 To unsheath your knife after The thief has escaped is futile

~~J.IJ.l4;~;.,l;l;')~~1 1~~~J.l~')'&J'')~Cl.1 1 It's better to prevent a theft But once it occurs It's better to let the search be called off

~~'J.I'~'')&J~~&Jil:a5~4~1 1 Even a thief has his Own measure of contentment

~~J.I~')&JCl.'')~')"'1 m"t.1J~~EI~1 1 To credit a thief with courage And to bestow a wolf with life (Miscarriage of justice)

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~~'J.I'~t:.4~J.l9]~~~~')1 1 A thief accustomed to theft Isn't considered a member of human society

~ ~ 'J.I'"}J.I'~~ ~~J.l~ll') 1 1 It's an arrogant thief That steals a man's life

~l:J'[Zl'~tlJ'tlJ'~'~')l lf'~~~tll'tll'~'~')l 1 The anus isn't considered a mouth The damaru isn't considered a drum

~"'fl'')l11.:1\'l:J~"~~~;s~1 1a.s"s~.:t,l;J~"~~~~s~1 1 Capture a wild kyang And make it your trustworthy horse Capture a wild drong And make it your domestic pet

~"~"'tll'~~.:t,~ 1~~"~!;'~a.~t1J1 1 A single wild ass doesn't get water A single man doesn't live life fully

~"~11l4~"1 Jo.!'ffS"'I1l'?f1 1 Although the kyang dies in the south Its head will always face north4

~11l'lf~o.~f!t1J~t1J'~"'~1 l~o.~~~~~l'lf~i~')l 1 'Tis no use storing tsampa In a bag that has a hole

~"1~~"1.:t,~~~o.~s"1 1o.!~~"o.~.:t.~"o.~.:t.o.~~o.~~~1 1 A blackbird Shouldn't make fun of another blackbird For both have red beaks

{~~l""~s~~1 1~o.~~~~~~l:Jl:l"(tlltG""1 1 If one indulges in foul behaviour even in secrecy The day will dawn when the depths of one's lies will surface

~~~~~~~;~~o.~q~~ ~ 1 1~11l:qi1:~~""~.:t, ~~ Ui'll 1 If the fool didn't flaunt his foolishness One would mistake A fool for a prince

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~~~i(\r~~:.~~~s~CJ1 1~"(~~~~~~~,11l~~C)'CJ1 1 A fool who pretends to be clever Will only highlight his own foolishness

~C)'a;'l:I4C)'tJ'~~1 1C)9J'Q,~t:.~'tJ'"~Q,1 1 It is easier to fend off an enemy Than to hold on to a conversation (Attributed to a khampa warrior)

~C)'~t:.'~'"'ll~'~'Uil:.'1 1~~~[5~~~~~1 1 The white snow lion may roar louder But the black guard dog is of more use

~~~~'0.:~:{~1 1~~'l:l'ij~~~t:.'(5"'~C)1 1 A five-karma earring Who cares who wears it?

~~q.:jt:_q~q~~~ar~9f~~~ 1~~~~~~q~~~r~~~1 1 Fortunate friends of Dewachen5 Keep not flowers upon the ground But proffer them to the gods

~~~~~~~t::~iTJC)'tJ'l:l~1 1 Upon one body A hundred commands

~C)'tJ'~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1 14~:.~~:.~~~~~~~~~~~~~ i 1 A single thread doesn't make a cloth A single tree doesn't make a forest

~C)'tJ'~t:.~~~l1J'-=lC)1 ,~a5~t:.~t:.'tJ~'-=l"1 1 A long thread gets exhausted on its path A long life gets squandered on its path

~a.rs~~~~~~tJ~~1 1 To buy a noose For one's own neck

~~lll~~"~~1"l~~r:=_1 1"l~"~lll~r~r:=_~~~lll~1 1 A neck longer than this Will make him a yidag A depth deeper than this Will make it a hell

~"'~~~~~~~"'~~z:rs~Ul"J~~1 1 If you want a neck Accept the goitre that comes with it

~"l~~~~:trlll"-"~~"1 1c:::~~"'~~'JIll"'"s~1 1 One can even backbite A powerful leader One can even ingratiate oneself with A dumb fool to his face

~o.~~~a5"~~a.J'I:q~~1 1~o.~'Q.~o.~s~{lllUl"~{lll1 1 When thirsty, if chang doesn't quench one's thirst Who cares if the earthen pot breaks?

~~'lll'o.!(~l:.l1 1~"'4t=_'(lJ'~cT.I'l:.l1 Settlement: Should beautify the magpie And compliment the pine

~~o.~(~~r:=_o.~~a,o.~~~c:.1 1S'~o.!(~~c;_~~ry~~~~Qf~1 1 Though the magpie be beautiful She can't be your bride Though one's daughter be beautiful She can't do without knowledge

~~c:.~~o.~o.~fla,o.~lllc:.~l:.l;:z:_ 1 1'f-l~~~~~ o.~4;:z:_ ~q~~~ 1 1 Without dawn breaking The sun's benevolence cannot shine

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&~I,J~~~~~~rs~~"1 1~q~~"~~1ff~;~~~~"1 1 When dried shit drowns in water The Deba-shung6 Will send no boat to retrieve it

&~l,Js-~~~"~~~~1 1 Only when you feel shitty Do you think of the shit-house

~~~~~~a:;~o.SfiQ]~1 1~~o.~Qlq~~~~o,~qg~1 1 Lies take shape according to the conversation Promises take shape according to the motivation

~~~~~'i~~~~;~4~1 1~~I,JQ]UIQ]Qlz:Jil]Ql1 1 Lies-the lord speaks Blame-the servant bears

~~~ij:r;f~~~q~~1 1~Q]~~~~~~~o.~~1 1 In times of happiness, to ride horses together In times of sorrow, to carry cargo together

~~~cJJQ],~rQl4~~~~r;.1 1~Q]~~l,JQ]'~Ql~Ql~~~~1 1 Happiness and sunshine Have no fixed time for occurring Sorrow and gloom Have no fixed time for disappearing

~~~Q]~t:_q~~1 1~Q].~Q]~t:_q~Q]0.1 1 Better than long-lived happiness Is short-lived sorrow

&\~Q]~t:_q'CJ:~z:J~;~"1 1~Q].~Q]~t:_q'Q.:f~Qf~1 1 Man needs to know The method that ensures longevity in happiness And the wits to make suffering short-lived

In happiness, don't be arrogant In sorrow, don't be discouraged

m~~~~OJQ~~~~~~ 1 1~~~~F~~ar~~~~Qry"'1 1 In happy times Riding a horse gives a sore bottom In sad times One sings even face down

~~~~~~"'Q~~~ilf~1 1~~~~~"'01~~~ilf~1 1 In happiness, be amicable with all In suffering, be able to overcome on one's own

~~a.~~Cl\~~~~"015~1 1 For the woman who wants happiness Be an old man's bride

~~~~~"tllil) ~"'~~~4~1 1~"~r~~tllil) 'AJ;1~~~4~1 1 Songs speak of one's welfare Accents speak of one's home town

~~~~~~~tiil)=t:ij 1~~-f~~~~tq'Ojl 1 When seeking welfare, approach one's lord When seeking shelter, approach one's parents

~~:~~~~~~~~~~'Ul~'1 1fi'~%~'t.2J'Q~t.2J'Q'~ilf~1 1 Whether it be happiness or sorrow That befalls one One should know equanimity

~\Cl\'Cl\Ol'OlflO.sUl~a.f"~1 1~~~~~~sUl~s-~1 1 In happy times even the birds of the sky flock around you In sad times even your own son departs

~~l:,Ja.~.t:~s~~~1 l~~~a.~~QJ~~El~l 1 Man hopes for happiness, but he never Steps out of the passage of suffering

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~')~ffi'~'llfUjr:~:~a.~~ 1~~~a]'CJ.l~ft:Jryr:::.~r:::.1 1 Happiness even the holy faith possesses not For the lama is a constant trouble-maker

~"~~r:::.~~CJ.ls~~1 1~~~~U~~~~r:::.~~'11 1 Seek happiness for yourself Others will heap unhapp~ss upon you

~'1~4~~1ll~~r:::.1 1~~~"~~~1ll~'CJ.lt:.'1 1 Happiness is longer than a reindeer's hom Sorrows are more numerous than an antelope's sores

~')~'[Q'l:l4')~1 1~~~il;~~~~r:::.1 1 Pleasant conversation Is no help During times of sorrow

~"~~~~~~~J:l')'l:Ja_1 1~~~~~~CJ.l~~~1 1 Happiness isn't doubled But suffering is tripled

~')'CJ.l'~'~CJ.l~~~r:::.~~~}!~~1 1~~'l:Jilt:.'~~~~l:J~'~Ill~J:J')1 1 The unhappiness caused by mental imbalance Cannot be cured even by the best of medicines

~"~~"~r:::.~f;l~CJ.l'~')1 1~~~~CJ.la_'lll~'lll'~'11 1 Whether one is happy or not Depends on one's mind Whether one is warm or not Depends on the sun

~'1~~~~CJ.l~r:::.~~1 1~'1~~'1st:Ja.s'1~4~1 1 If man doesn't experience Happiness and sorrow He will not know the difference between the two

ma:,q~~a:,Uic.~~o:.J~c_~1 1 Even if the debt to be repaid Is water, don't dilute it

~tllS"a:,Uic.~~'a.fi4:r..~~1 1 It may nauseate you But it's your father's bowl

~:r..~tll~Cl,.~C.'o:.J'~~a:,1 1o:.Jc.:r..J:i'Elo:.J~'~~~c_~c_~a:,1 1 Without a taste of tartness All sweetness will be tasteless

~~a:,~~q'Q.4c.t11~t11~1 1l:ll:l~~a:,~~q'Q.stll~tlll:ll:l~1 1 On a tree that sprouts without cause Lands a bird without purpose (Lacking in substance)

~:q:f'o:.JC.'~'l;J~CI)'q'Q,~tll'Uf~1 1 A babbler does speak A word of truth

~:q:c.a:,q:r..~l;Jmc.o;Jc.1 1~~tll'o:.J:r..a.~o:.J~tll~o;Jc.1 1 An evil man has more complaints A polluted stream has more marsh

~~o:.J~~f'a. a.z;_ tll'o:.l1 1 o:.JEfUJl::::J;)~a:, ~~l;J~~tll~'o:.l1 1 When a man's mouth is like kusha grass However highly born he may be He'll only be the broom that's behind one's door

~~q'Q, J;)~'9.1tll~q'Q, 'tll'i]o:.l'~ "f~1 1 s ~q'Q, ~~~~l;Jq'Q, 'o:.JElC:Z. ~ "f~1 1 A man needs fame A task needs fulfilment

~~~~UI.:r..'O.~CI)1 1li'~q~o:.J.;r,.o_~CI)1 1 His noble birth elevates him His bad behaviour degrades him

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i~~&)Z'4~ ~~~a_~~slll~(ij~ 1 1f~~~~&)t.j~~~~~~~s~ 1 1 It is no help when in poverty Your companion is worse than a dog If food sustains not when in hunger What use is there for nutrition?

~qt;.:~;..~~a5~~~~q~1 1 To consult an astrologer After cutting one's hair7\

q~~~~~~o.~~'L.l1 1q~~~~~~~'L.l1 1 To stretch, an arrow is most obedient To bend, a bow is most obedient

q~.:~;..~~QJq~.:~;..~~1 1~"~mq.:~;..~"1 1 The hunter aims at the musk-deer Though his stratagem envelops the hills

fl'fl'~C!]'z:;J~~~ '[Zl'J.I~&J~ 1 1~J.I'!:.l'fl'CI]C:.':j~~s-z:;J~J.I1 1 A quiet mouth knows no trouble A mouthful of tsampa is tastier than a quarrel

fl'J.Ifl~!:.l~sar~ C~Jli~~~~~ 1 1~ a,~~ !:.l~~CIJ!:.l~~r~~&~~ 1 1 Eloquence cannot erase a debt Affluence cannot purify a sin

fl'~c:.t:l~~z:;J!!]'J.I'4~1 1~z:;J'C!]C:.'z:;J~~

16

[Q'ffi ~"~qQ. ~~~Ui~ 1 1~15 ~" =~~CJQ_ ~~

fl'l;:Jry!!j~~~~~llj~lG"~l l'1"1~'f'llj~~qUjllj'O.~llj 1 A felicity scarf'sK length is of no importance But the purity of its intention is

f1''1~f~'1sa.s'11 1~~'1~sa)'1sa.s'11 1 There's a difference between: The mouth and the moustache The property and the children

f'')~'flllj'!.l'S~!i~~1 1~~')~'~llj'!.l'llj~~~~~1 1 Words and thoughts should know honesty Body and hands should know purity

f'')~'flll]'!.l'S~=-tf')Q]~1 ]i'q~~ll]~~~')llf~1 1 The mouth and the heart should know sincerity The lungs and the intestine should know health

f'q~~~~~%4'1'')~'1 1'1~~f1~~~~~1 1 The talkative can say what he likes And the gourmet can eat what he likes

f'q~;z:J~~~~~q~')1~F1 1~ll]'llj~~;z:!~q~q~~llj'~~ili"~1 1

17

A loquacious man will squander the eighteen-fold wealth of his parents A restless hand will produce soreness in a perfect eye

f'l;:J~~~q4')'~~~~'lff!!j'fll] 1 f'~~q~'CJ4')'~~~1lfU1~'~~1{~'1{~'1 1 If one is eloquent in speech Even the hills nod in agreement If one is harsh in words Even the hills grimace in anger

f'q~~~~a5~a.r~1 1 The gift of the gab Cannot see life through

18

[Q'z:J~ CIJ~'04[Q~~t"ll;~~9'~~ 1 l~9~~CIJ~~~Cl,~'tllel\ ~~9~~ 1 1 All eloquence isn't intelligence All strength isn't courage

flCI\~~~fCI\~9~~~Q]~1 1s~CI\~~[Qf~s~CI\~111 1 A sore in the mouth must heal in the mouth A dispute in the house must be settled within the house

f'CI\~~~Cl.~CI\1 1Cll9'~'4CI\'~'Cl,~~1 1 The mouth recites the holy mani9

The hand holds the slaughtering knife

fl'CI\~'ij~'CI\'~CI\~CI\1 1fi9~\}~'CI\'~9'~CI\1 1 Feelings that are expressed are like medicine Feelings that are concealed are like poison

[Q'CI\~'~94~1 1~~~~q~~1 1 A slip of the tongue reaps Short-handled promises

[Q'CI\~'Cllz:J'aJ~'91)~J:)CI\ 1 1 ~ 'CI\~:srel\ C!J~ ~~ J:)CI\ 1 1 Every word spoken is not a wise saying Every waste product of a goat is not manure

f~~Cll~~~9~~~1 1~~~~91!~~a.9~~~CI\1 1 A slip of the tongue And a wrong tum on the road Are often the basis of a thrashing

f'9CI\~'Cll'Z:J~'X_~1 l~~:rJ-~9~~Cl,~~1 1 While you are gaping open-mouthed at the sky You will find a crow pecking at your arse

Fq~;~ffi;~~q~'=\~~~~~1 15~~11lf-l~~'=\ll.l~~~~~'=\l 1 It may snow for 18 days and nights But it cannot change a lark's voice

fl'Z::J'E;Jl:l~~UI~ 1fl'~~~~~ 1 It's snowfall that makes The sun shine more warmly

fla.s~~~~~~~~~1 1'fi~~~~~~s~~~~1 1 If one is wretched in visage One is shunned by people If one is wretched in attire One is chased by dogs

fl~~9f~~a.~~~~4~1 1!r~~~fla.~~i.q 1 Too much talk-you're the village ladle Too much work-you're the receptacle of envy

fl'.J!'~~l1fJa.1 1~"1~"J~l:l~l I Sores: The one in the mouth Takes longer to heal Than the one on the hand

fl~~~l;l~"1~~~1 1~~"1~~l;l~~~~~1 I We, the dwellers of the pure land of Tsang Are clean in word and clean in hand

fl'~\~"J~;~:f'I]'~'UJ~~~l'lf~l 1i!J'~l,~lr.p:.:~;z;.El'l]'~~~l'!f~1 1 For an argument a man needs a broad mind For a wild horse a man needs a long halter

fl'~la.~ ~~ 'l;l~~~~q~q~ 1 1 :::]~ .. "1~ ~ '"l~"l~~~"l~"Jl:l~~UT~::. ql11Ja.1 1 It's hard for affection and concern To be of one heart and one mind If one doesn't clear doubts through discussion

fl'aJ'l:l'a.'"Jryo..r~~~s1 1~s~'Q..~ry~~4sffi1 1 Harsh words hurt the listening ear Yet harsh words come from a caring heart

19

20

fl~~~~tJ"l~tJ'a.a.~~~"1~~~1 1~~~"1afa:~m;~~Ui~:.1 1 A smile is nothing but the stretch of the skin That which is written in ink never errs

[Q'C:Z.~"l~tJ

The boaster: Kills a tiger with his words Yet his hands fail to kill a flea

(Zl'~~~~~~f~Q.I'~'Cl.~lfj 1 Oh! precious mouth Do keep this body happy

fl'~lfJ'!:l~~~s~~lfJ~iJ,J~~1 11fJ~~~IfJ~'z:J4~~siJ'O.Q,~~4~~1 1 When a girl stays silent she's called a dumbo When a girl tries to explain she's called a chatterbox

fl'a.J'ii'Q,~~~ 1 1a.JifJ'.I:J~Q.I~'IlJ'S~ 1 1 The man who wants to feed himself Ha-s to set his hands to the task

(Zl'a.J'~~~~~~Uic.~1 1 A mouth without teeth Makes more space for the tongue

fl'a.Jc.~Q.I4~z;Ja:~r~c.~1 1lcl'iJ,J'4'"'~t:.~~~1 1 The mouth that sings from habit Sings, too, at his parent's funeral

fl'4~'lij'iJ.I'z:J~iJ.11 1fl'4~'9~~iJ,J'z:J~iJ.11 1 Devotees: Some meditate upon the lama Some upon the torma

fl'!:l4~~U)~!:l1 1a.Jif]'~~9~~~~9~'.1:J1 1 An utterance is a water-bubble A deed is a drop of gold

fl'!:l4~~~'a.J'Ifj~~~lff~1 1fll!:l'-zla.J'~~q~!:l11Jt:.'~lff~1 1 What one says must be practised As a needle case must house thread

21

22

fl"G4~ "QI~ ~4~ 1 1QI~~~ "QI"~~ "tJ"~q1 1 For prattle the sun shines For application gloom descends

fll::."G~t:.~~"tJ"Q1~1 1~t:_q~t:,Q,~q~tJ~~Q, 1 1 It's better to plough a fertile field Than to build a house upon it

flq~~~~~~"tJ"Q,9f4~"4~ 1 After a needle The thread is ready to follow

flqq;.~~~c5'~15'~ 1~~q;.~~~Q,qQ_x..Q,~rx..1 1 When a needle is lost one is agitated When a dzo is lost one is complacent

flq~~~~~~~flQ.c5'~Q.~QI1 1 To measure the sky Through the eye of a needle

F~s~~t:_~Q_~~~~'1J~~QI~!!l~1 1 Lacking appetite for the peach He blames it for its sourness

fl~s~Q_~~~x..~1 1UIQI~~~~Q_~~x..~1 1 It is not the peaches he desires It is just a branch he wants to break

fl~~}J"~~Ui~~~1 1!l1Ul!ll'Sl~fl~~If~1 1 The Khampa lady certainly won't eat the maid But she will eat the maid's salary

fl~~q~t:.;q:!.~Q. ~~~UI~ l 1~ "i5''t:."tJ"t:. ~a.~~lllX..~ 1 1 A healthy body is thanks to the lama And a body not afflicted often is thanks to my nature

fl'Cl.~l;J~~lll4lll~'J~1 1~~~~l;Jt.~3:l~lll 1 A mouth that is like the Tathag11tha Doesn't purify the sins of the person

23

fl

24

~ry~~~"\~~Q]~ 1 Kill a crow and The raven weeps

~~r~~~r~"\'UJ"'~Q]~Ilf~1 1~~"~~w-~~~~~"~Q]~~Ilf~1 1 Although the crow isn't musical Yet he has to caw Although the rabbit isn't sturdy Yet he has to run

fil~"~

[3c:.~t:.'"J'!J~'l]~llr'lj~~1 1 If a dog gets nasty Strike at its nose

6''90-J~r~c:.~~r111~1 1')"J'l.lo_~')~"l~~1 1 Once a beggar can discern a dog's nature He also knows what to do with his stick

6 ''9~~~ 'O-J~ 'lj'o.J'o.J'~~1 1 A dog doesn't leave his tail Where he sleeps

rs')c:.~~~')t:.~1 1 The closer you get to a dog The closer you get to a bite

~')c:.~~~~Qo_~Qit::.~1 1 Dogs and children Provoke fights

rs;r~s~~o.J~~o_~ 1 A pursued dog Never takes the conventional road

6~"1~~~~1 1ij'')'TJ:r..~~~l,Js')1 1 For the black dog's sake The hoof of the white horse falls off (To lose an expensive article for a small cause)

~s-~~~UJ~Uit:.'')'Q]t:.:S:r..Q~1 1 Though the dog strays during the day Yet even he serves as a watchman at night

6'o.J'J!1Q'El"J~1 1J:l'o-I'J!1Q''Ij~t:.1 1 A dog that's uncontrollable Should be kept on the roof

25

26

A man that's uncontrollable Should be sent away from home

sO.J~flll:Jrullla,a_s~:::lll~l1 1 Many dogs together Can kill a drong

s~~lll~'lj~l~O.J~lf-~~1 1 A dog's compelled to bite When a thief's knocking at one's door

slJ~O.J~ !lj'cl.l'O.J'l:J~QJa, 1 1s%"~~~lll~~ ~a,~l1 1 When the female dog doesn't wag its tail There is no cause For the male dog to prick up its ear

sfUJ~'l:Jllll-4~1 1~l:J~UJ~%~~lllq~~a,1 1 Though the dog be mad It recognises its master Though a man be drunk His cognition is present

6%-!l]'~!lj'QJ'l:J'lj~'a,'[ll'~!lj 1 Push a dog into a corner And he will face you

s5;'~~UJ~QJ-l~ 1 A dog's long life Is but nine years

s"'~~4~UJ~1 1s~lll~~~QJ1 1 Although dogs m~y fight They will not rend their own fur

e~!l]'ll~ O:t~!lj~~fila, 1 1~!l]~'S!l]~a, lf.s-~U)~l:J~~~1 1 A fierce dog is the fence of a house Too much ferocity Invites a shower of stones

6~~~c_~Ujt::6fic_.:t,"~~~~~~1 1 The dog has a long tail Only long enough to warm itself (Affluent relatives have none to spare)

611r~~c.t?l::;J~r4~1 1 What's good for the dog is a stick

6

28

(So.ra.~~~rgr~1 1~~r~c.~r~1T1a.1 1 To construct a house is easy To maintain a home is difficult

(SO.~l:l~~~cll4.x._Ui"c.1 1 The sun rising From a dog's bottom

s~~~!.l~l;J.x._a.~.x._~~i;)~1 1 A dog is a dog One cannot stop it From eating shit

s~l"cl.x._~~i;j~!.j.x._1 1Sl:r.r~~.x._~~ l Instead of the hunting dog Barking at the musk deer It's the musk deer barking at the hunting dog

rs~~~~~ ll'l:l\5~~~clJclJ~C,~ 1 1c.~o.It!J~ lf::J~~~~~~clJ~C,1 1 What you cannot find in broad daylight What hope have I of finding at night?11

rs~~~r;;.rclJ~t:,4~sclJt:,'1 1qc.s~clJ~~~clJ'Q,!':jC.'clJC,'1 1 What he hasn't seen outnumbers what he has For the old donkey who says he has trodden all roads Where he hasn't been outnumbers where he has

rs~.x._c,'fll:l'Cl.~:tfs~~~~1 1c,~~!.la.~:tfs~~r;J~iJi"c,1 1 You go ahead and move like a needle I will follow you like a thread

g-~~~c.o.I~c.1 1l:l~a.~clJ~clJs~~~1 1 Complements: Wealthy husband with a clever wife Soft wool of good yarn

~~~;.~~'4ll'i~';J'4~~1 1~C)if'~~~~~~.::j~~.::j~~::..C)1 1 As long as that small bead of an eye is flawless Man sees a grand show here, there and everywhere

~~~;.~~'4ll'~ 4ll'C)l;.'1 1C);J'~Q.af~4ll~~ 1 1 Discomfort: A speck of dust in one's own eye A lie in the Dharma's name

~~~~~~~s~!:l~C)~4ll~1 1s~~~~C)~~~s.::j~~~~;Jl;_'1 1 The sinful hawk that kills a single bird is better off Than the virtuous bird that kills several worms

~;J'C)z::.~ar~;Js~~1 1r.r~.::j~'El;J~~C)fi'~%~ 1 If there weren't any swindlers and hypocrites Why, all men would be of one mind

~4ll'a;C)~~4ll~~~~~;J1 1~ .. ~~~~El~~~~~~;J1 1 Unpaid taxes the king doesn't exempt Collapsed hills a rope doesn't bind

~4ll'4ll'~~~ ~~~;,4ll1 1fll'4ll'~;J'~'.::J.\:1~1 1 When tax is weighed it's in gold dust When food is eaten it's quitch grass

~~~~~~ ;J~~ '4ll';J~~~~;.1 1 s~~~a.~~4ll~ ~;J~~1 1 The sun's magnificent bea~ty is acclaimed by all Except for one creature-the owl

~9~~~~;Ja.~~;.:q-C).4ll1 1~l'~rs~~~~s~~9J~'UI'SC)1 1 The sun for all its luminosity Finds a challenger In dusk's tiny fire-fly

~;J~l'~~.::j~;J~~.::j~'C)Z::.'1 1El~~~.::j~;J~~~%~ 1 When a law binds people it's in hundreds When a rope binds people it's singly

29

30

~J.l~'f-l'J.l~'l::J~~ 1 14'~9)~~~~1 1 Laws-the swindler scorns Meat-the axe cuts

~(;,j~~~~(;.l'tl'~~~~1 1 Laws and precepts Are infringed only by oneself

~(;,j~~~~cr~~~s~~1 1~~~a.!S"~~r

o.lfl~~l:;.~~~o.r~s~~1 1~~~9~p,~iliJ~l:;.~~l:;,q,:i1 1 However clever a man may be Without the aptitude for critical examination He's like the lustre of buried gold

o.lfl~q,\~t(j~ ~ 'fl:;.~'~o.j~~~ '&.J'~ "111~1 1 when one aspires to sagacity One must shun pride

..,- ..,-

o.lfl~'!.J"o.lfl~'&.J~'~l:;.'1 1'"-~~o.l~q,~~o.j~'~l:;.'1 1 The wise are stringent with the wise The envious are stringent with the envious

o.lfl~'&.J'l;l~f~'l:;.'~'1jQ] 1l:;.~'&.J'Q]%Q]~l:;.1J9 1 Frightened I am not of a hundred wise men Frightened I am of a single evil man

o.lfl~r.ri:z.~Q]~~ ''"-\ o.l'Q]l:;.'1 fro~ '&.J~.'"-~9~~ 'ff'l']l:;.'1 1 When the wise make an error It's off by six feet When the fool makes an error It's off by one span

o.lfl~&.JUl~~~r;j~~s~1 1~&,Jq,iSUl~~~r;j~~s~1 1 The wise learn from the past The brave learn from the future

o.lfl~'&.J'X.~~o.l~~ 1 The wise know No racial prejudice

o.lfl~&.J'a.Q]49'-Jur~ry~1 1ar~'a.949'&.J'i'fo.lffi~ 1 For the wise man Knowledge is his wing For the layman A good horse is his wing

31

32

a.J[Q~rCJ~ra.J[Q~''J'C)C:'1 1C)'JO..~~C)CJO..;q.a.JEij 1 It's the brilliant who recognise The brilliance in others It's the brave who recognise The bravery in others

a.J~~~"~~~~~c:"l'1l~'~~:r:r~a.J'Eft::1 1 ~c:~"l~~~~~c:~'x.:f~:t:r~a.J'Efc:1 1 A person suffering from jaundice Sees a white conch-shell as yellow A person suffering from nervous disorders Sees the white snow-peaked mountains as blue

a..ff~a..~')~4~~~~a..ff~1 10..9~'Q..l~\~~~a)c:~~9~1 1 If one wants companionship Even the deer from the hills flock down If one wants to be alone Even the mice from one nest disperse

a..6~'Jm"l11f~~a.J~~a.J"~4~1 1 On the tiny piece of ice Shine nine suns

a..~~~'J~U!~~~a..c: UIC) 1 1a..~a.J'CJ~~1!a:~~~a..c:UI"J 1 1 Quarrels exist even in the land of the gods And conciliations exist even in the land of the cannibals

~gC) ~

34

ttJOJ;ey~QJ~~ory~~"1 1~IJI~~ar~ll.l~~a;;:E;.1 1 Exertion: Is needed for the holy Dharma And for matters of importance

~"Q.~QJ~ur~4"~~~~ttJ 1 One latch cannot support A whole clay wall that's collapsing

llf~~~~~'lil"'cl]~'ClJ1 1~0J~'~'1]Q.'QJ~'~'tJ'~'~~Cl\1 1 For the old bull who lacks comprehension A stick evokes more respect than a king's command

ilf"~rr~~~sQ.rcj"'~~"OJ~~J~iii 11lJurllJ,~'r~llJ~~"~QJ~~1 1 When the lord's honourable head Is higher than a mountain Why, the household's lowest lackey Drags his sleeve around12

ilf"'OJ'i::~ll]Cl.'~"'1 1~1l]'OJ'~z:J'i"~1 1 To ingratiate oneself with the powerful To bully the weak

ilf~J~ttJ%ttJ"I'~~m"~~~q_f";:l\1 1~~ttJ~~q~~~~1~~iJI~~ur"1 1 Without taking one step The four continents13 cannot be traversed Without saving one drop An ocean cannot be formed

ilf~ll]~~=i" ;ey~i~~ 1 1 ~ut~~''J'Cl.lljaJ'~~l:l1 1 If one cannot walk three steps in a straight line Then one cannot cross the threshold

ilfaJ'Ilj~a.l'a.]'~~~QJ'~ ~a.]' ;I\ 1 1aJil]'llj~aJ'a.]'l:l4~ ~tr~ ~f-laJ~~ 1 1 Without taking three steps, one's found in the king's garden Without speaking three words, one's found in the lord's court

llf~~ili~~:~~~~l l~ili.'\ili~~ar~ 1 A duster of brocade And a door knob of sandalwood (Misuse of objects)

llf~~ili'zTJ~'~"~~IIl~"'l 1 The brocade is old But the design is original

~~~=~"~~"~~Oil 1=-~~~o;j~~a.~silil 1 Good clothes one should wear Good food one should share

I!J~a.~~ili 'c'!;lfl~s~ili 1 1~'lf.l1l'~ili ~a;" 1 1 If one can dress with originality A new look is always present

llf~~~''\"'~~ilil 11l'ijc'!;!'~llj~''\"'~~ili1 1 Attire should compliment one's form Conversation should compliment one's friends

~'\'fl'o;J~'IIj'ijo;J'~~a..~o;J1 1'lf~~~cr~'\''l~~~o;J1 1 A case is compromised by agreements A torn attire is repaired by darning

"'\a..l!l~a.~~q~"'!::l''\"'1 1~\o;J~~~j~a.~~~"'~1 1 A quarrel: Should have a base steader than a hill and A tail that's longer than a river

9J'l'~" 'ili 'o;J" ~ ~111~1 1 The fewer the monks The tastier the assembly tea

35

~rarlll~1l~c'!;l~s~ili1 1~szTJ~ili4~~ili1 14~zTJ~ili~~ar~= .. ~~1 1 A defrocked monk for three years Is a handsome strutting peacock

36

Who changes into a hungry hunting dog And then degenerates into a bent, hollowed earring

9l'~'llQ[''Il~'~&~sUI~ 1 1~ ~~'lifj'UI~~~IlJ~'Ur~ 1 1 A defrocked monk for the first three years Is a handsome strutting peacock And then he is just an old wastrel

9]1lJ~w"~~~~"~~1 19lllJ~~'Il"t'~:.~~Er~1 1 If the head of the queue consumes everything Then there will be nakedness left for the tail

9)~9l'~'~~'ll~'ll~~"t'l~,.CiUI~ 1 1'~"t~~~~~~l'cl~~~ ~~'~UI~ 1 1 Bravery thrusts a knife face to face Cowardice shoots an arrow from a distance

9.1"t~:r.r~'l''ll~~9f;1;;~f3~1 1"19l'"t~'9f'll~'C11''11~~~il"t1 1 Carry a sword and a bowl wherever you go For you never know If you'll meet a friend or foe

9)~il"t'~'f'll'"t~ 14''~'~af"t''Jca.~iffllJ'Z:IQiC111 1 It's a blunt knife that blames The meat for being undercooked

S)~r::. il~ ~~ il~ 'z:I~'z:I11Jt:.'1 1"1 9l'f" ~'ll'~z:I~~~i'll''ll~'ll~1 1 Although the storeroom Is filled with swords long and short When the enemy appears in one's cellar It's the kitchen ladle one throws

9.1z:I'J~~~6~~UJr::.'1 1'1l~~~'~as~sr::.~'llC11~"~1 1 When Drib14 is under flood Its folks keep tormas under their armpits

~~'ll~t:.'llJ'il"t'~1 19f'Qff'C11'il''i1111 1 If there's no sweet potato underground

There's no way sweet potato leaves Will sprout above the ground

!i'l]"o.J'Q,SfQ,Sfo.J~ ~ 1 1-iJ~ '

38

-g~~''ll'~ll~ ''-!?1.a5~~ilf~1 1~~''11'l'cl~ ''-1?1.~~~~ilf~1 1 For friends a word of harmony For all beings. a heart of goodness

-g~~%~~'11~~~~~1 1~~~%~~'1l~~~~~l 1 For a thief it's easier to rob a single house For a wolf it's easier to grab a single lamb

-g~'-l~'ll~~!!f~Ql;:z;.~a5;:z;.~~~~1 1 No matter how intimate your neighbours may be Separate yourself from them with hedges of thorns

-g~'-IQ.q4~Ul~~~~r;~~~~1 1 Even if a neighbour's cow dies One must mourn for three days

-g~'-l~w-'11~~ ~~~~ ~~4~1 1JlJ~ El~~~ ~ q;:z;. ., ~~~til~ '-1~4~1 Until one feels hunger One doesn't realise how precious grain is Until one has to walk One doesn't realise how precious a horse is

-g~~'ll:s~1 1El~;:z;.~~~~ll 1 Ask others for opinions But decide on your own

ro~'ll~~~'ll~s~1 1 In the reign of Ling Gesar Aku Thak-Thung15 Can do what he wants

l~~~~~~'llry~'L;J4l1 1~'1l~~lSJ''11''11~~1 1 In happy times secrets are exchanged In sad times enmity is evoked

Too much attachment creates hatred Too much sweetness creates nausea

lQ]C4.'.:::J'C1J'~~~z;_1 1&l'tJ'C1J'~Eli4.'.:::J~~1 1 Joy must live long Happiness must be secure

lQ]C4.'.:::J~'~~~~Qj'Qj~Qj'Ul"'1 1 After every happiness Follows a sorrow

"'~~Qja;J[Qj~~~~"'~Qj~"'1 1Q]~~C1J~"'~Qj~"'~i~Q]~~"'1 1 The milky way is the sash of the sky Without a sash, the sky is an untidy gown (Without discipline, disorder will reign)

"'~'~Qj'.:::J~l;_~~~~~Ujz;_~ 1 ll~~Qj'.:::J~l;_~~~4~UJ1;_'4 1 After eating the thukpa on the 29th16 If I'm sick, so what! After eating the thukpa on the 29th If I'm dead, so what!

l~~'"'SJ;q.C4.~'.:::J'~i'~=

40

~~~4~.ra;-~~~~~'1l1 1Q.S~s~~'-~~r~.~rUJ1 1 The honourable Geshe is a garland of flowers But in essence empty of fruits

~~~4~'1l~~~" ~~ "Q"J,r~~ Yrr~Ql~~~" ~~" 'llOil~~ 1 Don't argue with an honourable Geshe Don't bang your head against an honourable pillar

~~~~::,~Oii~~~~Oii~AAQ.S]Oil%s~ 1 1 A gelong at a lakeside shore What else is there to do but to fish?

~~i"."~~s~'ll;z;.1 1 When a man becomes a monk His hair will tum white

~llft:.Oila5~~~~~::,~1 1fl"Oili~f0.~1 1 Long evening prayers18 Are the cause of arguments

~llf~~~~1fi;z;.q_~1 1~s~~~q_~1 1 Just as the peacock can digest poison So can the monastic community digest kor19

~llf~t.~'a.f5'1J~~~~1 llil"Oil'a.~~~Ql~~ 1 Beat a monastery's pet dog And you hurt the lama's sentiments

~i!f~ t.~'a.~~"1 1?.i\11l~~~QUJt:,~~ 1 1 No monastery tea20

No Shol thukpa21

(To fall between two stools)

~lff~Q~Oilt.~'a.~if~~~Q;s;.1 1~~1ff~q_~~~~~~~Oil1 1 What is required is the practice of the holy Dharma And what is not required is a bride for one's samsara

l!ff~r~q_~f"'f"r.p(Qt;Q] 1~llff~sQ]'!'Qjrya>l'l'l'~~Q]~l 1 For enemies, unsheath swords together For friends, place food bowls together

41

42

~~~~~"q;"~tli)~r~"1 1z;-~~~".9"~s~~1 1 To bellow war cries before the enemy is seen To shed mourning tears Before the corpse is seen

~~~~~~~~~~"~~~~r;1 1 An enemy and a fire Have to be stifled when young

~ ~~Clj~~~~~ ~"~ Clj~~~"~1 1 Once a country is rid of her enemies Her suffering inevitably disappears

~~Clj~~~~~~~sClj~s~~qs~~~~1 1 When your enemy surrenders Treat him better than your own son

~~:1\ q:z:_" ~:z:_Clj9J~l;J~~ 1 1 The blacksmith is killed By the sword he casts

o-!Qj:l\l;J~~~l;J~~~'T]~l;J~ff"1 1~.l;J~~Q]~l;J~~'T]~l;J~ff"1 The blacksmith thinks making butter is difficult The butter-maker thinks casting iron is difficult

o-~~o-~~~"~Cljm~q~~1 19".9".~"~Clj~"wl;J~~~1 1 A big head doesn't harbour big brains A broad chest doesn't harbour bravery

o-]~l;J~~l;J"-~~;z:J-zqo-~~i.l.~Qj 1 An enemy who surrenders Should not have to suffer defeat

~~w"~Cljs~, 1m~~~~U)~~Q']~1 , Take an empty head outside The raw brain will be filled by other folks

~~EI:I\'')S"'EI:I\1 1~~~~"~q~"~1 1 When he is given a place to sleep He wants to stretch his length out

~~q~~~~if'q~~~1 1 It's the opportunist Who loses his own hat

~'llf~ril') ~:~;, ~,.ta. 1!1~1 1 ifJ" ~~i)~ ~"'q~scl:(!l~1 1 No hair on my head But taxed for a wig No shoes on my feet But forced to dance (To be called to perform beyond one's ability)

~~~~~q~~ 1~r~llf~~~:~;,~~q~"~1 1 To have one's own head broken by a helmet To have one's own idol broken by the attendant

~"f~~~q~a.~q,:~;,q1 1 The ear did not hear The head rotting (To be kept in the dark)

a.~C!f~q_~ ~~ ~r'lf~:~;.qQ]"'1 l~q~~q_~ ~~ ~~ z:r~:~;. q~"l 1 Catch him from the head All you'll get is a handful of hair Catch him from the buttocks All you'll get is a handful of patches

a.~~~~a.~q~~~~1 Ja.!~Qj'~'J.l5C)'tl'~Qj'C)Ifi'~1 1 The head that boasts of a plait Must also boast of a knot at the plait's tail-end

a.!~Qj~~Qj%Qj~~a.~~l~1 1q_1fi:~;,~~%~~~ilfil~1 1 The task that's not pursued by a quick worker Will not be concluded by a slow worker

43

44

~srcr{'r~~~t~.~"'1 1z:Jl"l~fil~~~"l~sl1 1 A guest who's familiar with the household Shouldn't mistake himself for the owner

~sr~;zj~~~~"s"1~1 1l~"li)U)~~~"s"1~1 1 If it's a guest it's one too many If it's a lfQldier it's one too few

Q,~QJ'Q,~QJs~~ 'fl~"]~z:J1 1 The man who labours Gets food wherever he goes

Q,~':il'Q,~~ ltr~ :cr~~~ 1 1llJUill]~~ll]~~ '"]Ui"]:cJ~~~ 1 1 Impoverished of virtue-a leader's fault Inability to serve-a servant's fault

Q.~"~~~~"~fil~'UI"'"J~~~Qf'l] 1 Too much agility makes even The s~ow lion fall on its back

Q,~~''JCl.'o.liff~~ll]'z:J~~1 1 To trample on a fallen person

Q,~~~ii)'Q.~ll]'"\~"\~l~~1 1fl'~~~ll]''J~'Q~ii)''J'l~~1 1 When one is about to fall One needs a support When one has a case One needs the truth

Q,9J"~'"\'f'll~~~~z:j~l1 fsl~9:l"~~~z:j~l1 1 When full-bellied Don't forget what hunger feels like When warm and snug Don't forget what the cold feels like

Q,9J~'fil'llJUI!lJ'~s~"\1 1i~~"~aslUi"1 1 When the male horse challenges a yak

It's the horse wh0loses his heel's nerve

a.9J~l.l'a.ffi

46

a.9f~Q_Sf!!]~~~~Cf.ll:)"'1 1~

a.Sf~~rffiO) ~ ~q:a.S[

48

~'ll;:t;.~~~~~ar~s"~;:t;.l;J~'ll~"l~1 1 z;JIJ.l~11r~~~~~S"I"l.f-ll;J~;:t;.l;J~~"1 1 Deceptions: To study dancing in Nepal Instead of studying Buddhism in India27

~~1ff~Er~~~~tlf jtJ"if.l1ff~Er~~%""~11f1 When the Chinese are in power He is Chinese When the Tibetans are in power He is Tibetan

~Cf.lafffiUJ"~~~Sl"l~1 1~~~~".UJ"~~ffi1 1 An ocean though vast knows silence A rivulet though small knows noise

~if,Jar;:t;.;;rQ,l;J;:t;.~"l~"l:Ja.~~;:t;."l i~:ll.l~m~~l;J~;:t;.l;Ja.~~;:t;."l 1 When the ocean's on fire There's no water to put it out When the stone starts growing hair There's no knife to cut it off

~Ul~~~~Ul~~Cf.ll jtJ"~~~~~Ul~~Cf.l1 1 Either the Chinese tea is inferior Or the Tibetan water is inferior

$1l.lQ,~l;JIJ.l~"tlf~1 l~Cf.l-f"l;JClJf-l~"tlf~l 1 To venture to India, wealth is needed To fill sausages, blood is needed

~~fl"~.'1~i"s'1l:JIl.l~J 1~~~~~~1ff~"ls"l:J""ll"l.1 1 It's better to be the chieftain Of a confluence of three rivers Than to be the temple attendant Of a Chinese temple

~llllc.~~ll]'Eli'"J.J~J.J~ i!ll ]Ell:l~lc.~'Elz:t~r~c.;Q.~c.4lU)~ l 1 There is no doubt that I am going to strike you (with a sharp weapon) But whether or not I shall strike home Depends on your lungta211

~~a;i!l~'~'r~;z;,c. .. ~lll~l 1 A woman without jewellery Is a plain nun

~~i!l'J.llQ.~~~ff~qa)l 1 At an archery contest where there's no betting Aku Tonpa's arrow is the sharpest (Nothing to win)

~Cll'[Q'i~:rJcl.q~;z;,~lll~l 1 The king's command Is the minister's contortion

~Cll~l~Cll!ia:~!llCllurll l"'Clc.~~sls!ll&~~Cll~ 1 True, the kingdom is the king's But public happiness lies in the minister's hand

~".r"lJ'f.So.J~'lC. 'ElJ.l'll]~a_~~ 1 1 The seals2" proclaim The king's command

~Cll~~Cll~~~l:l~ll]~~o_9] ]!jC:.~;z;."1q~~O)~a_9] 1 A king must depart leaving his kingdom behind A beggar mu~t depart leaving his begging staff behind

~Cll~~Cll'z::J"l~q~1 1~5c:.~7,~q~~~q~1 1 The king lives in unease Though he be king The lone spinster sleeps in unease Though it be sleep

49

50

S'Jill:q.~~~~~qw-~~~0.1 1~"~~ry~lll~~r.J~i\f~1 1 Most kings love blatant flattery Rare indeed the king who listens to truth

S'Jill:q.~llJ'4::1\'0.~~~~~~~fl~llJ~a)1 1 ~lll~~~a.a.~q~a.~~~~,~r.J~~"Ill~~Efi 1 When the king wants to lose a kingdom His laws get hotter than fire When the subjects want to know dishonour Their arrogance gets loftier than a mountain

S'Jill:r;r~~~c,jQJa,q~:_~~ "'1 1'J~~ ;f~(~'r.J'tlJ'S'J~ ~~~1 1 A benevolent king needs subjects And a beautiful woman needs jewellery

S'JtlJ:t:i'~~::J\~~~~:.~w-~~~:.~~:.1 1~"~~'Ell:.'~tlJa.fS::1\~~~::1\'~::1\1 1 The king upon his golden throne Can know hunger The beggar with his begging bag Can know fullness

$'1Jmql11a.f-l"'l~r~::1\~~~4~~1 1~"'l~~~~$4~~~q4~~1 1 Wealth erodes a king's law Fleas disturb a hermit's concentration

$tlJm~111a.tlJ~i~ ~~~tJ~~ 1 1 More rigid than the king's command ls the minister's stick

~tlJ:q-::1\.ra;-~~~~tJ::J\1 1i~:q::1\'"'l(::1\'::1\'~~~t!J~:.1 1 When the king cannot afford his morning tea From where will the minister get his daily bread?

~a.9]~~~~tJ~~~~~~~ 1 To desire a large statue But to scrouhge the provision

~a.9f~~lll1ia.z:J~'cli~C)C)~1 l~'QQ~~~~qa:lll~cllcll~ 1 Wealth finds its way to a king's treasury And a river finds its way to a cor\fluence

~a.~~~'lll1 ll:)~'Q'g~~clj'Q~lll~l 1 In extravagance No virtue is accumulated

~~~~lll~~~~l 1~J;,C)~o.~~a.rs~ 1 When opulence sits astride a horse The heart of poverty freezes

~~~~~~~~~~1 1 A small cause can lead To a big result

~~~~~%~o.~~~~1 lfl'C)~'Ill~a.~o.l'UI~'=l~'~C)] 1 For the man who isn't affluent Though his words be as smooth as silk They're of no use

~~~~C)'l.J"-'~'~'Illl ,~~~~~a;~~o.l~C)'l.J'Uil:)J 1 On the tips of poverty-stricken tongues The words of truth are stagnant

~'4~~~lll~ryo.l'~~~~ 1 To be parted from the wealth But to still possess the ill-repute

~~C)~r:J"'l'l.l'-zl~~lll"'1 1Cl.l~~C)~~c:t.rso.~~Cl.l~~~ur~, 1 Without wealtl, Becoming a swindler is natural Without employment Becoming a loafer is natural

~~C)'l.J"-'~~~~;.j~~1 1~~~C).'l.J(l_~~o.~~fl~ffi1 1 A penniless pauper has more thoughts to think A cloudless sky has more expanse to show

51

52

~ur~~~s"0.~~~1 1~il~~~s"O.~ur~~il 1 With wealth one becomes an uncle's nephew Without wealth one becomes an uncle's servant

~Qli:)~i:)o.jf~1 1fl'"'''i:l'Cl~'~o.t~'Qj'f~1 1 Judge a man for himself Not for his wealth Judge a man for his goodness Not for his eloquence

~lfJ~slf)Qls~~1 1ij'Ql~~o.ti!fJ~1 1 When the race is upon a cliff face A goat is faster than a horse

~lf)~'l.l'O. 'ij 'Ql'o.ti!fJ~'l.l'd. 'ij ~ ~ ~ '!f~1 le':I,SJ!f)~'l.l'd. 'il'Ql'ijlf)'l.l'd. 'f.9Qj~l!f~1 1 A race horse should possess speed A friend should possess consistent decency

~'d.Cl~lf);zr-~Cl~'~~1 1~c:.'d.~~'l.l'Cl/lflf) 1 When the real owner of wealth appears Even the patch on the iron-pan will be taken away

~~il~~~~~'lf)ryo.t'Cl4~'~1 1~~tG"~If)~~~1 1 When inexperience speaks like a veteran It's the veterans who enjoy a laugh

~~~~i:!~i11~ 'lf)~lf)'~C:.'1 1 A man without experience Is deceived but once

li'~Cl~a.s~i:!il1 1~1fJ~~~Qli:)~~1 1 A door knob cannot be eaten by worms A running stream cannot be immobilised by stagnation

li!fJ'l.l'~lf)'Ql'Cl-=!~'~"'1 1li"lfJ~*"~'Qj'fi'Cl1 1 Although garlic may be eaten in secrecy Its smell can be sniffed from afar

~o.J'tl.~;z:,~CI3ll~sll1~~1 1~c:.c:.~rulll~~lll~ll~o.l~~~CI3~1 fl one is too attached to illusory wealth Worry, fear and anxiety-These three will never cease

~~lft:,'I:,J~':I\t::~i~~~ 1 1 An empty sack cannot Stand on its own

~'o.lfl~~~~~~~~1 16\o.I'i"l~ll'l:.l'Cl.~:'f.fUJC:.'~~1 1 Neither an eloquent parrot Nor the cock which accurately heralds the dawn

~~I:,J~sr~sro.Jc:.~~~m, ~~~m~~1 1 ~~o.J'o.lfl~'~Sf~Sfo.Jt:,'~'l:.lllj~'~~lc:,'~!:l~1 1 A hermit who roams too far Will find himself in the land of cannibals A tailor who roams too much Will have to sew a rancid hide

~S)'Elo.J'I:.l'Cl.'fl'f~~~c:,l lfc:.ElOJ'I:.l'Cl.'~!lj'~'f~~l 1 A hundred mouths may be stopped from speaking But a thousand eyes cannot be stopped from seeing

~S)'~4l'fc:.~~~c:,Ui~~~~~~~o.J'I:.J1 1 Man may rant a thousand times But parched barley will yield only tsampa

~S)~~s'Cl.fl~~!ll4~~l1 1 A mouth that quarrels Knows no virtue

53

~'r.I.C)OJ'l;l~'4"1'l;l~C)'~'C)!i~ :tiU!~ 1 1~'c\C)!i~ ~~~'11l'Uil:) 1 1 I am lord and governor of 800 camps in Dam30 But my lord and governor is at home

~Q,~ 'Q,S't;~~OJfl~ -wo.rU!~ 1 1~ '~)Ill~~~ '11]~1::. ~fl~ 'fl't;~'Ul~ 1 1 The maker of myself was my mother The maker of white hills is snow

r::~~rOJ'i59~1 1~'0JS"j'Q,i5"]~1 1 Don'tbum1'Qe Bum my ear

~~C)'JI1l'~~~~l1l1 1~"1~''J'c\'1~~~C)ilf~1 10J~t;~if~~C)1 1 We, the glorious Sakyas31 Need no wooden chopsticks Our fingers will suffice

~~'Ja-~OJt;~"CC)'~1 ,q~~~Ft;~i}m1 1 Good men cannot be happy Unless all evil is annihilated

~~ ''J'l;l~~~~Q,S]~~~ ~C)'"l~~OJlf] 10J'~t;~~~if~~t;~~ll]'~ ~~ '11l't:~'1 1 When vice is satiated with wealth His voice is sweet and clear When evil is in a position of power He is cruel to all

~~'J~~~~l 1'1S~~'af"1'~~1 1 For the evil only one man exists-himself For the old dog only one thing exists-shit

~~''J'I1l'UI'5~'~1 1t;~~~~'C)OJQ,'Q,~z:q 1 When virtue heeds vice She loses prestige

~~fl~~~Q]C)'~C)~~~~.:z:rC)Zif~1 1 However clever one be at the art of weeping It shouldn't be mistaken for laughter

~C)t!f~l:J,~r~~~~~r.p:..1 1 ~~C)t!f~~ ~ ,~~~1 1 The lamb should cry, but it doesn't The wolf shouldn't cry, but it does

~C)t!f~l:JO. 'C)lljO. ~~~~~Q'i!) 1 1C)ZifC) 'C)t!f~l:JO. ~.:aa_~Qj~.:~:._Qj 1 If man does not labour Till he comes to tears From where will the provisions That bring laughter come?

~4~'l:J'Qji!)~~Qj~~C)~'1 1~~'UlC)'l:J'~~Qj~~~C)1 1 He knows only these two-sky and earth He's acquainted with these two-fire and water

C)~~~~~~ 'i!) 'UJ~ ';J~Qj~~C)'~Qj~'Qji!)l:_'1 1 If you can't present me with a blessing At least let go of my hand32

C)~~~~'i!)'~Qj~~~~1 1C)~~~~I:_'i!)'~Qj~~~~r:_1 1 Greater wealth, greater suffering Lesser wealth, lesser suffering

~C)r:_~~&r~~r:_Cl't~C!)1 1~1:_'C)I:_'~.:I\'l:J'Q~I:_'i!)'~1 1 Beat drums and cymbals-there's sweet melody Beat mud with a pestle-there's a strong floor

~~C)l:J!lj~'l:JC:l..a_a;~~1 1 One must dance In accordance with the beat of drums

~~~~~af!lj 1~~~~~ 1 The ears are born first The horns come later

55

56

~ap\';J'CS')'I:.l~'"tllfz:::.a;~t:~t:~~l 1 Before the morning rain has ceased The evening rain has poured

~~SJ';J'Cll~'"tCll't:~l l~~~~~Cli~:SCll't:~l 1 Morning brings leisure for the holy lama Evening brings briskness for the attendantll

~'Cllt:~~~z:::.t:~')t:.'1 1~'Cllt:I';J';JZ:::.'t:l'')llf~1 1 Words before the deed Shouldn't be too few Words after the deed Shouldn't be too many

~~~~~Cll~~~~~~~~"tl l"t~~~~~~tlll';J'~~l 1 Once. frightened to death by a black poisonous snake Now he doesn't trust even a striped piece of twine

~~t:~~~~:.~a.~;J:S')'~"t~1 Jm')t:~i-~'a.~;J:S"t~Uiz:::.1 1 When the morning sun brings no warmth Then the noon sun has none to offer

~~s~Cli~Cll1 1"ts~~~Cll1 1 The nest that sheltered the mother bird Will not be the home of her fledglings

f~as"ta.s~~:.~a.sr~~~~~~z:::.;Jt:~~z:::.~~1 1 ~~'C5')'9f~~~t:I~Cli'~Z:::.'~')'I:.l~'')'l]Cl.1 1 When old friendship knows no honesty It will be troublesome For one to find new friends for the future

lll~~ll]il~~~~"~~J;)il1 1 Even wild beasts refrain from Eating their own kind

ll]%ll]9f~9%ll]Clrrq~ 1 1lll%9~~ 9%9~~~q1 1 A single piece of advice canbe heeded A single deed can be accomplished

ll]%9.;.r~qf"llla.9J~1 19%9~4~q~q4\a.~~1 1 When a single enemy cannot be defeated He provokes a thousand When a single item of knowledge cannot be imparted He speaks of a hundred

ll]%ll]lll~a.~99~~~f~l ~~~lll~a.~9~"9f~l 1 When you aren't agreeable to one person It's the other person's flaw When you are not agreeable to all persons It's your own flaw

Ill~" "9~" "ll]%ll]"lll"El ""El" q~l 1 For every sickly person There's 100 healthy ones

q~9~~F9%~~~q~~1 19f"'J'q_~rq91llUi."1 1 If by the age of 13 One cannot plan one's life Then how can one be The village leader?

q~~~ar~ '-~rq~q~9~~ 1 1 ~" ~ilfEf~ '-~~r~lll~~ 1 1 Let's not speak of the festival of the 15th34 Better it is if one is self-sufficient

58 z:J~~;Jas~q~:q;ur~~1 1~.i)J~~~~ClJEf~4liJ 1 Oh! you offering on the 15th35 If you have any guts Come out and face the noonday sun

q~~i)J~'ffi!IJ~q~~1 14'1J~~~~~q1 1 Pretensions cannot conceal truth Paper can't hold fire

~liJ~'~ClJ~~ClJ't.lliJ~'f~ClJ'i)J'~'IJ 1 Don't endorse a metal seal With a seal of dough36

~'IJ~af!1JCllz:J~~~1 111fz:JI~:er!IJCll;J~~1 1 Iron is shaped when hot Leather is cured when wet

~~:m~s~~q~::~:,qClJ1 1S'3~~s-~q~!IJCllEl::t,l 1 When the willow park is encircled by hawks From where will the smaller birds take flight?

~~';J'7li'!IJ~i)J&~q::~:,~'IJ"''~~~~1 1~::~:,qa:f!IJ~;J');1;J't.j::t,'~!IJ~~~~1 1 That a willow tree matures within three years Is no cause for rejoicing That a poplar tree withers within three years Is no cause for sorrow

~~i)J~'l:l~!IJ:rf::~:,~~'IJ~Ilf~1 1 It's the proprietor of a willow park Who faces the scarcity of finding firewood

~i)J~~q~~"'sr~~~0-14~1 1s;r~::~:,~"'sr~~~~~4::~:,1 1 Alas! I am unable to walk like the noble lady And at the same time I have lost my own style of walking

~q~ ~~ 'ClJ'~~ ';Jf~ ~ ~ 'O.j'~f~Cll~q~~~ 'z:J~J.I't.l1 1 The fly that lives on a dung heap Thinks he is in heaven

a:i!~]'lf"\'ll:r:r::~:r.t.~~ '!.l'Cl. ~1 fi'~ l:, s ~'ll'llr.;"\ ~~~t:,1 1 For the man who beckons calamity His skill and activities Outnumber any other man's

a:i!l]'~~l::_'O)'r.t.ilf~t:_'1 1~'~'l::_'O)'~e!l.l.J 1 When choas reigns, the leaders must suffer When famine strikes, the poorest must suffer

a:;!l]~~t:_ ''ll4"\ ~Cl, 'S}~a:;!l] 14~~t:_'ij\j'l

60 If others drink it It gives you a heartache

=~~~~a~~~1 rs~~~C!j~~~~1 1 Gratitude: For chang, water For kindness, insolence

csl~LG""l~ ~~'(~ ''\llf~1 1 For penalty to be enforced There has to be One to uphold the l'lw

a5i!il'~.:I\'Tq~'UI~'1 1UI'i!\l.:l\'~~l1 1 What will cure a cold Will also. inflame a sinus

cs.:~;.&.~~sr~~1 ~~i!\l~sr~~1 1 The rain is a friend of water The sun is a friend of fire

(15.:1\'&.l'~ry~~~al~'~i!\11 f~~'&.l'~4~~~~.:1\~U1~~1 1 If it rains, the valleys look fresh If one is purified from one's sins, one's bardo is lighter

=~~rq~~ry~'1 1~~~~.:~;.~~~1 1 It rains over there But the spray is felt here

cs.:~;.~i~~cs~~~1 1~~~~~~~~'\1 1 On the man drenched by rain Dewdrops have no effect

~~~llf~~~~~1 1~~~~~UI~~~ 1 What is muddied at the souri:e Will be muddied all the way

~Jlj~~~~~~~'tJ'')~'1 1~~~~~"1~~~~~'tJ1 1 It's drain water that doesn't stay in the gutter And it's the delinquent who doesn't obey the law

~~Cll~~~,;l'~') 1 1 Remove your shoes When you get to the stream

~~o.Jar-~~~a:~-atllCllo.J'~1 1~~~~~~Cl,')o.J'~~"1UJ~lf;~;..s')1 1 In a place where a vast ocean exists A small pond swirls around (Insignificance trying to assert its significance)

~~~iajo,~o.J'UJ~'1 1"1~~~~~~tlf')1 1 Still waters harbour The lethal crocodile

~f~~fl~~~~UJ~'1 1~~~r.r.:t:i~'l'4;1\'~~')'~;l;.,'~~')'l.')1 1 However wide the blue waters may be A sound boat crosses to and fro with ease (To be under authority)

~a; ;I\ tJa:~"l~o.J ~::. UJ~::.1 1~') ~;~;.,~~~a_~~ s ') ~~~::. 1 1 If water brings not the beneficial rain At least let it not be the harbinger of frost and hail

~~~~~~Cllo.J~~~~1 1r:r"l~;~;.,~~Cli~F@Cll'l.')1 1 Without gauging the width of a great river The swim of a youth is madness

~~~')Cli'UJ~a_9J~l.')1 1');~;.,f"lstllUJ~::.~')~l.')1 1 The river that flows with leisure Is but an itinerant The flag that flaps vigorously Stays where it is

61

62

~~~~~so..r~~a;~~~~f~1 1a;~~~~~~~~:i~:i"%..~1 1 It's rain that makes vast oceans great Without rain Why, a river and rivulet are the same

~~~~s~~~~~1 1~~~~-s~

~rq~Ef~ '.ilo;j''J'l:llC) ~~~ 1 1~rqo;j~o;j'lq'o;j'l:JlC) ~~, 1 1 After crossing a river don't forget the bridge After gaining maturity don't forget your parents

~~~~~~~l:.'iill:l''J1 1~'51~'o;ji:,~Q,~~

64

~Qj~lf]'CJ'z:J~~~t:.1 1~'Cli'Uit:.~~~1 1 Beating a stick on the water's surface Hardly affects the fish below

~Cll~a.~~"'1 14t:.'Cll'~l:J1 1 A river has a source And a tree has a root

~Cll~~lf]~'l:JSJI:J'~l 1~'~1f]~'~t:.~i)q~~1 1 When water is sieved The sieve holds no water

~Cll~;z;.If~~~t:.'j 1~'1f]~'Sllfl'ft:.a.~1 1 Although the river possesses no talons Yet its claws dig into the earth

~~Cll~~~~q~1 ~~a.s~~Cljqa:z;.~~::.1 1 Chushul,40 so dose to the waters Has cast karma to the waters

~"s~~~"lfl~l~::.~~CJ:I\1 14'f:l\'~lflCJ"'~Cll~1 1 When young, no nutritious milk to drink When dying, what's the good of noodle soup?

~t:.U!~Ilj'f'~'l:JSjl:J~'~1 1~i'X.!f]'l:J~'l:J'If]'~~Uit:.'1 1 If in childhood one doesn't learn the alphabet From where will the sharpness of intellect arise?

~~o.6;z;.~t:.'~Cli~~Cli'C)"'1 1~''\Sllf]~'~t:.a.9.llf]~'CJil.'~Cll1 1 The deceiver pretends he's swimming When he's carried by the current Pretends the work is done when it's still undone

~~:qlf]:l\'~t:.~4~1 1~t:.~t:.~t:.~~Eft:.~1 1 Small-mindedness: Neglects matters of importance But holds tenaciously to trifles

ffi~4~~~~1 1~;z:_aro.JI::::~~:::~')1 1 If one knows contentment Much or little wealth makes no difference

ar~~~~c:.~Q.J:~~tJ;z:_1 f%~JJs~~c:.~r::.l:J~r::.~1 1 The holy Dharma led him not to enlightenment But made him sick with the sound of bells

~~jr::.;z:_c:.o.J!ffo.J'~~tJ;z:_1 1o.J'ff~~~QJ'iz:;J%;~~1 1 The chos-kyong Who cannot protect himself Yet offers protection to human beings

ffi~'$0J'~'')l:;ll:.'~'Ull:.'1 1~~'tJ'~'Ult::.~~"]~C:.'1 1 Although the religious king be blessed with power It is no compensation for his sins

65

ffi~'z:;J') ~~') ar~c:. ~~~~ '') t:. '1 1~f') i\f~ 'o.Jffi"]'OJ'~~OJ'z:;J'"lt:, 'z:;Jryz:;J'UJ~ 1 1 The holy religion knows no owner For those who persevere The holy deities may be beseeched In any form one wishes

ar~s')~;z:_(J.l;z:_a.~~ffi~r::.')t:.'1 1~ryo.J'l:;lt')~;z:_l:;l~~tJffi~r:::_1 1 A paradox: Partiality where faith flourishes Injustice where opinions are expressed

ar~J:lOJ4"t'tJ;z:_ 1 1;z:_r:::_~"'~o.JtJ"l~r:::_"tll1~1 1 Before one preaches One's own morality should be pure

ar~~"' ~r:::_aJo.Ja.~llJ"tr:::_1 1~~"' ~r:::_ilfz:;Ja.~IJJ1 1 No religion but pretending to be a lama No hair but pretending to be leather

66

i"~i~')~"alOIO.mq~"t1 1~~i~')~"r.rJ.~'a.9~~~9 1 No teaching have I Yet my hair has been cut41

No wealth have I Yet I am my parent's pet

i"~9~~~~01s~llJ~~~a.~"~1 1 When religion is not practised in youth fu old age only regret will set in i"~lljiill:l~~q~')lljiill:l1 1 Where religion flourishes So does the devil

i"~~~i"~,"1 19'i~~~9'i~1 1 In a cloister devote yourself to prayers In a place of songs devote yourself to singing

i"~~~rl:l~')~q~a;lUi"~i~')~')9a.aJ1 1 Ul" ~ aJ~.r~~ :tr~m~" Ojq~"~ .,9a. t1J1 1 How wonderful it would be If no obstacles arose on the path of spirituality How wonderful it would be If the honourable lama hadn't made me cut my hair

o.~~~~~"1~~"}:~1 1~q'Q.~9'1J~~"~U!~1 1 When a wild beast pities the jackal It's an ill omen for the tamed sheep

o.~i"l~~o.~~o.~~Qj~Q]~F1 1qo.~~o.~~')r.J~9~~1 1 Though the chorten be turned upside down The series of steps at its waist still remain (Nothing virtuous is ever completely lost)

o.Ji"')~~Q]~9~a.~"~qt;9 1 To defaecate in the shape of a chorten (Circumstances that occur by sheer chance}

~a;~~~~~~~'1~'1 14'~~~~:~~~1 1 Tea and chang are meant to be drunk together by friends Tsampa and meat are meant to be eaten together by friends

~~~l:J~,~~~~~~~1 l~~';J'~'~~~~l 1 It's tea and tsampa that fatten man It's fire and sun that warm him

~~~~~~;JUi~~1 1~~'1tr~UI~'UI~~~~a;'11 1 If he is absent when tea is served Even the chief trader Will not get his share of tea

~af:r:r~~~~~~~~, 1~~'1:J'af~'W';J~~~~1 1 You don't drink hot tea And mother doesn't serve hot noodles

~af~'1''1~'1 1~ry;J'~~~'11 1 It's tea without salt42

It's talk without a reply

~~;J:r:r;J~~~Ifl~:s~~'11 1 A tasty tea Is thanks to butter

;J~~ClJ~~~~~~sUJ~~~1 1 The man who tarries at his task Even if he is a rich man's son Losses will be his lot

~~;J'5~~~~~1:J~~~~~~~l 1 For the spoilt: Fleece is too coarse to sleep upon

68

o_~o_9~~~::.~a.q 1S'9~~~::.o.J~o_O.J1 1 The sun follows the rainbow The bride follows the groom

o_~9~CI\~~~::.1 1~0-1~'0-1~0)'9J9~1 1 What the earth cannot do without-water What the heart cannot do without-friendship

"'~9~0\a_~~~~o_~~tfj"~CI\1 1tG"O)ry0)'~"~~9'0)'tG'~1 1 In this world, if one has perseverance Knowledge is within one's palm

"'~9~0\~~~1;9~''1~~1 1~1;9~J;j~~f~::.f~::.~11 1 A man needs a companion for life Without one, the world truly is a desolate place

a_~if~~f'~"'1 1El9'if~~lll~1 1 Food should be taken According to one's digestion Work should be done According to one's ability

l.~O)'~O)a_q~:;.~~~O.j'c:J~~O) 1 1o_q~:;.~~~~O)'tU:l~9~~~ 1 1 If the public doesn't deceive its benevolent lord Then how can the lord 31bandon his loyal public?

~~~~~l~~~~'UJ::.'~9"''~~~~1 1 ~~~~~::.~l!f~~~'UJ::.'~9~~'1f~1 1 Do not take delight in things Promised for the future Do not fear beatings Threatened for the future

f~'4"'9~q~~q~~~::.1 1~q~"'9~q~~q~1 1 It takes 10 years for trees to grow And it takes 100 years for a virtuous man to develop

~ ~o.J~raro.J~r::J~o.!~1 1~ "f.S~'l'o.J~r::J~~1 1 It's the lama Who offers protection for fish It's the lama Who collects the tax for fish

~o.!llft::l~4~~1 1o.!~'f5%"~'J~t:,1 1 If one knows how to boil a fish's head It'll yield a cupful of fish-oil

~~~t:.s~~~o.J~~~1 1 When fish and water part Dead fish lie scattered

~;ro.~~o.~~o.J4~~1 1~~~~t:,~o.J~o.~~~~ur~, 1 For the fish uncouth in speed and movement The sharp hook will bait its life

~r::J~~~~s~~~1 1a.~~~~r::J~o.Jc5~~~~~1 1 It's no charity To kill a fish To feed a dog

~~ 'o.tfl~ ~~ ''J~ 4~ 'o.!fl~~ ~IS~ 1 When there's no listener It's wearisome for the speaker

~o.J~t:,o,~~4~~1 1t::l~~~~r::J~~~~~~1 1 If the humble can keep his place He provokes not the oppressionof any tyrant

~o.J'El~a.9fr::J'o.J'~r::J~'~ 1 1~"~r::Jlfo.!~~t:,~~fcl~ 1 1 When a creature in need of help

70

Is overlooked What use is one's compassion?

~~~r~c.~ry~~~~r;&\~~1 1~c.13'Q.~%,~~q~~&t~~1 1 The oratory of the weak bears no stature The wealth of the poor contains no splendour

~~~~c.s~~~~~c.q%,''~~~~~1 1~~i'~""'Ujq'Ujqs~Uic.1 1 Humility: too much Makes a man's back a saddle And his ears stirrups

~Cl.I'(Zl%,'i~&t~c.1 f~'(Zl%,'~ry~&t~c.1 1 Before sleeping There are some questions to be answered Before dying There are some statements to be made

~""z::tQ.~~r;""~~r;r.Ji!r; 1 l~ar~mcdf~Bi~s~c. ;~~~ 1 Nothing is more enjoyable than pleasant sleep Go ahead and cut one dre off my wages43

~ ~~Bi~~ ~UI~~c.1 1~~1fc.~~~~%, ~ U!Bj 1 1 Though the sun shines for all The attic sunshine is private property

~~~~~(Zl%,~ 1il~~~'(Zl%,'~')1 1 The setting sun is warmest Old age is the happiest

~ ~~Bj ~r;~~'Q.I''l~'l~1 1 aj''l'~ ~ ~r;~~~~'l ~""1 1 A cloudless sun sets on the horizon A cloudless moon shines till dawn

~~~~~c.~gj~~!.j~'Bj 1 1il'Ul''li!C.'C.~~Bj~4~1 1 A long acquaintance reveals The perfections and flaws in a person

,.~%,c;~%,c;~1 l~~l.l~~~~~~l 1 As the days get longer and longer So does tsampa get tastier and tastier

''~'Qj'~~ll]ry~l J".t:;'~Qj'Qj'~QJII] 1 A rebel: Turns his back on the benevolent sun And starts a rebellion in his own country

71

'ili "lc; a.~fc;s~~ "l~~"l~i.'!~J 1~~~~~~"l~~~l.la.. ~" ~t~ri'l~ 1 1 During the day No cattle to milk and feed During the night Np wealth to keep the mind attached

'ili~fl~~~Ujt:;"l l~~~~iiit~l 1 The day's sun can melt snow But the night's gloom cannot melt frost

'ili~~a.rs-"~a:i.'!~IIJi.'!~J 1~"\.EIIIJ%.c;~a..sr"l~~~ilf"i1 1 Rarity: A flower that blooms for 100 diys A friend that's constant for a lifetime

'iliii%.~11J'El~~~~il11J l~~"'ii~s"l~:~~~~~~l 1 During the day the whole hillside Becomes a world of eyes During the night all creaks and crevices Becon:.-:! a world of ears

'ili J.I-Cll"II]'~~Cll1 lAl"~llJ" "Qj'4"1'~"1 1 A wastrel: Sleeps while the sun shines Picks lice while the moon shines

72

~

!!]~~ ~~ ~ 'z:;]~4!1]~!1]~.;J1 1~fl

ry~ry~~~"s~, l~~~~~fl~l 1 A trustworthy donkey Should be given a trustworthy load

~rycil"fl"~~4"1 1~~~~~4"1 1 It's the mouth that lets words slip It's the hand that lets pots drop

~1Jcil"~~21f'11!J~I Jsq~~~~l"l~l I The start of negotiations is difficult The completion of tasks is difficult

~rycil~'1.'1"~rycil~cs~i)"~ar'11 Jt4'g'1-a~'1".~".~'1ii"~ar'1l 1 One can mistake Boastfulness and idle prattle Self-control and timidity

~rycii".Q~"LHj')"~"~t;,~~X,ll j~.Q~"')~~~~,;:::~t::~cii;\\"X,ll l Speak 100 times But the substance should have essence Stir curd 100 times But the yield should be butter

~ljcll"~ ~rs "~~~~~~lq~~1 1~1Jcilq-=~ "~rs "~~l~~q" ~9fql~a., 1 It's far better to go to hell Blessed with goodness Than to live in the human realm Burdened with ill-repute

~ljcil"~~~4'11 ,~.~~q~~~~~, 1 Words should be spoken to the face And a plait should be thrown behind one's back

9ry&l~ii;"9~~s~9'111tJ~~~1 1 The word that precedes Should endorse the word which follows

9ry&~~~9~1ll~J;i~CI\1 1~a;9~"~ij-~z:riir~CI\1 1 Advice: It's like a pattern on a stone The stone may break, but the pattern remains

9'J&~.z:Jry"ili ~9Fa.~lllii1~~~1 1~z:j~ili 111~~9~9ffi~ ii!~~~1 1 When a message is sent It should serve the purpose When a knife is unsheathed It,should have a target

9'7&1~9~"111~111z:j~1 1urz:j~9~"iliz:j?cf111z:j~1 1 Statements that are short Are easier to listen to Stirrups that are short Are easier to ride with

11Jry&l~"&l~lll&l9~~1lliilili ~ :i)~ 1 1 Alas! words and saliva Once spat out Know no retraction

"]ry&I~~CI\~~~"1 1~9~~;z:..t::~J.l~a,~lljz:j1 1 Advice: It rna~' be unpleasant to the ear Yet it stirs the heart

9'?J.l~":t;.4~tJca,J.l~ili:t;.~ilfili1 1i'~"~~tJca,~rrili:t;.~i1fili1 1 Rare gems: A guest who speaks truthfully A lord who has good intentions

75

76

~ry0-!~~~~~4~1 1~111~~~4~1 1 Direct questions don't get an answer But a question that waits with patience does

~ryo.~o.~~ ~ ;r~,~~ ~z::. ~ ~ ~~ 1 1 ClJo.J'~G ;r~,~~ ~6~~ ~ ~~ 1 1 The statement and an arrow Better that these be straight A road and a bow Better that these be curved

~ryo.~~~~sz::.s;T,_l:J~~~1 1ifl"~z::.~ClJ~~Uiz::.1 1 When pride rides a donkey Her dainty feet dangle on the ground

~ryo.~~'2l~~4~~11]~1 1~'af~~~~z::.~I!J~1 1 A statement without example is hard to follow Tea without salt is hard to swallow

~ryo.J'o.Jt:.:rr-l:l4~~~~11]~1 111f~~~:rr-~~~~9J'~II]~1 1 Too much talk makes comprehension difficult Too many clothes make walking a hindrance

~ryo.~~~l:l~~~~J.Jz::.1 1.i:!~~ClJ~'l:l~~~~~z::.1 1 Messages conveyed by mouth increase Provisions conveyed by haRd decrease

~ryo.J'ClJ'o.Jgcya;~~~z::.1 1~~z::.~o.~s;T,_~~~1 1 Words are not weapons But can rend a heart into pieces

~ryo.J'ClJl:l'~~~ '"~'l

t!]ryo.l~f

78

When a man is humility itself Don't treat him with arrogance

ry'~Oi'G'~Oi~~Oi'9~~1 1~~s~l:.I~UI~~~\&~'1 1 An old horse, an old dog, an old man Know much of life but less of gratitude

ry ~Oi ~~'l~~s ~z:.j~Oi ~~~; 1 1~9~~ ~ IIJi!~'l~'l'tJ'I:J.:j ~=lf~ ~~Oi 11 The old horse being treated for his sore back Will regard the act as evil The young pig being fattened in his sty Will regard the act as kindness

ry'~Oi~~~~1 1~'~0i~:SOi'~1 1 An older horse Is more experienced in travelling An older man Is more benevolent with help

ry'~Oi'Oi~~4 1E:I~~~'l~~af~:~~'l1 1 The old horse died last year But the dust he raised blows this year (To dig up old injuries)

ry~;~~9'l~'l~Oi1 16~0i~~~4~1 1 Burden an old horse with a heavy load And the sun shines for the old dog%

;'l~~9~l:.l"il:f;~~m'l~~~1 iq~~:~~~9~l:.lca.~~~~~~~~1 1 I may not out-run 100 horses But will certainly not lag behind 100 donkeys

ry'9~9~z~r9~~~~1 1'l~Oi'l:.I'9~9~W"Oi'l:.l'9~~1 1 You can't put two saddles on one horse You can't have two founders for one sect

ry'\&~~'l~Oi''l~l ,~.\&~~'l~~q~1 1 It's easier to sit astride a small horse

It's easier to command a humble man

iJ~~~Illlll~~r~~::.~~~1 1Sf"~~r~~lll~~~~::.~~~1 1 The three ornaments of the meadow are Horse, cattle and sheep The three ornaments of the fields are Barley, wheat and peas

;:t.fa;ll~~"l~~1 1~~Q,J~~ll'l.l~o,~Q,J1 1 Feed a horse with fodder For gratitude you get a kick

iJ:t.fJljt:.'C.J'~t:.'UJI::.'1 1C

80

ij~~Efll1'')"'1 1~~~~1'Eflll 1 A horse is judged by its saddle A man is judged by his work

1 ~~

A horse with A dzo's horns

~"l~~~"lx_'4'"1"'1 1"?Jx,1!J"lx_'a;"l 1 A togden.knows not his death-bed Nor a home for his strolling staff

~"l~~~i:)"l%"1't:IJ'Il'"l%'11 1~'11tri:l~"'t:IJ'Il'~r::.1 1 A wandering ascetic is one man with one pair of hands Bandits are several men with several pairs of hands

'f1"t ~z;j"f1~~x_"~~~t:IJf~1 1s~ 'iz;j~~~~x_"~~~~t:IJ~~1 1 If you want to see a show Look at your own body _If you want to receive a blessing Seek within your heart

~rs'?J.ft:ll1 Jt:ll~~;q"s'?J.t:IJ~l 1 A donkey's labour For a dog's crumb

~~"'t:IJ'il~1 1~"'~'t:IJ'z;jry"'1 1 It's the hen that feeds at home And lays her eggs outside

f"li!~'')~t:IJ't:IJ'')"l

82

~9~'a)"~~~~QI'il\1 1~9'~9'Q19'~~'QI'~il\1 1 Without entering a tiger's lair How can one capture its cubs?

~9'"" ~~~l:.JQ.'~QI'~il\ tl)il\ 1 1 A tiger without aggression Is an old monkey

~9~i""~~:.. oc:r~i""~~ 1 12f~~QI'a59~~~ 1 1 If the fox jumps Where the tiger leaps It will break its back

~9'~4'1l}EI~'f9~'~"'1 1""'4'""~i;)i!1 1 However hungry a tigress may be She'll not feed on herself

~9'9~~~~l;J~~1 19ry~:.."~~~:..1 1 Others kill the tiger But you get the honour

~9Q~~i""~~z;J~z:Js~ur~ill1 1'2fQI~~QI~"~z;J~~~ur~1 1 A tiger may leap in 18 different ways But the wolf can hide in 19 different holes

~9arl:.Ja. as9lf1 1ur~ar-l:.Ja. ~ltf'QI'~9 1 The misdeeds of the tiger-born Heaped upon the head of the hare-bom48

~:..~9'iii"'QI'l:J~9'il\'~%.,'~~~~l:.J~9~1 1 ~"~9~9'QI'l;J~9~ ~=..~9~9l:.J~e=..1 1 Keep the imp at home, he'll steal and feed himself on tsampa Keep the imp on the roof, he'll be carried off by the wind

~:..~:..~'N'9~'N'9 11il'~'~"~'ij"~~9~QI'%.,~1 1 Give! Give! Grab! Grab! These are the gifts of lamas and lords49

~;z;.L:JCJ.~~~l1 1L:J~z:::r.JCJ.~~z:r~l1 1 No gratitude for giving No money for selling

'f~ 'Elll.l~z::. 'Q,~L:JQ,~L:Jo.rs ~r~ 1 1l~~ ~"'''L:J'll'~ll.l~ll.Jqr~~rUTz::.1 1 If autumn brings not the gusty wind From where will winter get her glow?

'fL:J~'Q.S ;z;. '"''t:.Q.'Elt:. ~~r~z::.1 1 ~~'ll~~ll.l&lll~z::.1 1 However prosperous one be One shouldn't spoil one's child

L:l\J~ :tr~L:Jm~'-lllz::.UJz::. ~"1 1 Caution has betrayed no man

83

L:J'?;{'L:J'"''Ei~ ~~!::.~Ill~;!\ ~ll'll.l~'"''fL:J1 1 &~~UJ~z::. 'Ill~!::. ~~r.J~t:. 'Q.J~'""''Q,'L:J1 1 In him pride sits higher Than the monastery's golden top But his birth is lower Than Yarlung's garbage dump

L:J~L:JCJ. &llll" z::.Flll'-lCJ. ~z::.1 1 He's the eye that sees And the heart that beats

L:J~~"''Eit:.'ll~lll~'ll~ll.l'W~'L:J~~"'!CJ."'111f1 Discern with clarity: A nun's bare head is Still a nun's bare head

L:Jfl'"'~'"'~fl~'~'L:Jfl;z;. 'iil'r.J'Ul~ 1 1 iil'"'~'"'~fl~'q'Q, 'ii"';l\ 'L:Jfl'r.J~Ul~ 1 1 Praise becomes an insult When a man lacks the art of eulogy An insult becomes praise When a man lacks the art of sarcasm

El~~"~ry~~ ~"'UJ"'ilf 1El~~a;~ry~~ :sr~l,J~i!f~ 1 1 Gossip: The farther the place, the sooner you will hear the news The nearer the place, the more rare the news

El~'~"~ry~~~~z;J~~~~~z;J~~1 1 Gossip from a distant place Is half truth and half untruth

El~'~" ~'l.lq_Sf~Q]~r~ 1 1~ 'Z:J~ ~~~q_i!fq_~ll]~-r~Q]~IJ 1 To travel afar One has to start from the nearest point

El"'z;J~ :rr "'~ ~'l4'.f'l.I'El''l.l1 1Q,~~~~:rr "~~'!'~*~~ 'l,J~ ~1 1 On the plain of comfort Man sings, "Ah Ia tha Ia" On the ridge of struggle Man prays "Lama Orgyen Pema"50

El"'~'l.l~:_=~1 1fl'~ll]~'l,J'~~1 1 To feel tired in bed And to feel thirsty in the morning

Elz:J'~"''l.l'i!'a)'z;J1 1 A smaller stove A warmer fire

flz;J~~lf~~~~-8"Qj~~:_~1 1~~q_9)~~"~~~Q,~::I\'z:J'i~'l,J~''l.l~l 1 It's better to negotiate Than to put a knife, a spear And an arrow to the test Only to prove oneself a fool

.Ellll''J'!ll~o;r

86

~~(\J~~~~Ui~~c:.1 1~91.Jl'Z:p::~~~(\J1 1 You may desire a beard But even your cheeks Cannot grow a single hair

~~(\Jl'a.~~(\J~Ui~~Uic:.'1 1~~q'Q.~Clic:.~~~~Uic:.1 1 Devoid of the ring of faith The hook of compassion is useless

~Qj(IJ'~ ~~ ~~(\J'fQ]'CJ'.Jl' "'1 1=lQl~ ~') q~(\J'~(!!Qj(IJ'CJ'.Jl'"'l 1 Never so hungry as on a day of feasting Never so cold as on a day of adornment

~') ~~.Jl:l\ ~ 'Q~~ ~') 1 1.Jl:l\ ~') ~ ' :~;.Q. ~Qj(\J''fft:. ~ ') 1 1 Thu is rendered tasty by butter Otherwise it's just a ball of cheese

Er~~'9~'~.Jl~QS!Q1 1~~:~;.~~~c:.~QS!Q1 1 The thunderbolt fell in Ngalam52

The tremor was felt in Lachi53

El')'q'Q.~J:j-Q~Q~~Q~~')1 1~'~(\J~~~~~~(IJ'.Jl~~~')"l~1 1 The lines of fate upon one's forehead with obliteration do not go away Wiser the man who moves in harmony In accordance with his fate's decree

E:l~~c:.c:.~~~1 1.Jlc:.Er~c:.~llJ~c:.1 1 Less comprehension, more pride More comprehension, less pride

fl(\J'CJ'S1'~~1 1.JlflC:.'Q'~~~~"l 1 Better than 100 rantings Is one perception

When compatible people live together There's happiness When incompatible people live on theic own There's unhappiness

~~~:t:l-~'9~~"~t3~1 1~~~~~:r.."t3fi~~&l:)1 1 If compatible, happiness comes in being together If incompatible, happiness comes in being apart

~'Ef~"~~~t3~:r..1 1~~~~"~~~t3~t3~1 1 Where one handspan has reached An arm's length has not

~Er-~l:)~~~l:)~~~t3~~1 1 A promotion may usher in happiness But a subordinate post is steadfast

~Er-~~~~~1:)~~~1:)~~1 1~~~~~~~~s~~r.JU!~1 1 'Tis better to be low than be high For the lowly are beloved by all

~'Ef~~~fl~"UJ"~~~Cll~~~ 11:)ci.l~~~~UJ"~~~ci.l~:r.. ~~ 1 Above, the sky is wide But the pathways are narrow Below, the field is open But the law is narrow

~'Er-tJ'Cl.s~Cll~(~~~ 1 11:)ci.l~ :Sa:~UJ""Cll"~"1 1 If one ascends the cliff of the high Om is flung into the abyss of the low

cJ.lEi"~".~""t3"ai~"r.J"~1 11:)'11:r..~"~~"t3~~~~~1 1 The higher and longer an object is The easier it is for it to break The whiter and cleaner an object is The easier it is for it to be black

87

88

o.!~~~ltj~~~Ui"'''Ql Jo.!'Q~~~Itj~'~~a.!:z:.'ill 1 To wrap a curtain around the torma In case someone sees it To light a butterlamp in front of it In case someone doesn't (Doing nothing right)

"a_Sf~~~~~~a_~~~1 1~~,~~~~~~~J.JS~1 1 When the time draws near for battle The coward wishes to rush forth When the war cries ring out, "Kyi-hi! kyi-hi!" The coward's trousers fall off

"~"r.j"~t:_~~~1 1J.I""~."~Ql"l;J1 1 Purity is Buddhahood Impurity is hell

"J.I~~~~" J,J~ar~~9Jill"lll1 1a_s "l.l"Uit:.J.Jiii~lll~" ~"~a_ 1 1 In a spiritual assembly of great harmony It's better not to house a spherical boulder of a di!y_jl

"~~~"9]"Uit:."~~~ 1 1~"~~~~~Uit:.""9] 1 Prosperity makes even enemies into friends Poverty makes even relatives into enemies

~~"%Ql"Cl,::i"z:J~~~~~J.I1 1?"~"Cl,::i"z:J0."J.Jtlf~~~J.I1 1 A deceiver possesses: A double-pronged tongue like a poisonous snake A double-face like a damaru

~~"%1ll"2f~~~l;JIll~1 1z:J4~"r.j"'9l"~l::_"l;J~~l;J"~Cl,1 1 It's better to sharpen A bul..:her's slaughtering knife Rather than see a poisonous snake Receiving the holy Dharma

~"""'lJ~ ~l;J"~~~"'l1~~"1 1~1ll~~~l;J"~~~~"1~"1 1 Grind a white conch-shell It's white throughout

90

Grind black charcoal It's black throughout

~r::.~~~~~~~~r'-1~1 1~9J~~~i::.~~~rq~z:~~~1 1 When a man nourishes a baby conch on milk54 He hopes to use it to fend off crocodiles

~'X_r::.4:J~~~t:_'1 1~t:.~~4~a;-~t:_'1 1 Die today-a short life Die tomorrow-a long life

t{~~QJ~~QJ~~~~~r::.1 1~~'-l~~~QJ~~a)~l 1 With matters of gravity deal carefully With prayers say repeatedly

t{~~~QJ~'QJ'~~~~'-l~r::.r::.aJ'~~1 1 To indulge in unnecessary work Is to create trouble for oneself

t{~QJ~~~~~~~4~~1 1~fl~'-l~~Uir::.G~~;~~1 1 When the circumstances are not examined Before one speaks Even a clever man is No better than a blundering fool

~r::.~~~~!1l'fl~~~~~~~~1 1~~~~or~~'-l~~~~a.t{~1 1 Truth is accepted everywhere Lies none have an ear for

~r::_~~4~~~~~~Q.1 1~~'-l~~~6~~~Q.1 1 When truth is uttered people dislike it When a stick is carried dogs dislike it

~r::.~~~s~~rr~~ 1s~~~~~s~rq~1 1 Whoever is just is a leader Whoever is loving is a parent

Even god fears A man of truth

~"~~lll~"~"~1 1lf~::.~ijelll 1 It's possible for truth to follow a middle path It's possible for an egg to bear the weight of a horse

~~~lj'1r.j"d;~t:_~~::.~~1 101EI~~lll~~~::.~lll~t:.~~lll~'1J 1 It's the wild, cunning restless one Who robs himself of his life

~"\~OJ~::.~UT~::.~OJ~::.1 1 Too many ideas Lead to too many activities

SiSf~~ z;r01~'1 !J~lll~~'1 1 1~'1"~ 01~'1 !J4~~'1 1 1 Without one's loving parents one suffers Without the sun and fire one dies

s~~~'lllll!J~~l:J~"~'9~1 1 To stone the hand That shows kindness

s~ Cli~CI)Cll~ Olr.~.t;Cll~ 1 11:J~014~~"!Ja.rs""c:~.~1 1 The man without gratitude For a kind deed done Is akin to a dog Lacking in discerning thought

$'llslll~~Cll~"lll~~1 lfZllll~lll'll~lll~~1 1 Hypocrisy: A bell with two so~ds A man with two tongues

~ '1 ~~::. Q)~c:~.~ z:Jc:~.~"\ !Ja. Cll~01s '1 1 1 A task is no task If it means catching marmots As the yellow bear does55

91

92

'lj~t:.t:.~~~I:J~'lf5t:.'~l:)1 1 Happier being a spinster Than marriage to an ugly husband

'lj~t:.'tJ'[S'Ij'~l:)'~'"l~~~~1 1'Ea)~~Uii:)'~'')Sl'l:)'ljt:l,1 1 It's better to know an enemy who feels shame and modesty Than to have a relative who is shameless

l:ll:)!lj~'lj''lj~t:.'tJ'Q.~ 1~'1:)t:.~'tJ'Ij't:.'~1 1~~1ll~~!lj'G.l'SJ 1 For us, children of Tsang A swig of chang and A bite of barley will Make hard work not distasteful

l:ll:)!lj~~~!lj%!1j 1~~G.l~~I:J~1 1 The clever servant has 100-goats And the poor owner has only one

l:ll:)!lj~~s')sl:)!ljUl~~~~sl:)1 1 The borrower shouldn't do What the owner does

l:ll:) 'lj'~'lj~t:. 'I:) G.l!lj'1!'1:J~ Uil:) 1 19G.l'tJ'~~ ~ 'G.j'~'t:l,~ 'lj'!lji.l1 1 We are 500 soldiers of Tsang Are there any bandits at Gamba-La?56

l:l~l:)'fl:l~''Z}Il]~'~'Ult:.'l:)'~'~t:.~~~I:J~~ 1 1 However strong the devil may be Truth till now is on Buddha's side

I:J~~a,~"l'~flG.~~f"l:)~~1 11:J~'I:)I:lt:.~~~"l~~sl:)1 1 In a quarrel where two truthful men face each other Qnly the highest judge in the land arbitrates

I:J~~'tJ'Uil:)~~4\~~1:)1 1~'G.ja)~Uil:)~t:.I:JS]t:.'~'~l:)1 1 Although the truth be present There is no place to voice it

Although reason be present There's no person to account for it

l:l~a:,~~r:~l 1s~~~~~1 1 The truth belongs to you But the effort is put in by others (To take credit for work done by others)

l:l~a:,UI~~~IIJ~~a..~~~l Jl:l~~~~~~a..S:f~~~1 1 An honest man can set up hqme anywhere A dishonest man has no place to go

l;J~O:, ~~ ~ll],~'llJ'::!'~IIJ'Ul~ 1 1 ~a:, 'f-l~'~'ll]'~~::t~IIJ~~ 1 1 Truth and country know length and breadth Lies and deceit know none

93

~~a.. ~~~Ja:, s ~~~ ~a..s~~fl:l~1 1~~J4~~J~~~~Ja:, rql;l=l ~ ~s~fl:l~1 1 If you let fly an arrow Hit the drong of Changthang If you want an argument Choose a refined father's son (Anything worth doing should be well done)

~~a..IIJ%11]~~4'l:l'IIJ'~q~~ 1 1 To kill two deer With a single arrow

~~a..a..~a:,~a..[~q1 1 The arrow should Reach the target

~~a..a..~a:,~~a..f"~q~ilf~1 1 An arrow's job is to hit the target

~~a..4~a:,~~~J~~~1 1~~~4~~~~a:,s~~J~~1 1 When one knows archery Then only is a bow bought

94

When one knows medicine Then only is a medicine bag57 bought

~~~~~~~~~~~1 1~~~a.:s~~r;-:~~r:.1 1 To the face Obeisance paid as to a god At the back Curses thrown as to a devil

~~~lr:.s-~~~~t::.~1 1 To have an ugly form But to possess a wonderful flavour

a.s4~ClJz::Jt;~ ua'=\~z:JClJz:J~"~1 1 To cast the torma towards the west Whilst the devil dwells in the east

~'=\11]~ ~.El~~ClJz:JClJ1 1~~~~UI~r,Ja;~~~ ~'=\1 1 \'\'hen limestone rolls off there's no cause For a black slate to be broken

~~".UI"~~~ 1 A pebble may be small But it'll break an earthen pot

~~"~fll:l1 1 Snow gathers on stones According to their size

~?i.Er~ClJs ~'-l?i. r~r~~~ 1 1 A child's fist Cannot smash the thunderbolt

~ClJ~~l:l'=\~s~~~~sur"1 1~~~ClJ~~l:l'=\~s~~~ar"-ur"1 1 A jewel Is a stone that's abraded A mirror Is a metal that's abraded

~l~:tr"ClJ~~~ 1a."ffi~~ClJ~~fl~'-l1 1 He can sit more still than a rabbit He can move more stealthily than a cat

~~~~'=\~Cllz:J~a.~~1 11~'-lsar~~~~~1 1 There's no doubt A sinner will descend to hell Just as a brazen money-lender Will get his interest

~~~~'=\~Cllz:J~ a.!f~~ ~ 1 1l:l~'=\~o.J~~~~ a.z:J~ qU)~ 1 1 Before a sinner's descent to hell His fortune blazes like a fire (Before disaster, the pinnacle of fortune comes)

95

96

~~~cJ.I11t:.~~~QJ'z;:J'~'QJ'cJ.I~~ 1 1 When a toad comprehends sin He aspires to be a god

~~~~cJ.I~l1'j~'~t:.'1 1~QJ'c.J'~~l1'J~1 1 Just as salt burns a frog's skin So does sin spread like a grease spot

~~~'Ci:~~~::.~z;:JQJ~s:2\1 1fl~~~cJ.Il1'J~"cJ.i~~~~1 1 Carrying a cauldron of sins Yet uttering a mouthful of mantras

~!1'j'lil'cJ.I~'z;:J~~~~~Q,:~~1 1~~~!l~~~~u:J~~~~~~cJ.I1 1 If the lama commits sins, who will guide? If the lord judges with partiality, who will mediate?

~~f

~a.~l~~a;J~a.~a;JUJt::."~1 1~ili~a.~l~~~~'a,z:rUJt::."~ili~~1 1 When the time comes to be sick Even a doctor's mother falls ill When the time co