Song of Realization by Tsongkhapa, Part 2 of 2

The teachings of Tibetan Buddhism focus on an awareness of death and the ephemeral nature of life, leading to diligence in meditation and spiritual practice. We now continue with excerpts from “Song of Realization,” an autobiography by the Venerated Master Tsongkhapa describing His own spiritual studies and practice. “With a firm, intense, and enduring faith in Manjusri, Best at banishing the darkness from the disciple’s mind, I prayed that all the teachings might dawn as training, And I applied myself to all the requisite conditions. Thinking this over, how well my destiny was fulfilled! Thank you so much, O Holy Wisdom Treasure! Working in that way, I found a special certainty In the stages of the path of enlightenment, The tradition descended from Nagarjuna and Asanga, And the Transcendent Wisdom, best book on the profound, Dawned as a practical training. …In order to extend enormously my own virtue, And to show the entrance without error in a way appropriate To the many fortunate persons of clear discernment, I wrote this record of my education. By the mass of virtues thus attained, May all beings, through this same procedure, Maintain the unexcelled discipline of the Buddha, And enter the path that pleases all the Victors!”