Eight Flashing Lances

Gyalwa Gotsangpa lived between 1189 and 1258, and was recognized as an emanation of Milarepa. He was in some respects unusual, because he made a vow never to meditate in the same place twice. Once he stayed somewhere, he never returned. He is not particularly well-known among Western dharma students, but he is actually quite famous among Tibetans. In 2005, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso gave a commentary, subsequently translated into English, on one source of Gotsangpa's fame: his song of realization, The Eight Flashing Lances. You can read this commentary in Buddhadharma, Winter 2006. Herewith is the text of The Eight Flashing Lances itself, translated by Jim Scott.

Why here? Why now? Because it seems appropriate, and beneficial to others, who are struggling to understand that which effortlessly understands them. That is, after all, this song's intention: the reason it came into being, and the reason it finds you -- here, and now.

To that paragon, the dharmakaya, treasure isle
And the treasure too, sambhogakaya’s range of forms
Who as nirmanakaya fills the needs of beings
To the precious lord I bow respectfully

Decisive understanding of your basic being
No bias toward samsara or nirvana
Conviction reached, you change your mind no more
These are three which render view unhindered
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky

Cutting through the root, it holds its own ground
Sixfold consciousness unspoiled by artifice
Free of effort aimed at recollection
These are three which make meditation fully free
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky

Experiences just naturally unhindered
Free of fear, depression, and anxiety
The triumph over all perceived/perceiver split
These are three which render conduct fully free
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky

The kayas, five, pristinely self-occurring
Directly manifest in your experience
Ambition for achieving buddhahood consumed
These are three which make fruition fully free
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky

Transgressions, downfalls pure from the beginning
Experience: stainless clarity and emptiness
When you have made your peace with self-importance
These are three which make samaya fully free
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky

Self-concern’s ambitions are exhausted
Uplifting waves of love without contention
Tireless, relentless, not self-seeking
These are three which make compassion fully free
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky

The murkiness of clinging clarified Causes and conditions,
like reflections Knowing what to do and not, that subtle art
These are three which make relations fully free
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky

Prayers of aspiration long sent, wakening
Whatever’s done contributing to benefit
Effortless spontaneous performance
These three make activity unhindered
Like a lance that flashes free in the open sky

This tune upon this well-known site in Chungkar
That tells of eight whole lances flashing freely
Borne on the blessing waves of able gurus
Appeared in mind and now has been
put to song.