The Sun Within

The days are really very cold!

But, when the sun peeks from behind the clouds

–instantly–

It is as if the earth returns to summer again.

I see long grasses beside the road

Blown by the winds,

Lying supine on the ground.

When the sun’s rays scatter they become strands of silver.

Some strands wear dewdrops–

As light shines through them

They are adorned with diamonds,

Sparkling and resplendent.

Though I am ill

The sun generously offers me warmth,

Its light and heat beam into the depths of my heart.

I cannot help but marvel:

No matter how cold the frigid earth,

No matter how frightening the winter’s chills,

With only the rise of the sun

Warmth descends upon us all.

With only the rise of the sun,

The world is luminous.

Regardless of the iciness of samsara,

As long as the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are here,

They are suns–

Emitting a splendour that outshines the shadow of samsara.

With them,

The ocean of suffering is lit with beauty.

Their light of compassion and wisdom

–akin to a mother’s gentle hands–

Softly descends upon the crowns of living beings terrified by the cycles of living and dying.

So,

Do not fear samsara’s coldness.

Do not fear samsara’s bleakness.

For as long as we give rise to a heart as resplendent as the sun

–full of altruism and the wisdom of emptiness–

We can bring warmth to all of samsara,

We can soothe all beings’ fears, and

We can illuminate heaven and earth.

This is the Bodhisattva!

The sun needs no company,

Diligently–tirelessly–it emits powerful warmth and light:

The sullen earth evolves into a sea of colour,

The sky is luminous,

The ocean wears a blanket of blue, and

The little hearts in the world feel love–

As if basking in a mother’s embrace.

This is the sun’s brilliance and energy.

If our hearts emit this kind of light

–compassionate and wise–

Samsara’s darkness will withdraw,

Samsara’s coldness will disintegrate.

There is no need for company–

For the instant the heart gives rise to such powerful resplendent altruism and emptiness,

It transcends all boundaries to help all beings.

How exhilarating is this dream?

Recalling it our fingers curl into fists and our eyes brim with tears.

It is exciting–

Stopping so many in their tracks,

Encouraging countless lives, and

Rousing innumerable hearts.

How I yearn to accomplish it!–

Even if it takes decades, lifetimes, or eons of effort,

If only so that one day I can embody a heart as passionate as the sun–

A heart that never wilts,

A heart that never freezes,

A heart that never surrenders

–that only emanates light, warmth, and strength–

A heart that helps all beings live and prosper!

How marvelous is this dream?

A heart so vast it swallows the oceans and encompasses the skies,

A heart so steadfast it shoulders the paths of all living beings

–joyfully!–

Nurturing their sincerest dreams

Of leaving suffering and attaining happiness forever.

A wonder,

The beautiful rainbow heart.

Once it is ours,

What more

Will we wish for?

It eliminates a sea of suffering

–aging, sickness, death–

It relieves ignorance and poverty

–never desolate, never afraid, never lonely–

The magnificent sun-heart!

Swiftly,

May it rise!

Swiftly,

May it rise!

Translated by Amrita Translation Foundation
Author: Zhen-Ru
Translator: Kacy Lin
Chief Editors: Ven. Alick
Editors: Ven. Elena, Ven. Sonia, Ven. Tina, Lori Wu, Jingli Wang