Lama Atisha
Dipamkara
(982–1054)
“If it possessed physical form,
The merit of the altruistic intention
Would completely fill the whole of space
And exceed even that.
If someone were to fill with jewels
As many buddha fields as there are grains
Of sand in the Ganges
To offer to the Protector of the World,
This would be surpassed by
The gift of folding one’s hands
And inclining one’s mind to enlightenment,
For such is limitless.”
From Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment by Jowo Je Atisha As translated in: The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment by Atisha Dipamkarashrijnana, translated by Ruth Sonam, included in Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment: A Commentary on Atisha Dipamkara Shrijnanas’ ‘A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment’ and Lama Je Tsong Khapa’s ‘Lines of Experience’ by Tenzin Gyatso, His Holines the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Translated by Geshe Thupten Jinpa. Produced by the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archives for Thubten Dhargye Ling Publications. PDF available from Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.