Kongpo Lama
Yeshe Tsondru
(1761 – 1816)
“Those who now appear to be enemies have been my mother many times in former lives. They have nursed me with milk, cared for me with love, worked for my welfare, and protected me from all harm. Those who now appear to be friends have been my worst enemy in former lives. Numerous times they beat, killed and ate me alive. (This is what Buddha) taught. Those who now appear to be neutral have been my friends and enemies in many previous lives. With anger they troubled and harmed me and with compassion they considered my welfare countless times. Therefore, among all those beings, to whom should I be attached? For whom should I feel hatred? Without discriminating with attachment and hatred, I shall now think of them all as my friends.”
From The Essence of Nectar – Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by Kongpo Lama Yeshe Tsondru As translated in: The Essence of Nectar by Yeshe Tsondru. Translated by Geshe Lobsang Tharchin with Benjamin and Deborah Alterman. Library of Tibetan Work and Archives.