Lady of the dharmadhatu, Samantabhadri;

Mother of the four types of superior beings1, Prajnaparamita;

And protector of us Tibetans, appearing as if our own mother, Illustrious lady, Yeshe Tsogyal, hold us in your protective care.

With the support of a human life endowed with freedoms, that is like a budding sprout of accomplishment,

You entered the door of the sutras and tantras, receiving ripening empowerments and liberating instructions.

If you heed my counsel now, there is no doubt you’ll cross the ocean of samsara and reach liberation’s shore.

The direct path of secret mantra is to look at the nature of your mind― luminosity and emptiness without partiality.

You have never been separated from this suchness.

Have confidence and don’t be distracted―hold it with mindfulness.

Everything, be it of samsara or nirvana, is mistaken―a mere imputation.

Understand all is emptiness, beyond word, thought and explanation.

Don’t chase after mirages, the illusions of happiness and suffering!

Whatever good or bad action occurs is set free the moment it arises.

This has always been the experience of sentient beings,

Yet, not recognizing the natural state, they follow an erroneous path.

Aspire to realize the suchness of compassion!

The natural state, naked awareness and emptiness without any contrivance is the ultimate Padmasambhava.

If, with respect and longing, you supplicate him as such, no matter what happens, be it happy or sad, you’ll never be parted.

Before too long, I shall certainly behold your joyful face again. Until that time, keep ripening the fruit of your virtue.

I seal this profound aspiration with benevolence and bodhicitta, And offer it from within the unfailing protection of refuge.

This pith instruction was written to a noble student by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

It is in the Collected Works of Dilgo Khyentse Vol. 3, Collected Pieces of Advice.

Translated by Sean Price, 2023.

1 ‘Phags bzhi. Hearers, solitary realizers, bodhisattvas and buddhas.