"The Coral Necklace."

Advice that Clearly Shows How to Realize Others' Kindness as a Means to Develop Affectionate Love.

A poem written by

Venerable Thupten Rinpoche

© Copyright Thupten Tulku & Dhargyey Buddhist Centre, 1997.

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Homage to the greatest of Shakyas
Who with wisdom sees all knowables,
Compassionate is hailed as the glorious Leader of his followers,
And with elegant skill expounds the profound and the vast Dharma.


To cherish self is a donkey with elegant bray!
To cherish others is an intelligent steed.
Presented here is a fresh perspective
To see good and bad, benefit and harm.


Though one cherish oneself intensely
Could one survive without others' support?
Though stately are the mountains, rocks, forests and buildings
Could they stand without the Earth?


Even one's body, lovingly cared for,
Has come from two seeds given by others.
Though a porcelain cup is pretty and pleasing
Is not the clay, the other, its cause?


Though one may have a voice melodious and lovely
Without others to admire it there's only self-praise;
Behold how the cuckoo, long ages in the forest,
Has no-one to acclaim its beautiful song.


Though one may indeed be skilled in narration
Without others to hear it it's like a dog's bark;
Isn't the quality of theatrical performance
Rated by others' critical acclaim?


Though one may indeed have physical prowess
How could it be known without challenge from others?
Like attractive food displayed in glass
It decays when not tested by others.


Though one may have supreme athletic skills
Without others to compete with, what use would they be?
How good a restaurant is
Is known by the number of patrons.


Only from others does recognition and pride,
The envied title, "a scholar" come;
Haven't one's foodstuffs -- rice, wheat and so on --
Come from the back-breaking toil of farmers?


The dress that looks so elegant on one
Has not appeared inherently, of itself;
Hasn't the artist done the painting
That depicts the beauty of landscape?


Though charming is one's dwelling place
How could it be a magical creation?
Like a botanical garden of flowers and plants
It was made by the efforts of others.


Though one may have food and drinks at need
Have they fallen from the clouds like rain?
Behold how instead they are produced
By the many endeavours of farmers and craftsmen.


Not in the forest without anyone's effort
Have sprung up the host of wheeled vehicles
In which one moves about every day;
Consider how they are instead produced
By the collective efforts of many others --
Those who work with machines.


In brief, all things --
From one's body to daily necessities --
Have come from the kind actions of others:
What would one have achieved alone?


Hence thinking of the kindness of others,
Hold others more precious than self;
Seeing others as friends and relations
Stop harm and aggression towards them:
Instead think and act to serve them.


May the steed of my special resolve for others
Pull the wheel of intention to work for others
And take me to the Glorious State to lead others
To the state of a Buddha, perfected for others.

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Colophon: Hoping it would be of some benefit to others I, Thupten Tulku of Trehor House of Sera Je College, have written on the spur of the moment, as these ideas sprang to my mind, "The Coral Necklace", a piece of advice that clearly shows how to come to realize others' kindness as a means to develop and feel affectionate love.

Translated from the Tibetan by Losang Dawa.

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