Other translations:

No Birth, No Base, and No Union

What defines appearances is that they’ve never been born,
If birth seems to happen, it’s just clinging, nothing more.
What defines samsara is its lack of a base or a root,
If there is a base or root, that’s only a thought.

What defines the mind is union, inseparability,
If you separate its aspects, you’re hooked on some view.
What defines the true lamas is that they hold a lineage,
The ones who make stuff up are just being dumb.

The mind’s basic reality is like the clear and open sky,
But the dark clouds of thoughts just cover it all up.
So let the lama’s pith advice
Be the wind that blows those clouds away.

Even confused thoughts themselves are clear light that shines so brilliantly,
Experiences so bright like sun and moonlight,
Without any direction, clarity shines timelessly,
You cannot find it, so you can’t say what it is.

So many kinds of certainty shine like the stars in the sky.
Whatever arises is the greatest bliss,
Its nature is simplicity, the Dharmakaya’s expanse.
The six conditional appearances are empty naturally.

This natural flow is effortless, there’s not a klesha in sight.
Within this basic state, completely relaxed,
Wisdom without fixation abides continuously.
The three kayas inseparable—the greatest miracle!


Under the guidance of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, translated by Anne Burchardi and Ari Goldfield, August 16, 1998.  Tibetan page 300. Translation revised June 1, 2003. Translation copyright 2012, Ari Goldfield.