The Eight Realizations of Great Beings (feat. Sr True Vow)

Wholeheartedly, day and night

Disciples of the Awakened One should recite

And meditate on the Eight Realizations discovered by the Great Beings

The First Realization is the awareness that the world is impermanent

Political regimes are subject to fall

Things composed of the four elements are empty

Containing within them the seeds of suffering

Human beings are composed of Five Aggregates and are without a separate self

They are always in the process of change

Constantly being born and constantly dying

They are empty of self and without a separate existence

The mind is the source of all confusion

And the body the forest of all unwholesome actions

Meditating on this, you can be released from the round of birth and death

The Second Realization is the awareness that more desire brings more suffering

All hardships in daily life arise from greed and desire

Those with little desire and ambition are able to relax their body and mind

Free from entanglement

The Third Realization is the awareness that the human mind is always searching outside itself

And never feels fulfilled

This brings about unwholesome activity

Bodhisattvas, on the other hand, know the value of having few desires

They live simply and peacefully

So they can devote themselves to practicing the Way

They regard the realization of perfect understanding to be their only career

Only career

The Fourth Realization is the awareness that indolence is an obstacle to practice

You must practice diligently to transform

Unwholesome mental states that bind you

And you must conquer the four kinds of Māra

In order to free yourself

From the prisons of the Five Aggregates and the three worlds

And the three worlds

The Fifth Realization is the awareness that ignorance is the cause of the endless round of birth and death

Bodhisattvas always listen to and learn from others

So their understanding and skillful means can develop

And so they can teach living beings and bring them Great Joy

Great Joy

Great Joy

Great Joy

The Sixth Realization is the awareness that poverty creates hatred and anger

Which creates a vicious cycle of negative thoughts and actions

When practicing generosity, Bodhisattvas consider everyone

Friends and enemies alike, to be equal

They do not condemn anyone's past wrongdoings

Or hate even those presently causing harm

The Seventh Realization is the awareness that the five categories of sensual desire

Money, sex, fame, overeating, and oversleeping lead to problems

Although you are in the world, try not to be caught in worldly matters

A monk, for example, has in his possession only three robes and one bowl

He lives simply in order to practice the Way

His precepts keep him free from attachment to worldly things

And he treats everyone equally and with compassion

The Eighth Realization is the awareness that the fire of birth and death is raging

Causing endless suffering everywhere

Take the Great Vow to help all beings, to suffer with all beings

And to guide all beings to the Realm of Great Joy

Great Joy (Great Joy)

These Eight Realizations are the discoveries of Great Beings

Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who have practiced diligently the Way of understanding and love

They have sailed the Dharmakāya boat to the shore of Nirvana

And have then returned to the ordinary world

Free of the five sensual desires

Their minds and hearts directed toward the Noble Way

Using these Eight Realizations, they help all beings recognize the suffering in the world

If the disciples of the Buddha recite and meditate on these Eight Realizations

They will put an end to countless misunderstandings and difficulties

And progress toward enlightenment

Leaving behind the world of birth and death

Dwelling forever in peace