The 17th Karmapa of the North

Alas, the worst of evil times has now arrived!
The manifestations of evil spirits have spread everywhere.
Noble son, you should strive for the benefit of all mother-sentient beings,
And open the treasure door of space-dwelling Sikkim. (1)

Lead the fortunate ones on the path of the Dharma.
Alas, alas, how pitiful are sentient beings!
It is indeed a pity that Tibetans are without happiness.
The ever changing time has many phases. (2)

Although the Golden Vase is placed in the centre,
And is filled with sanctified nectar,
The silk ribbons that wrap the outside are eaten by the Moth.
How could it be able to bestow its elixir? (3)

From the Five Peaked mountain in east China,
The seed of the white rice is sown in Tibet.
Failing to produce good harvest,
It is the cause of famine in Tibet. (4)

A great destructive cyclone will arise from the eastern mountain.
It strikes the heart of the big sky-lake (Namsto Chukmo) in the north.
The lake of blood will rise upwards in the wind,
And will inspire the ferocity of evil spirits. (5)

Central Ladakh will be flooded with the lake of blood,
And the drops will fall in U and Tsang (provinces).
Alas, pitiful indeed are the two lands of U and Tsang.
A house made of flesh will be built near Mount Kailash. (6)

As the big river of the semen of the western elephant,
Washes away all the mountains and valleys of U and Tsang,
Tibet will be forced to enter into the darkness of non-virtues.
However pitiful, there is no means of rescue. (7)

In the gracious Palace of Pemako,
Dwells the great being in royal stability.
The great mantra holder of upper Tsang,
Will flourish like a great lion in Bhutan. (8)

Though Shri Devi is skilled in guarding the ceremonial arrow,
The great storm will blow the silk away to the north.
The forceful cracking sound of the great mountain,
Will cause the heavy fall of rocks in the valleys in U and Tsang. (9)

How could any happiness arise from this for the Tibetans?
The Tibetan orphans without a father are indeed lost.
They are like wild beasts who have nobody to care for them.
Now that you have freedom why not journey to the hidden lands? (10)

The way that the storm is billowing from the east,
Indicates that the big fire will blaze in the west.
When one is circled by fire from all directions,
How could one have the freedom to escape? (11)

The miser's wealth is wealth for the enemy.
Your loved ones become the enemy's friends,
In the present time when one enjoys freedom,
And one is just like a sheep in the hands of a butcher. (12)

Make offering to the Triple Gem and practise charity for the poor.
Be of service to the noble assembly,
And learn to dwell in the hidden land of solitude.
However, there is not a single moment when everything is fine. (13)

I swear this oath to myself.
So saying the Guru vanished in the sky.
After I regained consciousness I wrote and sent this to U and Tsang.
May all be auspicious! (14)