1.

Recite one Mani

Recite ten Mani

Recite one hundred, one thousand Mani

Pray ! Ten thousand, one hundred thousand Mani !

 

Countless are the spirits of those who have died

Endless the warm spilt blood, the flowing river.

 

Thus with each and every Mani

Shall come immeasurable grief and compassion

Love, affection and untainted prayer.

 2.

Light one splendid butter lamp

Light ten splendid butter lamps

One hundred, one thousand splendid butter lamps

Give the light of ten thousand, one hundred thousand superb butter lamps !

 

How long and obscure the darkness into which we have fallen

How cruel the invasive violence of the lashing rainy wind.

 

Thus with each of your splendid butter lamps

Shall come a sacred image of truth and peace

A great warm cup of freedom and democracy !

 3.

Give a handshake

Give ten handshakes

One hundred, one thousand handshakes

Ten thousand, one hundred thousand handshakes, with one mind !

 

Abandonning our land we wander the ends of the earth

Tibetans and Chinese, let us join in an oath of friendship !

 

Thus with each and every handshake

Shall come true friendship and harmony

Confidence and sincerity.

 4.

Oh ! Brothers and sisters !  Companions !

Recite one Mani

Light one splendid butter lamp 

Give a handshake

These are not small helpful gestures !

 

Ah ! The trembling song of love of each Mani

The  flickering light of each butter lamp

The pulsating warmth of each handshake

These are not small victories !

 

 Translated from the original

Tibetan poem by Chabdrak Phonya,

written on the 1.6.2009.