The Warnings of Our Ancestors

5· Alas for people in this age of residues! The mind's wholesome core of truth has withered, and people live deceitfully, So their thoughts are warped, their speech is twisted, They cunningly mislead others-who can trust them?

6. Alas! How depressing to see the beings of this degenerate age! Alas! Can anyone trust what anyone says? It's like living in a land of vicious man-eating demons - Think about it, and do yourself a big favour.

7· Not long ago, your consciousness was wandering alone. Swept along by karma, it took this present birth. Soon, like a hair pulled out of butter, Leaving everything behind, you'll go on again alone.

8. Of course what we want is our own good, So we have to be honest with our own selves: If we don't accomplish the essence of the Dharma for our own sake, Won't we be ruining our own life?

9· In this dark age, what people think and do is vile. None of them will help you, they'll deceive and trick you; And for you to be of any help to them will be hard; Wouldn't it be best to quit the whole rat race?

10.Though you serve your superiors, they will never be pleased; Though you look after your inferiors, they will never be satisfied; Though you care about others, they won't care about you. Think about it, and make a firm decision.

11. Being learned these days doesn't help the teachings - it just leads to more debate; Being realised these days doesn't help others -it just leads to more criticism; Being in a responsible position these days doesn't help govern the country well-it only spreads revolt. Think about these times with sorrow and disgust.

12. Though you explain, people miss the point or don't believe you; Though your motivation is truly altruistic, people think it's not. These days, when the crooked see the straight as crooked, You can't help anyone-give up any hope of that.

13· "All phenomena are like magical illusions," said the Buddhas; But these days the illusions are more illusory than ever, Trickeries conjured up by devious illusionists- Beware of the illusions of this degenerate age's ways.

14. "All talk is like an echo," said the Buddhas, But these days it's more like the re-echo of an echo. What the echoes say and what they mean are not the same, So don't take any notice of these insidious echo-words.

15. Whoever you see isn't human, but a fraud; Whatever people say isn't right, but just lies. So since these days there's no one you can trust, You'd better live alone and stay free.

16. If your actions conform with Dharma, you'll antagonise everyone; If your words are truthful, most people will get angry; If your mind is truly good and pure, they will judge it a defect. Now is the time to keep your own way hidden.

(This whole text refers to the degenerate times but I only shared these verses as the rest speaks of reciting the mantra of Chenrezig (Bodhisattva of compassion) and thought it was best to omit. However, these specific verses seem quite apt for these times.)