To get into the habit of emptiness
Is the way to break the habit, substantial things,
But the habit developed of thinking of it as nothing
Must sooner or later be given up as well.

[: Because they are not real, they are not empty;
Because there is no thing, there is no non-thing;
Free of speculation in pure being,
Just rest relaxed without a reference point. :]

At the point when there is neither thing nor non-thing
To occupy a place before the mind,
At that point there is no projected image—
This lack of reference point is perfect peace.
Because…

This being so, there's no such thing as stopping,
Nor is there such a thing as things existing;
And that is why, of all these beings, there are none
Who ever were born or ever will perish again.
       Because…

Then wanderers, these dream-like beings, what are they?
If analyzed, they're like a banana tree.
One cannot make definitive distinctions
Between transcending misery or not.
       Because…

When things themselves in such a way are empty,
Then, what is there to gain and what to lose?
And who is there to offer you their service?
And who indeed is there to put you down?
From what would happy and painful states develop?
And where's what flatters and where's what puts to shame?

[: Because they are not real, they are not empty;
Because there is no thing, there is no non-thing;
Free of speculation in pure being,
Just rest relaxed without a reference point. :]

Whatever consciousnesses see or hear
Is not at this point something to be stopped.
Here, it is what causes beings to suffer,
The thought of true existence, to be dropped.
       Because…

The mind equipped with focal referent
Will come to settle down to some extent,
But mind that's not in touch with emptiness
Will find cessation found gets lost in birth,
As in the equilibrium void of notion—
That's why we meditate on emptiness.
     Because…

May the rain of my contentment's falling raindrops,
Descending mercifully from merit's cloud,
Pacify some day their aching torment
And cool the burning fires of their pain.

[: Because they are not real, they are not empty;
Because there is no thing, there is no non-thing;
Free of speculation in pure being,
Just rest relaxed without a reference point. :]

May the merit gathered here with so much care,
In a way that's free of focal referent,
Some day bring me to teach the emptiness
To all those lost in what they focus on.
     Because…

From Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara (Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life), Refrain by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
Translated and arranged by Jim Scott, Halscheid, Germany, 1992. Translation copyright 2012, Jim Scott