Tales from the Tibetan Operas by Kilty Gavin

Author:Kilty, Gavin [Kilty, Gavin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781614295822
Goodreads: 42668303
Publisher: Wisdom Publications
Published: 2019-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

NANGSA RETURNS HOME

Therefore it was decided that mistress Nangsa, with her son, Lhau Darpo, and fine gifts for her parents, was to be sent for a visit to her parents’ home in Jang Phekhu. With Lhau Darpo strapped to Dzomkyi’s back, the death-returner Nangsa, her son, and her attendant set off from Nyangtö. At that time the Nyang River was swollen and the bridges at Gyangtsé and Tsechen were impassable. They had to rely on boatmen to ferry them across in their hide boats, and so Nangsa sang this song to the boatman, asking him to send his boat:

Ferryman on the other side of the river,

this maiden misses her parents. Send your little black boat.

I miss my mother, Nyangtsa Saldrön. Send your boat.

I miss my father. Ferryman, send your horse-head boat.

I miss Kunsang Dechen. Ferryman, send your horse-head boat.

The ferryman sang a song in reply:

A hundred passengers cross to that side, a thousand come to this.

How can I find the time to ferry them all in my boat?

Maiden, if you miss your parents, jump over the river and come.

Maiden, if you miss your parents, leap over the river and come.

Nangsa sang in reply:

Ferryman, do not speak like that. Send your boat.

Alas! Do not say these things. Send your horse-head boat.

Having fed the stallion with mash, if you then have to walk,

it makes no difference if it is tied up in the corral or not.

Having farmed the land, if you want to buy tsampa,

it makes no difference if you plant grain and beans or not.

If you follow the Dharma and the Buddha arises as an enemy,

it makes no difference if you live as a yogi in solitude or not.

If there is a boat in the water, and you cross the river by the ford,

it makes no difference if you ask the boatman or not.

Again the boatman replied:

Dry clever talk will never get wet in the water.

In the mountain passes the bandit has the power.

On the river the ferryman has the power.

Maiden, if you possess magical powers, fly over here.

Maiden, if you have the power, build a bridge over the river.

If you are not that capable, then pay me to ferry you over.

There is no sense in transporting a traveler without the fare.

Thinking that you have to shoot arrows, you buy a bow,

but if you do not hit the target however much you shoot,

there is no point in having a bow.

Thinking that you are going to be rich,

you do business north and south.

But if you had to take out a loan,

how will you ever make money?

Thinking that you are going to be beautiful,

you cover yourself with turquoise jewelry and gold.

But if you do not stand out in the crowd,

what was the point of all that expense?

Thinking that a fare will be forthcoming,

the boatman makes his preparations.

But carrying someone without a fare is difficult.

“It is certainly true that the boatman on the riverside is like a bandit in the mountains,” thought Nangsa. “If I do not pay him, he will not come.” With these thoughts she sang this song:

Ferryman, I apologize.

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