 We have been named for the renowned Tibetan translator
Berotsana, who flourished during the eighth century. Berotsana translated
hundreds of texts and played a pivotal role in the establishment
of Tibet’s literary culture. Many accounts of his life were
composed in his native land. They recount his childhood in Tibet,
his studies in India, the challenges he faced, his many accomplishments,
the students whom he trained, and his eventual death. We have translated
a brief retelling of his story drawn from traditional sources and
present it here.
A Brief Account of the Life of Berotsana
This translation may be downloaded for your personal
enjoyment and study. It may not be duplicated, distributed or used
publicly.
© 2003 Light of Berotsana. All rights reserved.
The quintessential instructions that dispel the
torment of wanderers
is a river of amrita
Brought to Tibet by the great bodhisattva,
The magical emanation of Vairochana called “Bero.”
To the meaningful legacy of this magnificent
protector I bow.
The boundless dharma of Sutra
and Mantra, both vast and profound,
Was translated into the symbols of the Land of
Snow by this
supreme pandita
Whose aspirations blaze like one hundred thousand
suns.
The youthful lotus of scripture and realization
blossom everywhere.
You are the very form of the knowledge of all the
buddhas,
heir of the victorious ones,
Great manifest translator, holder of the treasury
of the supreme vehicle,
If we aspire to the supreme path that you have given
us,
May our hopes and prayers to benefit the Buddha’s
doctrine and wanderers be completely fulfilled.
This homage, a garland of flowers, serves as
a preface. The actual subject follows here. The omniscient lord, emanation
of Vairochana, great translator, the supreme Berotsana, was both scholar
and siddha in the snowy land of Tibet, and a great pioneering translator
of the doctrine. In accordance with the definitive meaning, he had already
achieved buddhahood as the nature of great Vairochana, the pervasive
lord of the hundred families; however, in accordance with the longing
of boundless disciples, to tame them he has shown a theater of emanations,
like moons in water. Except for sublime persons, who could fathom this?
Nevertheless, from the incomparable legacy that is as deep as the ocean
and as vast as the sky that he established in this realm, let us plant
just a seed that will inspire the fortunate to have pure faith.
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