Illuminated by Tearlight

This was not merely a performance—it was a radiant offering of presence. A seamless weaving of dance, painting, music, and chant—unfolding gently like a memory remembered, or a prayer returning home.

It was not a play, but a ritual in the language of theater. Its beauty resided in its stillness, its sacred emptiness, its whispered reverence—like the first breath of Dharma echoing through space.

What moved the heart was not a narrative, but the way silence sang through form— A quiet glimpse into the peace that has always dwelled within us.

Dear friends, welcome to “Tearlight Revealed: The Theater of Tara.”

Tonight’s performance is born from a profound well of gratitude and aspiration—offered in honor of our beloved teacher, Bokar Rinpoche.

Bokar Rinpoche is one of the most revered meditation masters of Tibetan Buddhism. Throughout his life, he encouraged all beings to cultivate genuine peace and happiness through the practice of meditation.

He constantly reminded us to develop bodhicitta—the altruistic mind of awakening—by cultivating compassion and mindfulness for the benefit of others.

Just as Avalokiteshvara shed tears upon witnessing the suffering of sentient beings, and from those tears arose Tara, the Mother of Liberation—may we, too, vow to embody this same compassionate response.

Last year (2014), we presented “Tearlight” to commemorate the tenth anniversary of our teacher’s parinirvana.

This year, we return with “Tearlight Revealed”, a new work dedicated to Tara’s luminous presence, rooted in the spirit of compassionate lineage.

It is especially meaningful, as earlier this year, His Holiness the Karmapa formally recognized the reincarnation of Bokar Rinpoche. The young tulku was born in Sikkim, India, and has now returned to the monastery to begin his education and practice at the age of nine.

We are deeply honored and joyful to have the presence of Bokar Rinpoche’s heart son, the esteemed senior Kagyü master, Khenpo Lodro Dongyu Rinpoche, who is here with us tonight to offer his blessing and guide this sacred performance.

May each of us, through the language of art and Dharma, come to clearly behold—

The stillness, joy, and freedom that already dwell within our hearts, illuminated by the tearlight of compassion.

Ocean of Tears

Two thousand five hundred years ago, the Buddha turned the Dharma wheel for the first time, revealing the Noble Truth of Suffering: Birth and aging, sickness and death. Separation from those we love, union with those we hate, unfulfilled longing, and the burning burden of the five aggregates.

Across the endless cycles of samsara, is it the oceans of the world that hold more water— or the tears shed by sentient beings in sorrow?

The Buddha asked. Not to receive an answer, but to awaken us— to the sorrow we’ve buried, to the cry we’ve silenced, and to the single tear within our own heart that has never truly dried.

As a Mother

During the rains retreat, the Buddha delivered the Karaṇīya Mettā Sutta—the Discourse on Loving-Kindness—to monks dwelling in the forest.

He did not speak of abstract theory, but of the deepest mystery at the heart of life: the boundless love of a mother.

“Just as a mother would risk her own life to protect her only child,” the Buddha said,

“so should one extend a heart of boundless loving-kindness to all beings.”

This love is not passive—it is fearless.

When cultivated sincerely, it fills the world above, below, and in all directions.

No walls can contain it.

No hatred can resist it.

It is the mother-heart of the universe—radiating light where there once was fear.

Tears Falling

In this world, beings are driven by ignorance and attachment, endlessly adrift in the ocean of suffering. High upon Mount Potalaka, Avalokiteśvara—the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion—gazed across the realms, hearing the cries of pain, the silent pleas of all who suffer.

Moved beyond measure, the Bodhisattva shed two luminous tears. One fell from the right eye, one from the left— glistening drops of infinite tenderness.

And then, a miracle unfolded— From the right eye’s tear arose Green Tara: swift, fearless, compassionate. From the left eye’s tear emerged White Tara: serene, gentle, radiant with wisdom.

“Tearlight, crystal clear, shines upon the world.” Tara is not only an object of reverence, but a path to embody— She reminds us that the journey of awakening begins not in distant realms, but in the tears we shed for others, and the courage to respond.

Compassion as Crossing

Homage to the swift and valiant Tara, whose eyes flash like lightning in an instant. She is the embodiment of Avalokiteśvara, Lord of the Three Realms, born from a lotus blooming in the ocean of tears.

From the right eye’s tear arose Green Tara— swift as wind, fearless in vow. From the left eye’s tear emerged White Tara— serene as moonlight, radiant with wisdom.

These two Taras carry the heart of the Bodhisattva, appearing in a single thought when beings cry out in suffering. With the speed of lightning, they bring deliverance— offering refuge, joy, and the end of sorrow, without exception.

Cultivating the Heart of Compassion

"Seeing so many friends gathered to witness The Theater of Tara, I first wish to greet you from the depths of my heart: Tashi Delek—may all be auspicious. Today’s performance is more than art—it is an expression of the compassionate heart in action."

"All beings, humans included, share the same wish—to be free from suffering and to find true happiness. Yet sadly, in seeking to escape suffering, most create the very causes of it; in longing for happiness, they wander unaware of how to find it. This discord between intention and action binds us in the wheel of samsara, where body and mind suffer without end."

"The ultimate embodiment of compassion is Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva who, upon witnessing the unbearable pain of beings, shed two tears. From the right eye was born Green Tara; from the left, White Tara. These two Taras vowed: ‘Just as you, O Bodhisattva, have labored for beings, we shall now stand beside you to aid in their liberation.’"

"In essence, Avalokiteśvara, Green Tara, and White Tara are one—they are the very expression of the supreme, awakened compassion. Through today’s theatrical retelling, we learn not only why Avalokiteśvara wept, but also how the Taras arose, and what their vows truly mean."

"But above all, the true message is this: within each of us lies the seed of compassion. It may yet sleep, but it is there. May today’s performance inspire us to make this vow: I too shall be like Avalokiteśvara and the Taras. I too shall awaken my compassionate heart for the benefit of all beings."

Unchanging Happiness

"What causes all our suffering? It is none other than the self-centered mind clinging to 'I, me, mine'. And what brings true happiness? The mind of compassion, born from caring for others."

"In today’s world, self-obsession has become overwhelming. Thoughts revolve constantly around the self: 'What about me? What do I need?' Meanwhile, the concern for others has grown faint, almost forgotten. We long for joy, yet our grasping at the self binds us to pain."

"The antidote? It is simple—begin, gently, to release the hold of ego. Open your heart, stop circling endlessly around 'me', and instead, let compassion lead. Think again and again: ‘May I benefit others. May I serve. May I love.’"

"If you practice this, you will find your suffering easing. And in its place, a joy will arise—stable, deep, and radiant—a joy that does not fade."

"In the endless cycles of samsara, beings have grown used to selfishness, trapped in the great ocean of ego. But look to the great bodhisattvas: their sole practice is to sever attachment to self, to train and habituate the mind to altruism."

"Through this, they awaken boundless compassion and attain liberation from suffering and karmic bondage. They offer this path to all, that we too may rise from affliction and enter the freedom of enlightened peace."

Daily Practice of Compassion

Now, let us return to our present world— the twenty-first century, where life moves fast and the mind rarely rests. To expect ourselves to instantly let go of ego-clinging and give rise to full altruism is no small task. Yet, the path is near—profound, and beautifully simple.

Each morning, as your eyes open to the light of a new day, take just one moment to make a vow: "Today, with my body, speech, and mind, may I strive to benefit others. Today, may I refrain from causing harm in any form."

It takes but a breath, yet the merit it plants is vast and radiant— like a morning star that shines before dawn.

As your day unfolds, carry that vow like a sacred thread. Check in with yourself often: "Am I acting with kindness? Or am I causing harm?" Let awareness be your gentle guide.

This is the first step—altruism, mindfulness, and presence.

Then, expand your heart. See those around you who may be in physical or emotional pain. Some may appear joyful but are unknowingly sowing seeds of future suffering.

Now, make a second vow: "May I help them be free from pain. May I help them cease the causes of suffering."

And when you see others doing good, creating joy, offer them your silent blessings: "May their goodness grow. May the seeds of happiness be planted across all realms. May all beings find peace and never be separated from loving kindness."

The Meditation of Compassion

This wish—to free all beings from suffering and bring them true happiness—

is the essence of metta and karuna, loving-kindness and compassion.

When such a pure and powerful aspiration arises within,

the heart naturally settles, like a lake stilled after the wind.

If you can remain present in this calm and gentle resolve,

you are practicing the noble meditation of compassion.

Even if brief, such meditation brings immeasurable benefit—

calming your heart, and preparing you at every moment

to walk the path of benefiting others.

Here is a very simple, yet deeply powerful practice to share:

Each morning, the moment you open your eyes, make this vow:

“May my body, speech, and mind today benefit all sentient beings.

May all beings be free from the causes of suffering,

and may they encounter the causes of lasting joy.”

You don’t need to be a Buddhist to do this practice.

You may keep your faith—whatever it may be—

because compassion is the seed found in every living heart.

Now, let us practice this meditation together...

Just as the Buddha himself once meditated in compassion,

and through it attained perfect awakening,

so too may we—his followers—allow this seed of compassion

to take root, to blossom, to mature.

Let us vow:

“May my compassion not take long to grow.

May it unfold swiftly, and benefit countless beings.”

Thank you, and may you be blessed with peace and clarity.

Karaṇīya Mettā Sutta

Calligraphy / Hsi Sung

May I be free from sorrow,

May I be safe and happy.

May you be free from sorrow,

May you be safe and happy.

May all beings in this world—

Whether fragile or strong,

Tiny, medium, or immense in form,

Visible or invisible,

Dwelling near or far,

Born or yet to be born—

May they all be free from sorrow,

May they all find peace and happiness.