CONDENSED GUIDE OF THE GREAT CAVE KNOWN AS MARATIKA OR HALESHE (HALESI) IN THE NEPALI LANGUAGE, KNOWN AS BHIURDA OR DESHANYA IN THE INDIAN LANGUAGE, AND AS HA LAS BSDHAD OR ASTONISHING IN TIBETAN
At the time when he was building the glorious Samye, King Trisong Deutsen sent one of his ministers to India to invite the master Padmasambhava. On their way back, through Nepal, as they were taking a rest, the minister asked; “Guru Rinpoche, why is this mountain so astonishing?” The master replied; “Listen faithful minister, there are Outer, Inner and Secret explanations concerning this place. The Inner and Secret cannot be told now and the Outer can be disclosed just a bit.” Again the minister asked; “Guru Rinpoche, for the sake of the faithful, please give a short explanation about this place.” The Guru spoke thus; “The Inner and Secret explanations are hidden as termas, but I will talk a little about the Outer explanation. Listen, faithful minister”.
“OM SOSTI This supreme Holy Place is similar to Ogmin and Khacho Buddha Fields.
The shape of this mountain resembles a heap of lotuses.
Above; the Lamas of the Eight Means of Attainment are arranged like a mass of clouds.
In the middle dwells an assembly of rainbow-like deities.
Below; the ocean of oath-bound protectors roar like thunder.
In front; the offering goddesses perform their dance.
The first secret path on the right differentiates between virtue and sin and is the great path of the hot and cold hells. The stone path behind shows the narrow path of the intermediate state between death and rebirth. The path on the left is the great path purifying the defilements and obscurations of the womb and collecting the two accumulations of merit and wisdom. The rocky path in front is the great path purifying all sins and obscuration of immoral priests and monks who have broken their commitments. These four secret paths bring liberation from the eighteen hell realms.
At that place there are self-created images of Brahma, Indra, Hayagriva and Dorje Phagmo in union, the Naga King Taksaka (dGa’bo ‘jog po) and a box of good fortune (g.yang gi gau) that grants the birth of sons and daughters and whatever one prays for.
In the four directions are the Four Great Kings. Above are self created umbrellas, victory banners, standards and canopies. In the middle is a self-created prayer to the Guru written in the symbolic script of the dakinis. Inside the cave, seven steps above, is the self-created Life Vase used by Amitayus for bestowing the Empowerment of Immortality. There is no doubt that all the prayers addressed to it will be fulfilled. At the right of the Life Vase is the self-created body imprint of Amitayus visible on the rock.
The entrance to this place resembles a half moon and faces towards the east, while the path leading to it comes from the south. A large number of trees grow in that place, the birds sing melodiously and there are many sweetly scented flowers. In front is a self-created lake, and at the distance of an arrow shoot is the self-created, Secret Cave of the Guru.
The second entrance to this holy place is known as the Meditation Cave of the Eight Means of Attainment. Inside is the self-created stone of the flesh, blood and soul of the liberated (or liberating) female demons. At the left of this door is a turquoise conch shell. Just by hearing it’s sound, the evil states of cyclic existence are shattered. Five hundred Arhats are said to have visited this place. Inside is the Guru’s blessed water. It is said that by putting that blessed water in the mouth, the five heinous negative actions are purified. Also inside are the Guru’s footprint and the self-created, unobstructed Door of the Sky. Above are the Guru’s toilet and his self-created thighbone trumpet and hat. Women who have pollution, and extremists should refrain from going there as they will encounter misfortune.
In front of the first entrance to that holy place there is a lotus tree.
At the east is the peaceful Assembly Hall.
At the south is the imprint of the Guru’s body and the Assembly Hall of the Hundred Thousand Dakinis.
At the west is the Meditation Cave of Dorje Phagmo.
At the north is the self-created rock imprint of the Three Protectors.
These are the signs related to pacifying, increasing, controlling and wrathful activities.
At the southeast is Manjushri Hill and
Southwest Vajrapani Hill.
When visiting this great place Maratika, the highest people should engage in longevity practices, the middle ones should perform offerings, and the general practitioners should make prostrations and circumambulation. If one visits this great holy place called Halashe or “astonishing”, one will not need to experience the lower realms.”
Thus spoke the Great Guru.
This brief history of Maratika by Guru Padmasambhava has been found in the countries of Nepal, India, Sikkim, Tibet and Bhutan among them this one is more similar to the Maratika caves, landscape, etc, The works of researches has done by Venerable Lama Ngawang Chophel Gyatso Rinpoche and finally His Holiness Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche has done the proof reading and blessed.
For further information regarding the history of Maratika please see (ma ra ti ka-i gne yig rig azin aja lus grub pa-i gsang lam) Pilgrims’ Guide to the Rocky cave of Maratika The Supreme Holy place of Immortality, written by Ven. Ngawang Jigdral Chokyi Wangchuk and forward by His Holiness Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche.
English verson will available soon.