Anna Louise Strong Reference Archive
The great national leader of the Central People’s Government, Chairman Mao, is the cakravarti1 born out of boundless fine merits. For a long time I wished to write a hymn praying for his long life and the success of his work. It happened that the Klatsuang-kergun Lama of Kantsu Monastery in Inner Mongolia wrote me from afar, saluting me and asked me to write a poem. I agreed to do so, as it coincides with my own wishes.
O, the Triratna,2 (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) which bestow blessings on the world,
Protect us with your incomparable and blessed light which shines forever!
(The above is customary invocation preceeding a hymn. The poem itself follows.)
O! Chairman Mao! Your brilliance and deeds are like those of Brahma and Mahasammata, creators of the world,
Only from an infinite number of good deeds can such a leader be born, who is like the sun shining over the world.
Your writings are precious as pearls, abundant and powerful as the high tide of ocean reaching the edges of the sky.
O! most honorable Chairman Mao, may you long live!
All people look to you as to a kind protecting mother, they paint pictures of you with hearts full of emotion,
May you live in the world forever and point out to us the peaceful road!
Our vast land was burdened with pain, with shackles and darkness.
You liberated all with your brilliance. People now are happy, full of blessings!
Your work for peace is a white jewelled umbrella, giving shade over heaven and earth and mankind.
Your fame is like golden bells on the umbrella, ringing and turning forever in the sky!
Our foe, the blood-thirsty imperialists, are poisonous snakes, and messengers of the devil furtively crawling,
You are the undaunted roc which conquered the poisonous serpent. To you be power!
The cultural and industrial constructions which make the people prosperous and defeat the enemy’s armed forces are like a vast sea;
These constructions develop continuously until they shall make this world as full of satisfaction as heaven.
The perfect religion of Sakyamuni (Buddha) is like a Moonlight pearl lamp shining bright.
It is like a perfumed pearl ornament which we wear without prohibition. O! Of this we are proud!
Your will is like the gathering of clouds, your call like thunder,
From these comes timely rain to nourish selflessly the earth!
As the Ganges River rushes precious and to all the earth
The cause of peace and justice will bring to all people boundless joy!
May our world gradually become as happy as Paradise!
May the torch of the world, our great leader, be lit forever!
(The hymn proper ends here, the following being the customary prayer for the realization of the hymn.)
May the powers of the benevolent Bodhisattvas, the resourceful Dharma-Protector, and the truthful words of the Maharishis make these good hopes true!
(Translation made from Tibetan to Chinese to English.)
1. Cakravarti, a holy, powerful monarch.
2. Triratna, the Trinity of Buddha, Dharma (the Law) and Sangha, the congregation of believers.