The fundamental activity of all Buddhas
The active foundation of all Ancestors
Is knowing things – but not through contact
And illuminating conditions -but not through contrast.

The knowing that is not through contact
Is a subtle natural knowing,
The illumination not through contrast
Is a wondrous natural illumination.

This subtle natural knowing
Has ever been without discriminative thinking,
This wondrous natural illumination
Has never shown the slightest appearance.

This knowing without discriminative thinking
Is a wondrous unparalleled knowing,
This clarifying without the slightest appearance
Is an understanding without any ‘understanding’.

The water is clear right to the bottom,
Fish have yet to appear;
The sky is vast without end,
Birds have flown far out of sight.