released September 1, 1998

Dewachen
Land of Bliss
By Kirby Shelstad

Musicians:
Kirby Shelstad: Voice, Drums, Percussion, Synth, Slide Guitar
Beth Nielsen Chapman: Voice
Larry Chaney: Guitars
Michael Rhodes: Bass
Giles Reaves: Synth on "Dedication"
Jonathan Yudkin: Violin on "Samadhi Pada"

Recorded and Mixed by Kirby Shelstad
Edited and Mastered by Giles Reaves
Graphic Design by Tony Gerber

Beth Nielsen Chapman appears courtesy of Reprise Records
All compostions by Kirby Shelstad c&p 1998 Love Circle Music BMI
All Rights Reserved
Texts used by permission or public domain

1. Calling The Lama From Afar
2. Samadhi Pada
3. Lam Gawa
4. Namo Buddhaya
5. Dha Ge NakaDhina
6. Lonchenpas Prayer
7. Jang Chub Sempa
8. Dedication of Merit

________________________________________________________

1. Calling The Lama From Afar

Music by Kirby
Text composed by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche (Jigdral Yeshe Dorje)
used by permission

In Tibetan Buddhism, the Lama/Mentor is the student's direct link to the
inherent Buddha nature within. This text is a call and request to the
buddha lama to come and confer his blessings of realization upon the
practitioner. Many high lamas are noted for their ability to compose
spontaneous songs of great depth and clarity and in the colophon of this
prayer it is noted that "This was spoken spontaneously as delirious
chatter by Jigdral Yeshe Dorje" His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche was a
renowned Lama of recent times and was the supreme head of the Nyingma
Order until his death in 1990. He was a primary teacher of my teachers.

2. Samadhi Pada

Music by Kirby
Text from The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

This text comes directly from Book One of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
These sutras, meaning "threads," are the foundation of the entire
science of raja yoga. They describe the various practices, attitudes and
results of the yogic path. While these are considered a Hindu texts,
they are very Buddhist in their content. The song begins with sutra 1.1
and focuses on sutra 1.33 which translates:

"Through cultivation of friendliness, compassion, joy and equanimity to
pleasure and pain, virtue and vice, the consciousness becomes favorably
disposed, serene and benevolent."

Sanskrit:

Maitri-Karuna-Mudita-Upekshanam Sukha-Duhka-Punya-Apunya-Vishayanam
Bhavanatas-Chitta-Prasadanam

3. The Joyful Path / Lam Gawa

This text is based on verses from The DhammaPada, a compendium of quotes
from the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. These verses are from the
sections on joy, wisdom, and the Self. One of the verses translates as
such:

"Never feeling enmity towards those who bear us malice, how
wonderful
our lives become -- free from enemies even in the midst of enmity"

4. Namo Buddhaya/Om Guru

This simple chant is the opening homage one recites before beginning
one's meditation practice. Basically:

In the Name of the Buddha
In the Name of the Dharma
In the Name of the Sangha
I pay homage

Namo Buddha Ya
Namo Dharma Ya
Nama Shanga Ya

Also used frequently here is the mantra of long life, directed towards
the teacher as well as the listener:

OM AMARANI JE VAN TE YE SO HA

5. Dha Ge NakaDhina

Dha ge naka dhina are actually tabla bols. These are the syllables one
recites to express what is played on the drum. This particular set of
syllables are common to a very famous rhythm in Indian music called
Keherwa, which is found in many folk and light classical styles of
playing. The shuffle funk of this track is all based around this rhythm.
I have taken some liberties with this, adding some other syllables to
create the verse vocal.

Dha Ge Nakadhina Dha Dha Dhin Na Tetekata Ghadigena Dha Dhage Dhin Na

6. Lonchenpa's Prayer of the Six Continuous Aspirations

Longchenpa (1308-1363) is considered to be one of the greatest lamas to
come from Tibet and is the most celebrated scholar and adept of the
Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. His life story is nothing short of
amazing.

This prayer of dedication and aspiration is directed towards the wish
for high rebirths, meeting the dharma early in life, to practice
according to the Lama's wishes and to attain enlightenment for one's
self as well as all sentient beings.

7. Jang Chub Kyi Sem

Bodhichitta is a sanskrit term that literally means "awakened mind"; the
mind of enlightenment and is the central tenet of Mahayana Buddhism. In
this prayer Bodhicitta is the altruistic compassion and motivation to
liberate oneself and others for the benefit of all beings.

The chorus section of this song is a very famous prayer of bodhicitta
and translates as such:

The precious boddhicitta;
In those without it, may it be generated
In those who have it, may it never diminish,
but always continue increasing

Tibetan

Jang Chub Sem Chog Rin Po Che
Ma Che Pan Ni Che Jur Chig
Che Pa Nyam Pa Me Par Yang
Gong Ne Gong Du Pel War Shog

8. Dedication of Merit

Tibetan teachers always stress the importance of dedicating the merit of
ones actions for the benefit of all beings. This empowers the acitvities
and seals them with right motivation and good intention So, at the end
of a meditation practice orother activities one would chant these to
dedicate the merit.

_______________________________________________________

Homage: Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, Ustad Ali Akbar Khansahib, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Dr. Sankaren Mahadevan, Suzee Waters Benjamin, June LaSalvia

Gratitude: Suzee Waters Benjamin, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Larry Chaney, Michael Rhodes, Giles Reaves, Jonathan Yudkin, Mike and Paul Simmons and the crew at Underground Sound, Tony Gerber, Randy Allen, Bruce Arntson, Carl Tatz, Rich Schermer, Bette Timm, Lloyd Barde, Daniel Paul, Ross Kent, Kent Agee, Erich Schiffmann, Brian Kest, Aashid Himons, Rachel Rutherford, Mark Deutschmann, K-lea & Chelsea Gifford, David D'amour

In Memory: Clarence and Margaret, June, Jamie and Chester

I would like to dedicate this recording to my teachers, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche. I am a mere beginner with the Tibetan and Sanskrit languages and beg the patience of those who know. It is my sincere hope that this music will bring benefit to those who hear it.

Sarva Mangalam
Kirby Shelstad