Chapter 29 - Sonam Gyatso (ii): Deeds as a child

The second (chapter): The manner of his manifesting extraordinary deeds as a child. Soon after his birth, when he was being fed on the lap of his nurse, all felt attracted towards him. His daily behaviour differed from from that of ordinary people.

At the age of 4 or 5, he was taken to bsam yas, and as soon as he saw the sacred images in the Temple of the Three Styles (dbu rtse rigs gsum or sang yang temple), he performed different kinds of salutations and made offereing (to them). He was overpowered by sadness (nges ‘byung) towards the World, and deep faith. His hair stood erect and he shed tears. On some occasions he used to preach to his playmates on the subject of different kinds of suffering of this Phenomenal Existence (saṃsāra) and Hell (durgata), and directed, their Minds towards emancipation from them. He was able to master without difficulty the alphabet and even excelled his Teacher. He used to recite regularly mantras and sacred texts. He also composed a beautiful poem, perfect in words and meaning, and presented it to his mother, who was fond of poetry.

Because of his (former) practice of meditation of the sampannakrama degree, he (constantly) dwelt in a mystic trance, (in which) he contemplated countless visions, and spent a long time gazing at them. Everywhere he used to erect altars in front of the Three Jewels. In this manner he spent all of his time in virtuous labours which were difficult to perform even by great beings, and always remained alert.