An interpretation into the English language (from Mongolian Cyrillic) of another doha by the contemporary scholar-poet Zava Damdin (b.1976).
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IF YOU…
If you have truly offered your heart to someone
Or to some great cause worthy of such dedication
Then you will likely never hang your head in discouragement
And it is certain you will not sit in complaint or wounded pride
If you have spoken—stand by it; if you have acted—own it
Don’t think in extremes—just offer your sincere heart
If you have acted with careful thought and measure, then there is no turning back
Don’t get lost in empty thoughts—move forward like fire leaping forth
If you’ve set a goal—see it through
Don’t pretend to suffer; don’t perform the role of a fool
If you act recklessly, the true path will disappear
This rare human birth you’ve found by fortune must not be squandered
If your focus is on lasting virtue, don’t look for personal gain
If you think only in terms of profit and loss, then you are no one at all
Even if you boast or falter—never lose your sincere heart
Doesn’t this peaceful world still go on turning?
– Zava Damdin Rinpoche
25.06.2021
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Translation is always an interpretation into another culture.
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ЧИ ХЭРВЭЭ
(Original Mongolian)
Чи хэрвээ чин зүрхээ хэн нэгэнд
Чингэж магадгүй нэгэн их үйлсэд зориулсан бол
Чи хэзээ ч толгой гудайн урам хугарах үгүй нь магад
Чилээрхэн ялархаж гомдон суухгүй нь эргэлзээгүй
Хэлсэн бол хэлсэн хийсэн бол хийсэн
Хийрхэж бүү бод чин сэтгэлээ л зориул
Хэмжиж бодож хийсэн бол ухрах зам үгүй
Хий сэтгэлдээ бүү авт гал нь зуу мэт л урагшил
Зорьсон бол зорьсон зорилгоо гүйцээ
Зовсон дүр үзүүлж бүү мунхгийн дүр эсгэ
Зоргоор аашилбал харин чинагш зам үгүй болмуй
Золоор олдсон энэ их хүмүүний төрөл инагш хуурах үгүй
Ашдын сайныг бодсон бол ашиг бүү хар
Арилжаа алдагдлаа гэж бодсон бол харин чи хэн ч биш
Аархсан ч сайрхсан ч чи чин сэтгэлээ л бүү алд
Амармаг ертөнц эргэлдэн оршсоор байх бус уу
– Зава Дамдин ринбүчи
25.06.2021
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NOTES
As I choose which translation of Zava Damdin Rinpoche’s dohas to share with readers on my channel, I find myself thinking about the kind of reader who might quietly meet this one with recognition. It seems to me that this doha, and its clarity, might be of value to those who were carrying a commitment of some kind — to a person, a path, a vocation, or a difficult responsibility — and who needed not so much consolation as a sense of inner steadiness and renewed resolve.
I imagine, too, that this poem might speak to readers who were trying to live with greater sincerity, steadiness, and dignity, especially in times when discouragement, self-consciousness, or worldly calculation could so easily take hold. It might also offer something to those who wish not to lose sight of what they have given themselves to, and who would welcome language that calls them gently, but clearly, back to courage, discipline, and their own living expression of a true heart. Over to you …
End of transcript.
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© 2013-2026. CP in Mongolia. “Mongolian Poetry 39: If You …” is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Documents linked from this page may be subject to other restrictions. Posted: 15 April 2026. Last updated: 15 April 2026.