Whenever you encountered the wind of adversity It only strengthened the fires of twofold bodhicitta, Consuming the wood of karma and the kleśas— Precious lord of Dharma, to you I pray. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
You won’t accomplish Both the Dharma and the aims of this ordinary life If that is your wish, No doubt you’re deceiving yourself. There is no greater obstacle to Dharma practice Than to be obsessed by the achievements of this life. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to avoid harsh words, Which others might find unpleasant or distasteful, Since abusive language upsets the minds of others, And thereby undermines a bodhisattva’s conduct. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to turn away immediately From those things which bring desire and attachment. For the pleasures of the senses are just like salty water: The more we taste of them, the more our thirst increases. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to avoid destructive friends, In whose company the three poisons of the mind grow stronger, And we engage less and less in study, reflection and meditation, So that love and compassion fade away until they are no more. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
Even if others, in the grips of great desire, should steal, Or encourage others to take away, all the wealth that I possess, To dedicate to them entirely my body, possessions and all my merits From the past, present and future — this is the practice of all the bodhisattvas. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is never to speak ill Of others who have embarked upon the greater vehicle, For if, under the influence of destructive emotions, I speak of other bodhisattvas’ failings, it is I who am at fault. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
Even if others, equal or inferior to me in status, Should, out of arrogance, disparage me, To honour them, as I would my teacher, By bowing down my head before them — this is the practice of all the bodhisattvas. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
Even if others whom I have cared for like children of my own, Should turn upon me and treat me as an enemy, To regard them only with special fondness and affection, As a mother would her ailing child — this is the practice of all the bodhisattvas. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to slay attachment And the rest — mind’s afflictions — at once, the very moment they arise, Taking as weapons the remedies held with mindfulness and vigilance. For once the kleshas have become familiar, they’ll be harder to avert. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is never to entertain concepts, Which revolve around dualistic notions of perceiver and perceived, In the knowledge that all these appearances are but the mind itself, Whilst mind’s own nature is forever beyond the limitations of ideas. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to cultivate concentration, Which utterly transcends the four formless absorptions, In the knowledge that mental afflictions are overcome entirely Through penetrating insight suffused with stable calm. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to strive with enthusiastic diligence — The source of all good qualities — when working for the sake of all who live; Seeing that even śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas, who labour for themselves alone, Exert themselves as if urgently trying to extinguish fires upon their heads. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to observe ethical restraint, Without the slightest intention of continuing in saṃsāric existence. For lacking discipline one will never secure even one’s own wellbeing, And so any thought of bringing benefit to others would be absurd. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to renounce this life’s concerns, For friends and relatives, long acquainted, must all go their separate ways; Wealth and prized possessions, painstakingly acquired, must all be left behind; And consciousness, the guest who lodges in the body, must in time depart. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to give out of generosity, With no hopes of karmic recompense or expectation of reward. For if those who seek awakening must give even their own bodies, What need is there to mention mere outer objects and possessions? Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to leave behind one’s homeland, Where our attachment to family and friends overwhelms us like a torrent, While our aversion towards enemies rages inside us like a blazing fire, And delusion’s darkness obscures what must be adopted and abandoned. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to arouse bodhicitta, So as to bring freedom to all sentient beings, infinite in number. For how can true happiness ever be found while our mothers, Who have cared for us throughout the ages, endure such pain? Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to subdue the mind, With the forces of loving kindness and compassion. For unless the real adversary — my own anger — is defeated, Outer enemies, though I may conquer them, will continue to appear. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
Even if others should declare before the world All manner of unpleasant things about me, To speak only of their qualities in return, With a mind that’s filled with love — this is the practice of all the bodhisattvas. Gyelse Tokme Zangpo