So if you really wish to benefit others, the first step is to attain realization yourself. You must first mature your own mind; otherwise you will be incapable of helping others. Giving other people water is impossible unless you have a jug with water in it. If it is empty, you might make the gesture of pouring, but no water will come out.
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
from the book Zurchungpa's Testament
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Further quotes from the book Zurchungpa's Testament:
- Not outside yourself
- No other way
- Perceiving everything in its natural purity
- Like two expressions on the same face
- Just leave it like it is
- Free from the extreme of existence and that of nonexistence
- All perceptions are similar to a dream
- Complete absence of doubt
- Examine your actions very closely
- Not fabricated, never stained
- Projections of the mind
- Spontaneous devotion to your teacher
- Superficial dharma practice
- Just as space
- Recognizing awareness
- Nothing else than the projection of one’s own mind
- Suitable vessels
- The even state of all-pervading peace
- When true realization dawns in one’s mind
- Two great sources of fear in samsara