The Way of Living by Dza Patrul Rinpoche

Translated by Acharya Nyima Tsering

Copyright © Acharya Nyima Tsering

All Rights Reserved

Published by :

Vidhyadhara Publication

Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Distt. Kangra (H.P.) INDIA

Email : nyima_tsering@yahoo.com

Website : www.acharyanyima.com

DEDICATION

I

Dedicate

This

Book

To

You

My

Dear

Reader

POEM

A vision of youthful figure is like a flower in the summer time

And the attraction of beauty is like a rainbow in the winter.

There is not much time in this human life.

Now is the time to practice the divine dharma, essence of life.

No matter how much you nourish this physical body,

It is still a basis of sickness and chronic disease.

No matter how much you adorn this body with ornament,

It still has the nature of filth and dirt.

There is no essence in this impermanent body.

Now is the time to practice the divine dharma, essence of life.

When one fears starvation, all effort is employed in gathering

food and drink

When one has a storehouse of sustenance, one fears it will be

depleted

Hence all effort is put into the business of gathering profits.

When all energy is exerted in weaving an insignificant web of

imagined security,

One´s short life is quickly wasted.

At the time of suffering one yearns for the way to happiness

At the time of happiness one fears suffering will come

There is no moment of freedom from the constraint of these

expectations

Now is the time to practice the divine dharma, essence of life.

The rich are bubbling out unpleasant feelings from their side

The poor also mournfully cry from theirs

All people have their own baggage of suffering.

There is no true happiness in Samsara.

Whenever this body like corpse dies,

I will have no regret

If this golden like wisdom dies with a body

I would be devastated

Amdo Gendhun Choephel (1903-1951)

CONTENTS

Preface ……………………………………………………………………...... 7

1. Heart essence advice ……………………………….………………. 13

2. My unmask experience ……………………………………………. 39

3. Friends ……………………………………………………….……………. 43

4. Dealing with distraction …………………………………………… 44

5. Advice on daily conduct …………………………………………… 45

PREFACE

In this short human life span, people are striving to attain some

achievement in this world. Like any other living creatures, human

beings are also struggling continuously for their survival. Unlike

animals, who are completely under the sway of natural

environment, humans, with their wisdom and intelligence,

employs their thoughts and intellects in various fields of work and

actions to seek comfort and happiness. Of course, we could

manage to achieve our wishes to some extent since certain

material facilities have been developed. We have advanced in

science and have attained most of the basic necessities for

maintaining quite a comfortable life but we are still facing lots of

problems everywhere in this world. There are lots of political

crisis, social injustices, family problems, and conflicts among

fellow beings due to different viewpoints. People at large also

hunt their fellow colleagues for their fame, reputation and

material gains. If we are not aware of our daily moral conducts

with proper awareness of right intention and livelihood, this

world will become a very difficult place to live in. The situation is

worsening and deteriorating every year in our so called civilized

and modern society.

Our needs and requirements are forced upon us by global

companies. Every year, they assault us with different projects and

schemes to generate our desire through advertisements in

television, movie theatres and newspapers. We are like puppets

whose strings are in the hand of manufacturing companies. We

are accustomed and addicted to all these so called modern

facilities, equipments and various junk foods. We have made

ourselves so conditioned to depend on these external things that

we have lost our choice to live freely and contented. Thus, we

have to struggle to live in this very competitive world and

unintentionally indulge in unwholesome behavior which

eventually brings negative results in the future.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Education is the development of

moral character.” But we have nearly lost our touch with moral

and ethical values. These days education is like an entertainment

business and our schools, colleges and universities are becoming

like mill factories where they produce people fit to function in this

competitive material world. The value of education nowadays is

judged by whether a person can earn a good salary, and by his or

her status in the society than by mental enrichment and spiritual

realization. Because of this, we are always facing problems and

difficulties everywhere. That acknowledged, I have selected here

some pieces of Dza Patrul Rinpoche´s writings which display the

way of living and behaving in this human world. I assume that this

will guide us how to pursue our daily activities with gentle nature

and to train our mind in such a way that we can behave more

wisely in this world and serve the society according to our natural

capacity.

The first section advises on the art of meaningful living. The

author narrates the principles of ethical living for family, friends,

neighbors and government officials to make one´s society more

strong and peaceful. It is ethical advice for the people of all ages

but especially for the younger generations.

Second section reveals the unmasked spiritual experience of

Patrul Rinpoche himself and also explicates the actual meaning of

faith, dharma, and spiritual teacher which are the major concerns

for those diligent students who want to transform their mind.

The third section gives the guidance on choosing friends. Our

friends influence us a lot in the life. We have had experiences of

happiness and pain through interaction with caring friend or with

wrong person. So, our choice of friends induces what kind of

person we may become. Rinpoche did precise research on

choosing a companionship.

The fourth section details the means to deal with distraction and

healing anger, based on the sixth chapter of “A guide to the

bodhisattva´s way of life” and releasing the negative thoughts

through knowing the nature of one´s own mind. Otherwise,

allowing small negative thoughts to gain importance results in

sickness, violence, starvation and all the unpleasant

circumstances in the living world.

The fifth section gives the essential advice to deal with day to day

life spiritual path and teach us how to practice the Dharma in

simple way.

According to Buddhism, it is important to discipline one´s mental

attitude to bring true benefits for others. If we transform and

enhanced our mental and spiritual attitude, then whatever we say

or does brings true, lasting joy and peace to others with least

efforts and even your presence enlightens the surroundings; you

can eventually make a great and pure support for others.

Adversely, if your mind is not in stable position, always agitated,

disturbed and turbulent with excessive pride, attachment, anger

and simple stubbornness out of ignorance brings pain and

disturbance to others unintentionally. It is therefore, we must

first make ourselves stable by developing confidence, self-control,

and self-sufficiency through disciplining one´s mental attitude. On

that basis, we can influence and help others.

Acknowledgment

I wish to express my gratitude to all the enlightened masters for

their compassionate guidance and my parents for their kindness

and love. My sincere thanks go to Tsepak Rigzin (Education officer

of CTSA) for providing me the Tibetan glossary and Dorjee

Namgyal (Managing director, Skyline computer education centre)

for his work on the design of the book. Special thanks to Dr. Kay

Candler(Ph.D) for reading the translation and giving me some

valuable suggestions and my appreciation also goes to James

walker for his assistance and sharing the enjoyment of the

translation of poetry by our great Tibetan scholar Amdo Gendhun

Choephel.

Acharya Nyima Tsering

7th August 2006

A Biography of Dza Patrul Rinpoche

Dza Patrul Rinpoche (1808-1887) was one of the greatest

meditation master and writers of the Nyingmapa school. He was

born to father Gyalthok Lhawang and mother Dolma on Earth

Dragon Year (1808) in a nomadic area of Getse district of the

Dzachuka province in eastern Tibet. He was ordained by Khenpo

Sherap Sangpo. Due to his sharp intelligence from childhood, he

mastered in reading and writing without much difficulty. He was

recognized as incarnation of Palge Samten Phuntsok by

accomplished Master Dola Jigme kalsang and Dodrup Jigme Thinly

Oser and gave the little boy the name Orgyen Jigme Chokyi

Wangpo. Palge Samten Phuntsok was the emanation of Chenrezig

and well known for erecting a stone wall with one hundred

thousand Om Mani Padme Hum mantras engraved on it. Later,

another accomplished master also recognized him as incarnation

of great Nalanda scholar Shanti Deva and some consider him as

the speech incarnation of Jigme Lingpa.

He studied and mastered all the teachings of four major lineages

without any discrimination. He received the quintessence

teachings of the Longchen Nyingthig (Heart Essence of the Great

Expanse) 25 times from his principal teacher, Jigme Gyalwai

Nyugu, who is a disciple of Jigme Lingpa, and in turn Jigme Lingpa

(1729-1798), received the heart treasure lineage through great

Longchenpa. A Guide to the Bodhisattva´s way of life is his

favorite text and Patrul Rinpoche gives teachings on “ A Guide to

the Bodhisattva´s Way of Life ” every year.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama when he teaches on Shantideva´s “A

Guide to the Bodhisattva´s Way of Life.” He often explains how

he received the lineage of this teaching from Patrul Rinpoche

through Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen. He described Patrul

Rinpoche´s remarkable ability to transmit the teachings so that

even nature, upon hearing his words, would let the flowers bloom

spontaneously in an act of appreciation.

He spent his entire life hearing, contemplating and meditating on

divine dharma for his own benefit and teaching, debating and

composing text on it for the benefit of others. He had followers

and disciples from all the four lineage holders of Tibetan

Buddhism. He dissolved his physical aggregate at the age of

seventy-nine on 18th day of Budh-Punirma month (fire pig year)

(1887) with full confidence and with his deep meditative

absorption on mind of primordial nature.

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HEART ESSENCE ADVICE ON WORDLY AND

SPIRITUAL ETHICS

By Patrul Ugyen-Jigme

Choe-kyi Wangpo

Do not leave this book on the shelf but carry it in your pouch.

At leisure, take it out from the pouch and read it time and again,

Retain the meaning of what you have read and practice it.

This will produce gentle nature, which brings comfort in

This life and happiness in future lives.

Once in the high central land of Khramo-ling kar Tod of eastern

Tibet, a householder had a son named Zhonnu Lodhen who was

sharp-minded, good-natured and possessed all the signs of good

moral values. His father died when he was infant, without

parental guidance in good moral conducts, he followed several

bad friends in the locality and indulged in crude behaviours such

as lying, stealing and cheating. One day he saw an old man with a

white hair and beard, holing a long walking stick, with trembling

steps as he walked along the road. The youth looked at the old

man, smiled sarcastically and said,

“Ha! Ha! I am not wearing a lambskin hat,

But there is no cold winter sleet.

I am not holding a white wooden bamboo stick,

But there is no angry watchdog to threat me.

I am not walking with shaky and tottering steps,

But there is no stage for the performance of the dance.

Oh, old man, which place do you belong to?

Where are you coming from this morning?

Where will you go in the evening?

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14

Please reply sincerely without hiding anything.”

The old man beamed at the youth with wide-open eyes and said,

“Ha! Ha! From the way you tease scornfully at how I walk,

It seems that you are young and inflated with pride.

From the way you are skilled in wordplay

It seems that you are ill-mannered with cunning mind.

From the way you mock how

I have withered from a black-haired man,

It seems that you are an orphan influenced by accomplices.

Even the Solid Mountain becomes old,

The colorful stripes of the tigers fade.

There are good and bad son of the same father.

When I had the flesh and blood of maturing youth,

I was more attractive than you.

When my tongue, eyes and senses were sharp,

I was more skillful and brighter than you.

When I had my own home and fatherland,

I was greater and well off than you.

I am from the eastern part of Tibet,

I came from the city of Samsara this morning,

I am going to the land of liberation this evening.”

When this was said, the youth thought that, based on the old

man´s speech, he must be a learned wise man. He then said

“Hello! Sir, please stay for a while and tell me something.”

The old man replied: “What should I tell you? I don’t know

anything about Dharma and you won’t listen to worldly advice.

Therefore, it is better for this old man to continue on his own

path.”

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The young man said: “I will definitely listen to whatever you will

say.” As he promised, the old man slowly sat down and said,

“Well, I don’t have much knowledge to talk about Dharma or

worldly matters. Even if I knew some thing, these days everyone

in this decadent age only follow those who indulge in crude and

unpleasant actions and just passing from their time to selfish and

deceitful thoughts. Most people engage in misconduct and bear ill

intentions. The time has come when there is more demand for

bad people than wise ones; the time has come when the

shameless defeat honest and sincere people; the time has come

when one prefers new friends rather than kind ones. The laws

made by the official leaders are confused; the behaviour of the

subject are disordered. Never mind about the next life, even in

this life, people praises the activities of shameless and stupid as

heroic. If someone seeks advices and practices of good moral

conduct, he is not only considered as foolish, but we live in such a

dull age that even many are unaware of the gentle nature of

worldly ethics to be learned. Since then it is useless for a person

like me to speak.

Yet I am helpless to speak out since my friend questioned.

Foxes are helpless to yelp when demon slap them,

Dogs are helpless to bark when they see the dark shadow.

Since you ask me, I must tell you. As the saying goes,

‘One should tell if someone asks you,

One should study if someone teaches you.’

Now I will tell you a brief account of spiritual ethics. The great

spiritual teacher first propounded the holy Dharma. Ultimately all

Dharma must be traced back to one source, that is, the speech of

Buddha. In the middle, renunciation, Bodhicitta, meditation on

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the right view, and so forth, are the fundamental principles of the

self-liberation, Bodhicitta and Tantric-vows. Which of these vows

must be taken and upheld according to the potential abilities and

mental capacities of the three levels of person, as a result, all

Dharma is included in completely uprooting one’s conflictive

emotions and the means to attain the highest state of

enlightenment.

Regarding Art of Worldly Ethics: Ancestors and grandparents first

propounded that which is known as the art of worldly people’s

living. Ultimately this art is traced back to the eloquent treatises

composed by holy Bodhisattva kings and ministers. In the middle,

all the three classes of people, kings, ministers and subjects,

whether poor or rich, high or low, all must implement the

practices of respecting elders, nurturing the downtrodden and

proper relations with peers according to their capacity. As a

result, one will receive comfort and happiness in this life and will

be able to seize the path to liberation in the future. All the art of

worldly people’s living is included within it.

Now in spiritual ethics, there exist infinitely vast canons, treatises

and instructions. It is not necessary for me to speak deliberately

whether or not I know it. Now if I say something about the art of

worldly ethics:

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The art of Worldly ethics:

Ethics for respecting your superiors

The first point is serving your superiors, whether you have a low

position or a high, whether you are a good or a bad person, the

Triple gem is the sole protector upon whom you can rely for both

this and the next life. Therefore, one must pay respect and use

pleasant speech and make homage and offerings with single-

pointed faith towards any images of enlightened beings, holy

texts, Stupas made out of mud, and so forth, if they be of good

quality or bad, new or old. As stated in the Shantideva’s “ A Guide

to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life”

Whoever develops firm faith

Buddha exists in front of him.

One should particularly not speak judgmentally of good and bad,

faults, tease and so forth towards lamas, monks and spiritual

practitioners. Since they are the guardian for the dying persons to

leave their consciousness, and are the main source of help for

living beings. They are the objects to offer who does have, and

the object of prayer who does not have. There is no one as sacred

as the Triple-gem in entire existence. Whether you respectfully

pay homage with sincere faith and accumulate merits or criticize

with harmful intentions, the consequences are inconceivable.

Ordinary beings like us cannot judge someone else’s interior

qualities to be good or bad.

Buddha said,

Except me or someone like me can understand another person;

No ordinary person can truly know what someone else really is.

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“Even if you perceive impurities in them, you should maintain

your pure outlook and generate devotion towards them. Don’t

allow yourself to degenerate; the fault of others won’t harm you.

“Nowadays, whether one is in a high or low position, lay or

ordained, male or female, everyone is intentionally trying to

criticize others by seeking their faults. There is no worse

defilement than this in terms of both spiritual and secular ethics.

As the saying goes:

What you see are not the faults of others but your own,

Like seeing your reflection in the surface of mirror.

When you tell someone the faults of others, and if he is a mature

person, he may pretend to agree with you while disgusted deep

beneath. By observing the way you speak, he considers that you

are double standard. Thus, it is said,

Don’t look for faults in others but observe your own

Don’t dig out misdeeds in others but your own.

Also, you should use polite decent words to superiors such as

chieftain, kings, ministers, leaders and especially to all elders in

the locality such as grandparents, teachers and spiritual friends.

Courteously open the door for them, arrange their seat, welcome

them and see them off out of sincere respect and faith, and try to

adopt a low and humble demeanour.

These days, some people think that they are high, scholar and

rich, look down upon and tease all others. This action clearly

indicates one’s true nature that they do not embody any qualities

of either spiritual or worldly ethics.

Other examples include:

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Those without knowledge will have pride,

Those without wrinkles will hold their heads high.

And it says,

Water of knowledge does not stick on the peak of pride.

A king superior to Trisong Deutsen in Tibet has never been born,

adorned with the three remarkable qualities of power, wealth

and a kind heart, but even he paid respect and prostrate to yogis

appearing in the form of poor beggars. He defined the sixteen

principles of human moral values to be followed. Look upon those

forefathers as objects of emulation and display good examples for

the future. He who is well mannered is gentle in nature, honest in

mind, and large at heart.

Ethics for nurturing downtrodden people:

One shouldn’t tease, humiliate or look down upon those inferiors

to you, especially the poor, weaker and helpless beggars. As much

as possible you must help by giving them food and clothes. If you

can’t help them, you must at least be soft spoken and honest to

them. Those who pretend to be brave by bullying, scaring and

beating the poor are just examples of saying:

Bad knives are sharp to the hands,

Bad dogs are ferocious to beggars,

Bad people are rough to the poor.

Thus:

If you wish to gain a high position, you must adopt a low posture.

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If you wish to triumph over another, you must accept defeat.

When seeing the people with bit wealth, position and authority

and so forth, some people cover their mouth with a gasp of

astonishment. When seeing the poor and helpless beggars, some

people look down upon them with a disdainful toss of the head

and excited with minor things. These are the signs indicating that

one has not experienced many highs and lows, great pleasure and

pain. Whatever you see, whether high or low, rich or poor, you

should feel that you also must experience good and bad, pain and

pleasure. Therefore, it is pointless to feel extremely happy when

you are in a high position and to feel depressed when you are in a

low position. Whether you are in a high or low position, painful or

pleasurable, riches or poverty, it is very rare to maintain a stable

position through out an entire lifetime. As the saying goes:

It is rare to maintain harmony with near ones for long time.

It is rare for a rich people to be happy for his entire life.

It is rare for wise scholars never to commit any mistake.

Ethics for interactions with equals:

When interacting with your relatives, friends, fellow towns´

people, neighbours and whosoever they may be, you must never

steal, lie, deceive or create discord, being immodest,

untrustworthy, backbite, abuse and so forth. Instead you should

benefit them as much as possible. You must not be so quick to

feel happiness and unhappiness with their minor improper

actions but should have a heart large enough to bear pain and

pleasure and good and bad incidents.

It is important to be stable and single minded without getting

involved in everything misled by different thoughts and ideas. You

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must keep a kind heart and be responsive to all, never

disregarding modesty and shame. It is important to examine a

situation through putting yourself in the place of others and

others in your own place. It is important to know your own faults;

even if you have sharp eyes for the faults of others, it is extremely

rare to possess the mirror to see your own faults. If you do not

examine yourself, nobody else will tell you. People might flatter

you to your face, but behind your back they may have nothing but

abuse or criticism. If some kind-hearted person does point out a

person´s faults to his face, hardly anyone will listen to it instead

most bear resentment. As the saying goes:

A guilty person get angry

A horse with wound on its back bucks.

Now a days everyone might consider you to be nice person, but

you must examine your behaviour by yourself; shape your

continuum by yourself by comparing it to the ideals presented in

texts of eminent wise men. Do you understand me?”

Then Zhonnu Loden asked the old wise man “If this is the proper

way to deal with all three levels, high, low, and middle people.

These days many people such as leaders are punishing us severely

through beating and demands payment of material tribute for a

slight misdemeanour despite rendering the service through body

and speech by maintaining pure discipline. Likewise, even in the

case of lower people like beggars and middling people like our

relatives and friends. Even if you care and nurture them like your

own child and benefit them immensely, still they may cause much

harm as your enemy, by stealing wealth, snatching wives,

cheating and deceiving. What method should be applied in such

cases?”

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Then the old man replied: “O smart boy! You should question

precisely in this manner. You will not understand just by hearing

once. Listen, whichever any of the three levels of person: high,

middle and low. First you must examine good and bad qualities.

Human beings can be divided into three categories: The excellent,

mediocre, and inferiors. The excellent devote their lives to the

welfare of the country and people, in turn his own interest will

achieve automatically. Moderate people are able to accomplish

very impressive selfish gains, without inflicting any harm on

others. The least ones attempt to achieve their own interest by

inflicting harm on others. They still cannot accomplish what they

desire. In some cases it would be possible for some vicious people

to accomplish their narrow interest through constant struggle

while neglecting all the shame, modesty. Even then they may

partially achieve their interest with abuses and defame by others.

In each category there are three levels of excellent, mediocre, and

inferior people. In general both in spiritual and secular ethics, it is

classified into three qualities: excellent, mediocre and inferior.

These days it seems people feel they are sky-high if someone

praises them or deep beneath the ground if someone despises

them. It is the fault of a person being small-hearted and not being

able to assign things from their own stand. In general, it is said:

Don´t be quick to praise a stranger,

Don´t be quick to like or dislike your acquaintances.

Even kind lamas and leaders have some bad qualities, and

beggars and robbers have some good qualities. You must examine

them to find who has more good qualities or faults.

It is said:

It is rare to find a person, who is perfect devoid of all faults,

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It is rare to find straight grown tree without gnarl,

It is rare to find a flexible, sharp and tempered iron.

You should examine them directly or indirectly, using many

different means. It is hard to recognize the extensive mind of wise

men, the flattering expression of a deceiver, and the nature of a

person whole smiles radiantly.

If you are skillful in investigating properly,

You can enjoy with any matter due to familiarity.

If you know how to examine whatever you hear,

You will enjoy the happiness due to understanding.

Like saying examples: It is hard to know if one does not examine

properly.

Any person can be confident as long as

One does not meet the enemy or a ghost.

Any person can be generous in talking if

It does not relate with property or labour.

Any person can be skillful in word play

If one does not meet bad circumstances.

Any person can be good in mother´s kitchen

If one does not have to face the difficulties of life.

Thus said, therefore you must examine them meticulously,

without hastily deciding they are good or bad.

Important superior leaders including official of high rank should

embody general good qualities such as restrained speech, large-

heartedness, firmness, stability, kind-heartedness and proper

behavior. Especially in terms of tax and law, a leader should be

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honest based on cause and effect. His decision should not base on

the superficial appearance or wealth of his constituents.

If there is no leader, who will take care of subjects?

If there are no subjects, whom can the leader rule?

Subject will enjoy peace and security

If their leader is honest,

Public progress is the ornament of the king.

A good leader should provide guidance

And protection to his constituents,

Good subjects should respect their leader.

If a tree elevate another,

They become pillar and beam,

If a person elevate another,

They become leader and subjects.

Thus said, therefore, leader and subjects should rely upon each

other like father and son. The older generations, fathers and

uncles, must speak less and have a gentle nature. They should not

leave a legacy of quarrels, disputes and loans to be carried by

their son and grand children. They should only practice pure

Dharma, preparing for death, with calm body and pure mind.

A man should be generally moderate in action and mind. He

should be able to challenge and face powerful enemies, and be

able to tolerate the sharp words of his relatives and poor people.

He should be gentle nature, stable and long lasting. He should

never lose his confidence. It is said:

The shameless one will be the winner

If there is fight among brothers.

The woman will be the winner

If there is fight among couples.

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Those who are brave in taming their external enemies and

forbearing towards their relatives and near ones are considered

to be good people.

Women should not be fast and fickle in mouth and mind; she

should regard her own husband as divine and should avoid other

women´s husbands like poison. She should be neat, skillful in

spending and accumulating wealth and good in nurturing servants

and domestic animals. She should be soft-hearted, humble, shy

and modest.

Low servants should not bear ill intent, deceive, lie, steal,

backbites or create discord. They should be caring and sincere to

their masters, and willing to do any task, large or small, that is

requested.

In general, any person, whether of high, low or middle station,

who bears ill intention and a deceitful mind, is fickle in thought

and mouth, or is without restraint and short tempered must be

avoided through skillful means. As they say:

It is enjoyable if you have no angry friend,

It is comfortable if you have no lice nesting in clothes.

In general what is good for one person will not be good to

everybody, and what is bad for one person will not be bad to

everybody. The differences are due to individual karma and its

varying consequences. In general, among enemies there are some

who become your enemy because of previous karma and some

due to misunderstandings and not finding a proper solution.

Many people become enemies through creating discord by third

person and their inability to make a proper judgement. If an

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enemy is someone who is gentle in nature and capable of

friendship, a wise man´s way is to attract him or her, through

using polite words to calm their anger. If the enemy is terrible and

crude person, you should tame him or her through gentle speech,

a stable mind by using different clever methods. It is common for

the general people to use violent means in controlling the enemy.

It is stupid to promise without ability to finish it.

It is wonderful to shut your mouth

If you do not know how to speak.

It is wonderful to reject a job from the start

If you do not know how to complete it.

It is wonderful to retreat

If you do not know how to win.

You should not praise your relatives in their face; if they have

faults you should point them out and try to discipline their

misbehaviours. If they have done something good, try to help

them with pleasant words. You must especially place your son,

wife and nephew on the right path through moderate treatment,

neither too harsh nor too mild. In the case of some vicious people

it is far better to control through harsh action than mild ones.

When one beats drums and cymbal,

It produces sweet sound.

When one beats wall and tent pegs

It becomes sturdy

When one beats a vicious person

It becomes soft like stiff leather,

When one discipline wife and children

They become obedient.

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Some foolish people when they do have good family and friends,

they don’t appreciate them rather exhaust them through dispute,

fights and insults but regret comes later when they are separated.

If they become intimate, Even a dog will tease a lion.

If they are too close, the eyes cannot see their eyelashes.

These proverbs mean that one does not have the potentiality to

make a lasting relationship. Generally, there is no alternative

importance to know good and bad qualities of the people. Some

good people spend their lives bringing happiness to many

families, towns and countries, while others are involved in making

divisions among communities, neighbours and countries. As it is

said:

Associating with good friend will induce good behavior,

Associating with bad friend induces bad behavior.

Virtuous friends are more rare than gold

And you should become close even

If they belong to another side

Bad friends are worse than poison.

And you should abandon them even

If they are among your side.

Therefore, it is important to have thorough knowledge of both

good and bad quality of your friends.”

Again Zhonnu Loden asked: ”Please tell me how I should train

myself in the restrained action and conduct.”

Old man said, “Yes, the actions are going, staying, working,

supporting relatives, challenging enemies, and so forth. Moral

conduct is your daily routine, which includes eating, drinking,

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28

sleeping and your manner of staying, speaking and going. For

both of these you must examine the good and bad qualities by

yourself. Ask others for suggestions, use the past as an example,

and plan for the future. Your limitation must be based on your

potential ability and act according to the systems of the country.

Don´t be afraid of superiors or tease inferiors. You must examine

and calculate carefully the gain and lost, investigate all good and

bad aspect; determine what can be accomplished or fail, see the

result whether it is of large or small. You must be cautious from

the beginning,making prayers and accumulating merits and so

forth. As it is said:

The beginning is difficult in a speech;

The main part is difficult in the work;

The conclusion is difficult in dharma.

You must generate strong will power and patience until you can

accomplish any work that is undertaken. You must undertake all

work with skillful means and perseverance, without being carried

away by different thoughts and ideas stimulated by many people.

Finally, if the work is achieved successfully, you must be done

with it. If it didn´t turn out as you wished, you must still accept it

without generating any regret or blame. Skillful means and the

power of merit are only two ways that can generally accomplish

any kind of work. The only pure means to achieve comfort and

happiness in both this and the next life is to make offerings to the

merit field of the three precious jewels. It is said:

It is better to accumulate merit as tiny as a spark

Than to exert effort as huge size as a mountain.

Any purpose that are accomplished by the force of merit

Do not depend on anything, like the light of the sun.

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29

Any work that must be accomplished by the force of

efforts

Needs to depend on many factors, like the light of butter

lamp.

People who are not rich must not be so ambitious to eat fine

foods and wear nice dress. They must also not indulge in stupid

misconducts such as gambling, smoking, drinking alcohol. Instead,

they must guard their wealth in the night and take good care in

the day, carefully gathering it and preventing without misuse and

theft.

It is not worthwhile to lend money to a person who lacks

modesty.

It is not worthwhile to do business with a person who

lacks wealth.

Generally, if some one seeks wealth through stealing, deceiving

and jealousy, in the end, not only is the wealth exhausted, it even

becomes a cause for the loss of one´s life. But you cannot gain

wealth only through hard work unless you have previously

accumulated the merit for it. As it is said:

Wealth cannot be gained through gathering wealth

But only through gathering merit.

Wearing clothes does not wear out the clothes

But clothes wear out when fortune is exhausted.

People do not die of sickness,

They die when the time arrives.

When a rich person has the power of wealth, the best thing is that

they should spend it for the divine Dharma, the next best is that

they should spend it for the welfare of others, and the last but not

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30

least they should use it for the sake of his own pleasures.

Otherwise it will be too late, when the day comes to leave all

one´s wealth and go alone empty-handed to death. It is said:

If your thoughts and mind are covered with darkness,

Owning a pile of riches as large as mountain is of no use.

In general, you must not lose your confidence even through being

soft hearted, you must not be hasty to like or dislike good and

bad experiences. You must distinguish between who helps you

and who harms you. It is mistake to repeat whatever you hear. It

is said:

To say whatever comes to the mind is mad person,

To eat whatever you see is a pig and a dog.

To do whatever work you think is foolish.

You must not foolishly challenge stormy waves, cliff Mountains,

enemies, thieves, wild animals and so forth. Be cautious even of a

slight harm and accept even a slight benefit. Don’t speak ill and

criticize anybody behind his or her back, no matter whether they

are good or bad. Be large-hearted and less talkative. Except in

some special matter or when there is no choice otherwise, be

honest and don´t tell lies. Do not make many promises and try

not to break them. You must be brave for the sake of good person

even you have to spend wealth or labour. You must clearly reason

to a bad person, yet do not over-rate a proud person. Be polite in

words and offer food, but do not share your wealth and secret

wishes and reveal your nature with a stranger. You must benefit

as much as possible to those whom you know well, but never let

them disgusted with you and lie to them. Do not belittle and

despise others when they are declining in status. Don´t feel so

self-important and proud when you are flourishing in your

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31

standard of living. Don´t challenge the authority of lamas and

chieftains, or Tantric yogis, Bonpos and so on. Don´t follow after a

person who frequently changes their mind shifting between

happy and sad instantly. Don’t trust everything that is said; don´t

consider everyone who harms you to be your enemy. Don´t reveal

deepest thoughts even to someone very close to you. Don´t point

out secret faults even you quarrel with someone. Don’t expect

from people who has gone away. Don´t be short lived dedication

with someone who has benefitted you. Don´t trust anyone unless

you know the person well. Don´t speak so much in a crowd. Don´t

be so busy while staying alone. You must not impulsively

undertake many projects at any moment. Don´t deceive a trusted

friend. Don’t be attracted to other´s wealth. You must set limits to

any kind of work, and analyze the result when you have finished.

Be sensitive to the feeling of your friends. You must be able to

intuitively understand people´s minds. Wealth must be used

properly. You must be economical even if you are not miser. You

must be soft hearted but stable, honest and moderate. In general,

you must thoroughly examine interior good and bad qualities of

people, since these days most people do not judge according to

whether their ethical actions accord with ways of holy noble

beings or not. They are quick to praise when someone shows

smiles but benefits little, and start abusing when your wishes are

interfered and when something is done which displeases you. You

must not listen to praise and despise chasing after second hand

words.

Wise man knows how to discriminate by himself,

But foolish people follow the rumour.

When an old dog starts barking,

The others will join in without any reason.

And

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32

If talk travel from mouth to mouth it will increase;

If food moves from hand to hand it will decrease.

In general,

Any freedom is happy,

All dependency is suffering.

Common properties are sources of disputes,

Promises are cause of regret.

Contentment is the supreme wealth.

Altruistic mind is the supreme knowledge.

Being a scholar is the supreme ornament.

Not being a fraud is the supreme friend.

Mind generation is the supreme pleasure.

It is also said,

Riches can be found even among savages,

Bravery can be found even among animals,

Even animals can work for selfish gains

But wise man with gentle nature is rare in this world.

It is therefore, you must definitely train in the moral values of

sublime beings.

When the old man had said this, the youth replied, “yes, I am

immensely grateful to you for giving me this precise advice yet my

mind cannot grasp so much advice at once. Therefore, please tell

me the essence by condensing the meaning.”

“Yes, you are right; listen to me, I will tell you. All the worldly

ethics are encapsulated into these five points:

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33

a) Peaceful nature.

b) Moderation in action and manner.

c) Steady and broad mind.

d) Skillful in inferring work in advance.

e) All these must be endorse with honest and beneficial mind.

a) If you are short-tempered and use harsh speech, you will not

get along with anybody. Then, no matter how much you try to

benefit others, they won´t get close to you, and after a while

you will be alone without anyone to be seen around. Being

peaceful nature means not to show any anger or use any

harsh speech but remain peaceful and friendly towards all.

But this does not mean that you should let yourself be pushed

around like leather of a musk deer, or should you cling to

others like sticky honey.

b) If you engage in many activities without any moderation, you

risk great pain and loss, sometimes the outcome is good and

sometimes it is bad. Nothing will be the result other than

being the object of despises. Therefore, you must set

moderation in all actions and with friends, without being

fickle. Moderation in action means that you must set self-

restraint according to your nature, potential ability and take

into account the temperament of others. It does not mean to

be a foolish, who does not undertake any kind of actions

whatsoever.

c) There is no one who does not desire for good food, wealth

and women, yet to enjoy them you must ponder the long

time benefits and losses, consider shame and modesty

temporarily. There is no one who does not feel anger at harsh

words, yet you must consider the laws and fines imposed for

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34

impulsive acts of anger. You should particularly ponder the

relationships of cause and effect on this and the next life.

Everyone will ultimately praise anyone, who can remain

steady without changing his or her nature through good and

bad, pleasure and pain. Being steady means that your

activities and manner are constant without running after

whatever other people say and whatever thoughts arise

within one´s mind. It does not mean being as inflexible as if

an iron rod were inserted in your spine.

d) For any kind of activities, you must consider both earlier and

later results. Thoroughly examine the temporary and ultimate

benefits and losses for both self and others. If you are skillful

in examining properly whatever you anticipate will come true.

If actions are done without making any investigation and

examination, what to tell about people like us, even the kings,

(for instance, the king Pa-we Chin and Lanka king saw

Bodhisattva Me-Tok Zla-mDzes and Sage Zodpa Mawa with

their queens. They thought that bodhisattva and Sage wanted

to entice their beautiful queens. So, they killed them with the

help of executioner due to being offended at the enticement

of their beautiful wives. Later the kings felt immensely sorry

for killing the innocent victims but they couldn´t undo their

actions. Again there are many cases where someone has been

deceived through relying upon someone else´s word. For

example, Gautama was punished when the trickster Yochen

Pemay tsalak killed the prostitute named Sangmo and threw

the bloody sword in front of Gautama. And Gautama received

the punishment. In another case, a thief had stolen a small

calf and left it near a solitary realizer in the forest. Since the

thief ran away, the later solitary realizer was implicated.) 1

Therefore, you should examine precisely in any kind of matter

or activity. For instance, it is said,

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35

You shouldn´t speak out unless you really know the matter.

Don´t make promise unless you are definite in their meaning.

Examination must be applied to see whether or not any work

can be accomplished and whether their results would be

skillful. Being skillful in examination your arrows will not fall

short of their target, and whatever work you undertake will

not decline. It does not mean that one being deprived of a

mirror to see the fault within oneself but holding a sharp

spoon to dig out the fault of others and presuming the

qualities of all people and lazing around all the time through

deceitful reasons.

e) In general, if you have sincere beneficial attitude in all

activities, then whatever is done for both yourself and others

and all the wishes of yourself and others will swiftly be

fulfilled. In this life the shining Dharma protector will support

you and flourish your name and fame. Everyone will love and

take good care of you. Dharma practice in the next life will be

accomplished spontaneously. It is extremely important not to

lose the altruistic mind, since bearing ill intention towards

others will cause bad results for you. You must generate

altruistic attitudes towards everyone regardless of whether

you know the person or will receive benefits from them. It

does not mean to have love only for your own friends,

relations, son, grandson and wife. This was the fifth point.

If a person is gifted with all five of these qualities, then even if he

does not have anything else, he will be considered a most

excellent Being.”

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36

Zhonnu Loden asked, “Even though people have heard all of this

advice, they are still unable to implement it in practice. These

days if you observe only what people say, it seems that everyone

is well-behaved learned scholar, yet if you look at what they do,

you will find only misbehaviour and immoral conduct. Why is

this?”

The old man replied, “ Yes, young man, listen thoroughly and bear

it in your mind, These days´ people cannot implement this advice

into practice, whether they know it or not, because they are all

influenced by selfish motive and conflicting emotions. It is said:

If seen only from the side, fools look like a great scholar

But nothing will be done if they are given responsibility.

“Therefore, you must not be carried away by conflicting

emotions. When people come under the spell of attachment, they

rob the wealth of others, take bribes, snatch women, receive

punishment, destroy shrines or holy images, cheat friends and

even become involved in killing and so forth. If a person comes

under the spell of hatred, he beats and abuses his parents, resent

friends and points out their faults. He ends up giving pain to both

himself and others through involved in fighting, quarrelling,

killing, beating and so forth with everyone. When someone comes

under the power of pride, he becomes so inflated from over-

rating himself that he teases, abuses, scolds and looks down upon

others. If someone comes under the spell of jealousy, he uses an

antagonistic word towards superiors, criticizes and competes with

equals, and feels envy when others are materially successful. If a

person comes under the power of miserliness, then no matter

how much wealth he may possess, he makes hardly offerings to

the superior beings. And he will not be able to give any charity to

the poor, and lends anything to others; there is no time that he

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37

will ever feel satisfied and contented. He will not be able even to

use his wealth for his own clothing and food. Miserly people are

the real hungry ghosts. When people come under the spell of

ignorance, they become completely dull unable to discriminate

between accumulating wholesome merits or negativity, between

virtues and non-virtues actions, between good and bad people.

These five poisons along with miserliness are the six main

delusions, which lead to the gateway to all sufferings of this and

the next life. The selfish motive, doing whatever you please

without any self-restraint, is the main cause of degeneration in

both spiritual and worldly activities. Those who wish to enjoy the

pleasures of this life and the next should not speak of good and

bad qualities while looking at others, instead you should always

examine and watch your own mind. Discipline your own nature,

and place yourself on the path by yourself. The entire means to

achieve both spiritual and worldly pleasure are included within

this advice. Do you hear me? Listen to me a little bit more:

Wealth can be the cause of great pain, but it is dangerous.

Use it essence to accumulate merit through making offerings and

charity.

You have achieved the rare human birth only at this time,

Preserve the upavastha and upasaka vows.

Hatred is the cause for rebirth in the hell realms,

Shield yourself with the practice of patience.

Laziness defeats the purpose of this and the next life,

Train in joyous effort like the continual flow of a river.

Distracted people spend their lives uselessly,

Put single-pointed effort into a great virtuous purpose.

In order to realize the activities of two ethics,

You must rely upon the wisdom of hearing,

Contemplation and meditation.

The egoistic person will never be satisfied;

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38

The jealous person will never feel happy;

The greedy will never feel contentment.

The short-tempered people will never get along;

Stingy people will never feel wealthy;

Ignorant people will never accomplish anything.

The deluded mind will never have any peace.

Less conflictive emotions bring less suffering.

Suffering will cease when conflictive emotions are ceased.

Therefore, uproot all the conflictive emotions,

Which are the bases of all unwanted things.”

As he said this he slowly stood up. The smart youth, Lodhen, felt

deep joy and heartfelt respect and trust. He prostrated to the old

man, and with very pleasant voice he said:

“Fortunate persons are like previous gems of eloquent speech,

Kind old parents are like the hearts of well mannered people,

I have never before heard such advice as this,

It is like an elixir for the heart.

Today, by the kindness of a great and learned old man,

This advice comes to an orphan child from his parent´s treasured

words.

Please advise me again and again

In the future like a father to his son.

Peerless and precious one, your kindness is hard to repay,

May I glimpse your wonderful face again and again.”

As the youth spoke, the old man was very pleased and he replied

with warm and affectionate feelings, “Yes, yes, good son, rest

easy and keep a happy mind.” While saying this he moved slowly

on down the path.

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39

MY UNMASK EXPERIENCE

Oh! Guru, I came across Dharma when I was a little boy, and

entered into the gateway of Dharma. Though I went through the

studies and so forth, due to my gross afflictions I have gone

against all the percepts and commitments of self-liberation and

Tantric vows. Therefore even with one lifetime of effort in

Dharma practice I couldn´t achieve the slightest state of mental

concentration. And so without moral discipline and mental

concentration, training in wisdom is as distant as the sky. Through

my extensive study of sutra and Tantra I learned to produce

eloquent statements and teachings. Thus it is said:

Fame is the offering of barley flour

Sprinkled by evil spirits.

Therefore don’t mistake poison for medicine; it is only due to the

work of evil spirits that I have been praised and popularized by

others. There are also people who say, “ The followers of both old

and new traditions all have an interest in you. Therefore if you

meet and speak to them, that will be more than enough.“ If I do

such things, I know that I´ll have plenty of material assets and a

comfortable life, but it says in the guide to the Bodhisattva´s way

of life:

Although I may have much material wealth,

Fame, and good reputation,

Whatever riches and renown I have amassed

Will bring fear after my death.

By contemplating these lines I can´t be proud. When somebody

says: “You are ascetic, kind-hearted and so forth”, pretending to

embody these qualities in lying about spiritual realization because

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40

I do not actually possess them. Fearing the consequences of this

lie, I frequently proclaim my true character and bare nature to all.

Although someone like me may possess little textual knowledge

and not even a pinch of realization, I might deceive like early

monks of the six sects, pretending to discern hidden meaning

through purposeless gestures, gazes, and touch. What can we say

of those who cannot differentiate between rich and poor, or

between distaste and fondness in pronouncing Lama Tsang and

Abu Tsang. Even those who quote and recite many scriptures in

order to simulate knowledge are only chasing after name and

fame. I feel pity that, despite so much effort, they failed to

deceive, and do not trust in them. The true meaning of faith is

trust in the Triple Gem. Within the Triple Gem it is the Dharma,

which endows the Buddha and Sangha with Excellency, therefore

put trust in Dharma. Dharma conveys the meaning of four noble

truths which ultimately comes to the knowledge of cause and

effect as recommended in all the sutra and Tantra treatises.

Conversely, placing faith in a person based on a slight

examination of their qualities and the opinion of others in over-

estimation and mental fabrication and therefore it is a wrong

view. Practicing Dharma means uncovering the delusions within

one´s mind and eliminating them. The great Guru

Padmasambhava said as

“Dharma has nothing to do if the delusions are exhausted.”

Without understanding what he said, there is no benefit in

seeking blessings from sacred mountain cliffs and renowned

elderly priests; instead, a jaded attitude towards Dharma will

develop. Statements such as “many beneficial qualities arise from

faithfully respecting and praying to the Lama”, quoted from the

texts, do not refer to all kinds of elderly priests but only to the

Guru who embodies the three qualities. Even in the text written

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41

on Guru Yoga, it is necessary in a Mandala for the lama to

completely accomplish the empowerment in the aspect of

Heruka. It is the Lama from whom you have received initiations

and instructions who is to be faithfully respected. To generate

faith in the Lama means to have faith and respect for him based

on gratitude; how could it be based on his knowledge? It is said

that one should have more faith and respect for the Lama than

for the Buddha himself. In terms of knowledge, no one is superior

to Buddha

“Thus, introducing my own mind as the Dharmakaya,

To me, he is superior to all the Buddhas.”

All practitioners know that one´s root Guru is most kind.

Gratitude arises not because of how many teachings and

initiations the Lama has bestowed on you, but whatever

knowledge you have acquired is due to the compassionate mind

of the Lama. This is the reason why the great Lord Atisha

considered Lama Selingpa superior to all other Gurus. For

instance, a beggar´s happiness only depends on whether his own

small grain pouch is filled with parched barley flour. What benefit

is it to him to possess the quantity of barley flour rich people

have? To serve and respect one´s parents, as is instructed in all

the sutras and Vinaya texts should be done in gratitude for their

kindness, not for their education. What is actually meant by faith?

What is the meaning of practicing Dharma? Who is the Guru that

he is to be faithfully respected and prayed to? Even those who

consider themselves scholars do not properly understand the

nature of these three things.

All that I have explained to you here is consistent with the speech

of the Buddha; keep connection with the Dharma through it.

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42

Show this letter to all, explain this meaning to all. There is a

possibility that one or two people will accept it as truth. Do

according to what I have said; now you may leave. Even if I stayed

for nine years it is certain that I wouldn´t perform any futile

activities such as giving hand blessings or making prayers and so

forth. Keep this in your mind.

OM MANI PADME HUM!

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43

A GOOD FRIEND WILL INDUCE GOOD

BEHAVIOUR

One´s wisdom will increase if one associates with a wise person Bodhicitta will arise if one associates with a compassionate

person

Desire will decrease if one associates with a contented person

A sense of generosity will arise if one associates a person who

gives freely

One becomes well mannered if one associates with a calm and

peaceful person

One becomes aware of suffering if one associates with a person

who despairs of Samsaric activities.

A desire for liberation will arise if one associates with a

renounced person.

One is mindful of wholesome acts if one associates with a person

who cares more about the next life

Renunciation will be generated if one associates with a good and

kind person

One remembers to practice Dharma by befriending a Dharma

practitioner

Contentment will arise if one associates with a person with few

desires

Strength of mind will arise if one associates with a studious and

joyful person

Knowledge will be acquired if associates with a noble being

One strives for eternal bliss if one associates with a liberated

being

A virtuous mind will arise with a virtuous friend

Faith will arise with a friend of pure perception

One achieves the ultimate wish if one associates with a person

with wisdom

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44

These are the positive qualities that arise with good company

Therefore one should seek a good friend.

A BAD FRIEND WILL INDUCE BAD BEHAVIOUR

One´s wisdom will be obscured if one keeps company with an

ignorant friend

One becomes easily irritated if one keeps company with a short-

tempered friend

Sexual craving is increased when keeping company with a lustful

friend

Miserliness arises if one keeps company with a stingy friend

One becomes vain by keeping company with an arrogant friend

One cares only for this life if one keeps company with a friend

who lacks renunciation

One forgets the next life in the company of a friend who seeks

worldly possessions

One prefers farming rather than making friendship with an evil

friend

One´s view is limited if one keeps company with a friend who

always calculates profit and loss

An obsession for collecting things arises if one keeps company

with a greedy friend

One becomes unpunctual in the company of a lazy friend

One will be completely distracted if one makes friendship with a

distracted friend

One is involved only with this life when keeping company with a

materialistic friend.

Non-virtuous thoughts arise by keeping company with an

unwholesome friend

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45

One´s perception becomes less pure in the company of a friend

who lacks faith in Dharma.

Unwholesome thoughts will be generated by keeping company

with a friend who has never met the Dharma

These are the negative behaviours that come with bad friends,

therefore avoid bad friends. This is the letter sent to Lama Rinzin

Gyatso by Patrul Rinpoche.

DEALING WITH DISTRACTION

When the family of conceptual thoughts attacks

even the most energetic and brave Dzogchen

disappears, feeling to unknown regions.

The short sharp trident of pure wisdom

is broken before the battle has ever begun.

Below the cushion of a great meditator

When a family of conceptual thoughts

becomes scattered- by attraction to external objects,

so many thoughts arises that he is unable to stand it.

Consequently even the treasure of

Dharma Dhatu becomes ineffective.

Now nothing else could be done,

unwillingly I must put on the armor of patience

described in “A Guide to the Bodhisattva´s Way of Life”.

“Where would I possibly find enough

leather to cover the surface of the

earth?” It is not possible for me

to control all the external conditions.

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46

But if I control only my mind

There is no need to control anything else.

My enemy is like a treasure, which suddenly appears in my house

without any effort on my part.

I should feel grateful

for his assistance in my practice of bodhicitta.

Many great meditators only sleep in calm abiding,

since anger does not arise

they have no opponent for their armory of antidotes.

When the shrewd thieves of attachment and hatred arise

to those fortunate beings

Examine their Yogic strength and power

through the stability of their antidotal shield

and the sharpness of their sword of view.

Whenever I feel attachment

or the desire to be angry,

I should neither do nor say anything,

but remain like a piece of wood.

Vidhya Dhar Jigme Lingpa remarks,

“The poisonous afflictions of your heart

drive you to inappropriate conduct,

causing disease, war and starvation,

evil spirits and so forth.”

A drum needs a drumstick:

likewise, all musical instruments require

additional factors to produce sound.

If you remain solitary

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47

There is no opportunity for unnecessary speech and gossip.

When mouths and minds of lamas, monks,

religious leaders, heads of state and cabinet

ministers are influenced by evil spirits

then conflicts, disputes and quarrelsome words arise.

Sickness, weapons, starvation

and all the unpleasant circumstances

in the living world are the result.

The root of all of these miseries

is conceptual thoughts arising with

the inability to be solitary.

These innumerable distracting thoughts are

the influence of evil spirits.

If one could completely surrender to the right path,

practicing Dzogchen and patience,

undistracted even by hardships and starvation,

one can win the battle against these demons.

Thereafter you will swiftly progress on the path

of whatever spiritual practices you undertake,

devoid of any hindrances.

Unless the negative thoughts empowered by evil spirits

are overcome by the path of simplicity

they will be like a venomous black snake

disturbing the spiritual teacher and Dharma friends,

and you will not have the fortunate to meet the Dharma in the

future.

Therefore, whatever negative thought arises,

leave it in its natural state without further elaboration,

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48

either by discarding or by accepting

Understanding will grow if you recite the prayer of Samant-Badra.

According to the spiritual teacher,

If a negative thought is mindfully recognized as soon as it arises,

then even the greatest distraction cannot draw you into the lower

realm.

How many negative conceptions will arise

to those endowed with antidotes?

If you know how to release a thought when it arises,

you will see the four pictures of conceptual release,

and you will arrive at the party of liberation.

Playfully watching the pictures and enjoying the party,

a person who dwells in the divine place predicted by Dakini

is indeed a fortunate being.

This letter was sent by Patrul Rinpoche to Tromza-Kunsang-

Tenzin,

When he was being completely disturbed and distracted

by conceptual thoughts during his retreat.

ADVICE ON DAILY CONDUCTS

Every time and every moment, one should make self assessment

within and one must recognize whenever negative or positive

thought arises in your mind. When negative thought arises, it is

important to correct your thought immediately. Otherwise, if you

actualize them through following the negative impulses such as

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49

attachment and so forth then it would be hard to understand the

massive consequences it will bring at the end of this life.

Even though one would not attain the status of a great scholar

still one must maintain firm faith towards the triple gem and try

to generate kind heart towards others. Future lives are more

enduring than this life; hence one must not neglect the next life

while seeking only fame and higher status in this life.

Good or bad consequences of your future life depends more on

the later period of one´s life time, hence try as much as possible

to correct your mind through the practice of Dharma. Whether

one migrates towards higher rebirth or to the lower realm, can

depend on a turning point in this present life; at the time of

death, it is too late to say that this is the turning point to move

towards the higher rebirth or to the lower realm. It is hard to

comprehend what sort of knowledge others profess it does not

matter whether others ridicule or praise you, but you must

abandon attachment and hatred from the depth of your heart.

You may not be able to accumulate enormous merits in your life,

but at least you must try not to commit the inconceivable

negative deeds. You never know who may actually be a noble

being, so you should not criticize or bear ill intentions towards

other beings. You must be content with whatever food and

material assets you have and spend your life in this manner and

always be at peace. Without a single leisure day, one must not

always stroll around the mountains and valleys like dogs roaming

together wearing red robes which fatigue the eyes of the people.

Written by Patrul Rinpoche

THE WAY OF LIVING