The 37 Practices, Condensed

Gyatrul Rincpoche compiled a beautiful little book that I fell completely in love with upon first seeing it. After having it for several months, I can only say that I treasure this little guy! I think it might have actually have been David Secundo who pointed it out to me at the Orgyen Dorje Den bookstore, while we were at the Rinche Terdzod in Alameda, CA.

I just adore the print format of the, too: much of the content has Tibetan on the left, English and Tibetan transliteration on the right. The form-factor is nice, as well: it fits easily in the hand (and most pockets I have!), about the same size as small notebook (it's actually about half the size of my medium moleskine).

Here's a nice quote from the store where it's sold:

A collection of the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva, the Prayer for Excellent Conduct, opening prayers and prayers of dedication. A commentary by Kyabje Pema Norbu Rinpoche on the Prayer for Excellent Conduct is also included. The text is beautifully presented as a pocket-sized manual, with a deep brown cover decorated in gold calligraphy, gilt-edged pages and a gold ribbon bookmark. This convenient volume will be an excellent companion to accompany those in bodhisattva training wherever they go, a constant reminder of the fundamentals of the buddhist path.

As a result of the blessings and teachings received at the Rinchen Terdzod, I've been really focusing on the "basics", those things that are truly the foundation and essence of practicing the Buddhist path. This (as well as the beauty and convenience of this little book!) has contributed to me reading the 37 Practices more now than I even have before.

To aid in my reflection about the 37 Practices, I've tried to condense the list to short phrases or "titles" describing each one. This is what I'm using to improve my mindfulness about the Path of the Bodhisattva:

1. Be constantly mindful of the extraordinary opportunity of a human birth
2. Forsake attachments to your old, comfortable lifestyle
3. Avoid that which gives rise to the five poisons
4. Sacrifice worldly comforts in order to practice the dharma thoroughly
5. Avoid bad friends and companions
6. Hold the lama with great respect, above all others
7. Take refuge in the Three Jewels
8. Refrain from doing harmful deeds, even at the cost of your life
9. Be courageous while facing hardships on the path
10. Generate true bodhicitta with the aim of liberating all sentient beings
11. Exchange your happiness for the suffering of others
12. Dedicate your body, possessions, and all merit to those who would rob you
13. For crimes committed against you, with genuine compassion take all the karmic responsibility on yourself
14. Only say good things about others who are gossiping, slandering, and lying against you
15. For someone who reveals your faults in a humilating way, honor them as though they were your lama
16. Treat with compassion ones that you love who have turned against you
17. For those that treat you with contempt and arrogance, respect them as though they were your lama
18. When you feel your life is unbearable, with bravery imagine every being's karma coming to you
19. Even if you are rich and famous, remember humility and the illusory nature of all things
20. Tame the inner enemy of anger with loving-kindness and compassion
21. Whatever arouses desire in you, abandon it immediately
22. Seeing mind as free from conceptual limitations, release your mind from grasping at phenomena
23. Don't take attractive phenomena to be real; abandon your desire and attachment
24. When meeting with unfavorable circumstances, see them as illusions
25. Give with unceasing generosity, without hope of repayment
26. Guard your moral discipline, unchained by worldly purpose
27. Harmful individuals are like a precious treasure to the bodhisattva; meditate on forbearance
28. Practice diligence, the source of all qualities that benefit others
29. Practice concentration that transcends the four formless realms
30. Using skillful methods, meditate on the perfection of wisdom
31. Be constantly mindful and abandon your delusions
32. Say nothing against any other bodhisattva
33. Avoid the causes of discord and distraction (being showed with gifts, praise, etc.)
34. Avoid harsh words
35. With a brave and watchful mind, destroy the 5 poisons as they arise
36. Always be aware of the state of your own mind
37. Dedicate all merit, with discriminating wisdom, free of contamination

The book is available for purchase from Vimala Treasures:

• http://vimalatreasures.org/path-of-the-bodhisattva.aspx