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,
Ones 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 Rinpoches 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 ones 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
bodhisattvas way of life and releasing the negative thoughts
through knowing the nature of ones 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 ones 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 ones 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

7
th
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 Bodhisattvas way of life is his
favorite text and Patrul Rinpoche gives teachings on A Guide to
the Bodhisattvas Way of Life every year.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama when he teaches on Shantidevas A
Guide to the Bodhisattvas 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



Rinpoches 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.





THE WAY OF LIVING
13

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?
THE WAY OF LIVING
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
mans 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 dont know
anything about Dharma and you wont listen to worldly advice.
Therefore, it is better for this old man to continue on his own
path.

THE WAY OF LIVING
15

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 dont 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
THE WAY OF LIVING
16

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 ones 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 peoples
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 peoples 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:



THE WAY OF LIVING
17

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 Shantidevas A Guide
to the Bodhisattvas 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 elses 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.

THE WAY OF LIVING
18

Even if you perceive impurities in them, you should maintain
your pure outlook and generate devotion towards them. Dont
allow yourself to degenerate; the fault of others wont 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,

Dont look for faults in others but observe your own
Dont 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 ones true nature that they do not embody any qualities
of either spiritual or worldly ethics.
Other examples include:
THE WAY OF LIVING
19


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 shouldnt 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
cant 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.
THE WAY OF LIVING
20

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
THE WAY OF LIVING
21

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
persons 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?

THE WAY OF LIVING
22

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:

Dont be quick to praise a stranger,
Dont 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,
THE WAY OF LIVING
23

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 mothers 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
THE WAY OF LIVING
24

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.
THE WAY OF LIVING
25


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
womens 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
THE WAY OF LIVING
26

enemy is someone who is gentle in nature and capable of
friendship, a wise mans 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.

THE WAY OF LIVING
27

Some foolish people when they do have good family and friends,
they dont 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,
THE WAY OF LIVING
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.
Dont 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 didnt 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 ones 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
THE WAY OF LIVING
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
ones 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. Dont 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 dont 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. Dont feel so
self-important and proud when you are flourishing in your
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31

standard of living. Dont challenge the authority of lamas and
chieftains, or Tantric yogis, Bonpos and so on. Dont follow after a
person who frequently changes their mind shifting between
happy and sad instantly. Dont trust everything that is said; dont
consider everyone who harms you to be your enemy. Dont reveal
deepest thoughts even to someone very close to you. Dont point
out secret faults even you quarrel with someone. Dont expect
from people who has gone away. Dont be short lived dedication
with someone who has benefitted you. Dont trust anyone unless
you know the person well. Dont speak so much in a crowd. Dont
be so busy while staying alone. You must not impulsively
undertake many projects at any moment. Dont deceive a trusted
friend. Dont be attracted to others 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 peoples 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 wont 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 ones 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 couldnt undo their
actions. Again there are many cases where someone has been
deceived through relying upon someone elses 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 shouldnt speak out unless you really know the matter.
Dont 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 parents 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.


THE WAY OF LIVING
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 couldnt 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 dont 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 Ill have plenty of material assets and a
comfortable life, but it says in the guide to the Bodhisattvas 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 cant 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
ones 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 ones 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 beggars 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 ones 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 wouldnt 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

Ones 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

Ones 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
Ones 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

Ones 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 Bodhisattvas 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 ones 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