Gyalsey_Laglen_v2_24092014_e-book

As common ignorant beings, we are not yet qualified to realise genuine
compassion directly. Therefore, the external forms of Avalokiteshvara seen in
thangkas or pictures help us in the visualisation. The appearance of a compassionate
deity or “goddess of mercy” or whatever you may call the deity is an expression or
form of great compassion.
This particular text is an instruction on the activities of the Bodhisattva, what
they are supposed to do and what they are not supposed to do. The instructions are
very clear. The text was composed by Ngulchu Thogme Zangpo, an enlightened
teacher of scripture and logic. He himself has realised genuine compassion and
genuine love, not superficially but profoundly. The text, which he has kindly
given to us, is a text from his heart. It describes the 37 practices of all great
Bodhisattvas. It may sound as if they are meant only for Bodhisattvas but that is
not true.
We are all Bodhisattvas. Unfortunately, because of our ignorance, we are not
good Bodhisattvas though many of us have taken the Bodhisattva vows. We are
also in the Mahayana* school and tradition. We even claim to be Vajrayana*
practitioners but without understanding the Mahayana, how can we attain the
Vajrayana It is impossible. Since we are already Bodhisattvas, no matter how
good or bad, we must practise this text. To live by the Dharma depends on full
knowledge of how we must practise and what we must do, thus I will attempt
now a brief explanation of what is the practice of all Buddhas’ Sons.
These four sentences contain a promise to achieve Buddhahood and realisation,
but it is a promise needed to be practiced. It is not something spontaneous. It
comes from a cause and the cause is the practice. None of the Buddhas have
become realised without practicing. That is why these instructions were given. It
is important to understand that all Buddhas attained perfect enlightenment by
following the path firmly and correctly. By possessing the innate Buddha nature,
we also have that potential. Though we practise and try to attain Buddhahood,
without developing certain skills, we lose many chances.
These instructions are important and desperately needed. The Bodhisattva
path, or following in the Bodhisattva’s footsteps, is the key practice for becoming
an enlightened being. The Bodhisattva path is the compassionate path. Whatever
we do and whatever we say must come out of compassion and love, which means
not being involved with selfish attitudes. We have to avoid this.
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