Gyalsey_Laglen_v2_24092014_e-book

SYNOPSIS
To read through the “Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattva” or the “Thirty-
Seven Practices of the Heart Sons of Buddha” is to embark on a journey
of discovery because each practice acts like a beacon along the path to eventual
enlightenment.
In essence, it is a map of liberation from suffering, embracing the necessary
practices to achieve it. The 37 stanzas, beautifully and concisely explained, often
with a sense of humour by the Gyalwang Drukpa, concentrate on eradicating our
ignorance, while at the same time guide us to understand why we suffer, to help
us abandon the causes of suffering, to apply the path to the cessation of suffering
and to realise that suffering really can end.
The text was composed by the Tibetan Bodhisattva Ngulchu Thogme Zangpo
(1245-1369), a teacher of scripture and logic who had a profound realisation of
genuine compassion and genuine love. It is a text from his heart; an instruction
on the activities of the Bodhisattva, the dos and don’ts.
For the reader, a true delight would be the discovery that these instructions are
not only both elegant and clear, but also meant for all of us, not just for advanced
Bodhisattvas. In reality, we all are Bodhisattvas, however ignorant we may be at
this moment.
Although nothing is really bestowed upon either us or those who have achieved
enlightenment, these teachings give us hope that by following the genuine path,
we will be like the enlightened sages one day. Buddhahood is not reserved for
some and not others. It is for everyone, except those who do not practise the path
of Dharma.
From these stanzas we also learn that enlightenment is not something
spontaneous. It comes from a cause and the cause is diligent practice. All the
Buddhas in the past became enlightened because of diligent practice. That is why
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