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Do you wish to get closer to the meaning and feel of the Buddha’s teachings, and/or the compositions and commentaries by the great Tibetan Buddhist masters? One way to do so is to read the original texts in their source language. 

This November 17, Karmapa Center 16’s resident teacher, Acharya Lhakpa Tshering, will begin teaching on The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva during our Sunday Meditation for All. We will also start studying this precious text, written by the great master Ngülchu Thogme Zangpo, in KC16’s Tibetan Language Class, in the original Tibetan. We will study literary Tibetan, grammar, and also the art of translating during this online class.

Why read the Thirty-Seven Practices in Tibetan?

Translating the text into our own mother tongue, or other languages, not only enriches and deepens our understanding and practice of the dharma, it also allows us to share the teachings and offer perspectives to others who do not know Tibetan but wish to get closer to the author’s intent. 

If you are interested in reading The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva in Tibetan and learning (literary or classical) Tibetan in general, then please join us and register below. This is a continuation of our current class, so some knowledge of Tibetan, or the willingness to study the basics (especially the alphabet and pronunciation), is needed to make the class meaningful for all participants. 

Online Class

The class is online from 7 to 8.30 pm (Central Time, Chicago, US) on Sundays. Recordings are made available to all participants to review or catch up on when you can’t join live. If you have any questions about this class, please write an email to communications@karmapacenter16.org. 

Thirty-seven points for working with our mind

We look forward to studying Tibetan and this root text that, as Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche points out, “contains thirty-seven key points for working with our mind, first through taming—finding a way to bring the mind home, to a state of calmness and clarity—and then through cultivating the heart of kindness and compassion. It is, in fact, a practical guide on how to follow the path of the bodhisattvas, verse by verse.” 

Let’s travel together on this path of compassion. 

Karmapa Khyenno!

Registration

Making an offering or donation is optional and is not required to register for our Tibetan Language Class: 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva. You can join for free by selecting a ‘free ticket’. If you would like, you can make a donation to support our Stūpa Project. After selecting a ‘free ticket’ or making an offering (of any amount) below, the Zoom link and other practical information will be delivered in a confirmation email.

The following article was published in the most recent edition of the Nalanda Translation Committee newsletter.

Karmapa Khyenno!

With your supreme intelligence, you realized the intention
Of the unsurpassable vehicle, the tradition of Padmakara.
Guru of unequalled kindness, I remember you from my heart.
I supplicate you—bless me with your compassion.
I, Pema Trinley Palzang, a performer of three activities,
From now on, will take control of my own discipline in thought and deed.
I make a firm commitment, as follows,
To avoid thoughtlessness and senselessness.

In physical conduct, I will not allow myself to be rootless and hurried,
Incapable of being still, carelessly following my every whim.
I will always hold my own space
And be adorned by the training in pure discipline.

In speech, whether spiritual or secular,
I will choose meaningful words
And shun unconnected talk of past events or boring discussions concerning any of the three times.
I will always exert myself in dharmic recitations, proclamations, and readings.

In mind, I will not flutter back and forth like a young bird on a branch.
Not getting absorbed in discursive thoughts of good and bad,
I will meditate, cultivating forbearance and relying on my own perceptions, not those of others.
I will reflect on how best to benefit the teachings and beings.

In particular, the vital essence of the thought of all victorious ones
Is the true nature—the uncontrived, innate dharmakaya.
Without ever lapsing, I will sustain it with one taste in equipoise and post-meditation.
In sum, I will hold myself to the sublime, dharmic conduct of the three gates,
Not falling under the influence of others.
Arrogance, haughtiness, or thoughts of self- aggrandizement—whatever of these arises,
I will not let them move me in the slightest.
I will remain dignified, and fearless, like a mountain.

Until this collection of elements has rotted away,
I will not waver from this way of being.
Of this way I will be a fearless warrior—that will be my quality.
This is my vow, like an image carved in stone.
May it be virtuous!
Gods and protectors, work to help this come to pass!
May the virtuous signs of auspiciousness excellently blaze!

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Composed by the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, the verses were selected by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and translated by Tyler Dewar under his guidance, from Heart Advice of the Karmapa.