Transforming adversity · Verse 19 of 37
Verse 19: When prosperous and praised: no conceit
Verse 19 of The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas, the fourteenth-century Tibetan poem by Gyalse Tokme Zangpo (1295–1369). It belongs to the section on transforming adversity.
Though you may be famous and revered by many and are as rich as the wealth god himself, having seen that worldly fortune is without essence, do not be proud. This is the way of a bodhisattva.
Even though I may be famous and revered by all,
And as rich as Vaiśravaṇa, the god of wealth himself,
To see the futility of all the glory and riches of this world
And to remain without conceit—this is the practice of all the bodhisattvas.
Even when you are famous, honored by all,
And as rich as the god of wealth himself,
Don't be pompous. Know that the magnificence of existence
Has no substance — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.
A facilitator's reading across the commentaries
Vv18–19 are a deliberate pair — the two great obstacles, despondency and prosperity (HHDL flags this explicitly at v17's end). KM's Tricycle question ("success harder than failure?") makes the pair immediate for laypeople. HHDL's candor about lamas needing this most gives the verse teeth.
GR Garchen Rinpoche · HHDL H.H. the Dalai Lama · AB Dr. Alexander Berzin · KTGR Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche · KS Khenpo Sodargye · TC Ven. Thubten Chodron · KM Ken McLeod
What the teachers say
Garchen Rinpoche Drikung Kagyu
Only stabilized bodhicitta has substance — "the thing that is useful and can be taken with you is your Bodhicitta." Two faults of attachment to wealth/fame: growing desire obstructs liberation, and it breeds jealousy — schadenfreude at others' misery being a warning sign that one's merit is nearly exhausted.
Full commentary: 37practices.info (37practices.info serves this as one long page; find the verse by number.)
H.H. the Dalai Lama Gelug
The danger point: pride can swell to "I can outdo Nagarjuna"; the proud critic "sitting there like an owl." Cites Dromtönpa: "Though others may rate us very highly, the most expedient course is to see ourselves in the lowest rank" — which he tries to practice. Sociological aside: humility is easy in Tibetan society, hard in the West "because people take advantage of you"; lamas and tulkus especially must practice it.
Full commentary: 37practices.info (37practices.info serves this as one long page; find the verse by number.)
Dr. Alexander Berzin Gelug
The built-in disadvantages of success: celebrities can't walk down the street, the rich are endlessly solicited — "the more famous we are, the more demands there are on our time... we have no time for ourselves." Use wealth and position for others while they last.
Full commentary: studybuddhism.com
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche Karma Kagyu
The wealthy fear poverty, the famous fear obscurity — both suffer while still possessing what they crave. Modern touch: technology accelerates impermanence; today's fame fades tomorrow.
Full commentary: dharmaebooks.org (Free ebook, trans. Suzanne Schefczyk.)
Khenpo Sodargye Nyingma, Larung Gar
Wealth and glory are lightning, dewdrop, bubble, summer rainbow. Antidotes: impermanence meditation, dispelling arrogance ("When arrogance inflates the mind, it draws it down to a state of misery" — Shantideva), and acting as servant of beings — wealth for others' food, clothing, shelter, and ultimately Dharma. Ideal: Potowa's equanimity — no discouragement after ten cities of empty alms bowls, no elation in wealth.
Full commentary: khenposodargye.org (Free ebook PDF.)
Ven. Thubten Chodron Sravasti Abbey, Gelug
Winter Retreat vv16–21 talk.
Full commentary: thubtenchodron.org
Ken McLeod Shambhala / independent
Talk 7: staying present in success as much as in despair. Tricycle v19 questions: what do you feel in your body when you succeed? Has success ever been harder to bear than failure?
Full commentary: unfetteredmind.org (Tricycle's per-verse written commentary is behind a subscriber paywall.)
Further reading: Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, The Heart of Compassion (Shambhala). A purchased book — no text is reproduced here.