The six paramitas · Verse 28 of 37
Verse 28: Diligence
Verse 28 of The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas, the fourteenth-century Tibetan poem by Gyalse Tokme Zangpo (1295–1369). It belongs to the section on six paramitas.
Even hearers or solitary realizers, who accomplish only their own purpose, strive as if putting out fires on their heads. Seeing this, practice with diligence—the source of good qualities—for the sake of all beings. This is the way of a bodhisattva.
The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to strive with enthusiastic diligence—
The source of all good qualities—when working for the sake of all who live;
Seeing that even śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas, who labour for themselves alone,
Exert themselves as if urgently trying to extinguish fires upon their heads.
Listeners and solitary buddhas, working only for their own welfare,
Are seen to practice as if their heads were on fire.
To help all beings, pour your energy into practice:
It's the source of all abilities — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.
A facilitator's reading across the commentaries
KS's "joyous, never grim" and KTGR's "from love, not obligation" answer the verse's apparent severity — the fire-on-head image sets the urgency, not the mood. KS's three lazinesses with antidotes is ready-made group material: everyone recognizes theirs.
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
The Mahayana multiplier: reciting 100 manis, visualize all sentient beings reciting with you — the merit is as if all beings recited, since no being possesses an "I": "It is like a drop of water, when merged with the ocean, will become the ocean." Recite even on the bus; morning refuge includes all beings.
Full commentary: 37practices.info (37practices.info serves this as one long page; find the verse by number.)
H.H. the Dalai Lama Gelug
No commentary on the 1974 source for this verse (root verse only).
Full commentary: 37practices.info (37practices.info serves this as one long page; find the verse by number.)
Dr. Alexander Berzin Gelug
"Perseverance" (virya) roots in hero: energetic, heroic engagement free of discouragement, laziness, self-deprecation. The a-fortiori argument: if Hinayana practitioners pursuing mere self-liberation would ignore fire on their own heads to keep meditating, how much more a bodhisattva working for everyone. "With this attitude, we endure and go on and on with our spiritual work, regardless of how difficult it is."
Full commentary: studybuddhism.com
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche Karma Kagyu
Joyous effort arises naturally from love and compassion, never fear or obligation; diligence carries the same four qualities as patience. Milarepa's visible diligence itself inspired trust in countless beings.
Full commentary: dharmaebooks.org (Free ebook, trans. Suzanne Schefczyk.)
Khenpo Sodargye Nyingma, Larung Gar
True diligence is "joyous effort" — spontaneous, lively, "never grim self-forcing." Three types (armor-like, in virtue, insatiable in serving others), each opposed by a laziness with its antidote: craving comfort → meditate on death; faint-heartedness ("a person like us will never reach enlightenment") → reflect on liberation's benefits; busyness with this life → see it causes only suffering. Diligence permeates all other paramitas.
Full commentary: khenposodargye.org (Free ebook PDF.)
Ven. Thubten Chodron Sravasti Abbey, Gelug
Winter Retreat vv25–28 talk · 2020 Six Paramitas talk.
Full commentary: thubtenchodron.org
Ken McLeod Shambhala / independent
Talk 10. Tricycle v28 (video/subscriber).
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.