Verse 36: In everything, watch the mind, benefit others
Verse 36 of Gyalse Tokme Zangpo’s 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, from the section “Final precepts, daily conduct.” Below: the verse in three translations and what seven teachers say about it.
Open in the study browser →In brief, wherever you are and whatever you do, always examine the state of your mind. Act to accomplish the purpose of others through constant mindfulness and awareness. This is the way of a bodhisattva.
In short, no matter what one might be doing, By examining always the status of one's mind, With continuous mindfulness and alertness, To bring about the good of others—this is the practice of all the bodhisattvas.
In short, in everything you do, Know what is happening in your mind. By being constantly present and aware You bring about what helps others — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.
In all four activities — walking, staying, sitting, sleeping — watch the mind; "we must daily cleanse from our mind thoughts of hatred and jealousy." Treats the verse as the compressed recap of the whole path's daily conduct: think everyone good, speak well to everyone, treat each person met as your parent.
Constant mindfulness means "nothing in us is secret, everything is known." Scripts a self-address for the moment a harmful impulse arises — born in the Land of Snows, guided by precious gurus, to act badly with all these opportunities "is deceiving the gurus and bodhisattvas." Ends on his servant theme: be "nothing more than a servant of other sentient beings."
The practical summary of the path: continuous self-monitoring in every activity and place. "Mindfulness holds on to discipline, love, compassion, and bodhichitta"; alertness is the alarm. Cites Atisha: watch your speech in company, watch your mind alone.
The umbrella verse synthesizing all preceding practices — monastery or city, monastic or householder. The examination must reach motivation itself: even altruistic deeds checked for hidden pride or subtle self-interest.
The homely device: address yourself by name — "Michael, what are you doing now? What is in your mind?" All twelve categories of the Tripitaka reduce to protecting the mind, examining the mind, benefiting others. If intention is purely altruistic, "perfection will naturally arise," wherever you live. Quote: "Everyone wants happiness, but the true way to reach perfect happiness yourself is to bring happiness to others" (Patrul Rinpoche).
Winter Retreat vv29–37 talk.
Talk 12: moment-to-moment awareness of inner experience is the condition for genuinely helpful action toward others. Tricycle v36 (video/subscriber).
every teacher reads "in short" literally — this verse is the text. Atisha's company/alone rule (AB), KS's name-address device, and HHDL's identity-based self-talk are three concrete forms of the same continuous practice. A natural closing-session verse to send the group home with. ---
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche — The Heart of Compassion (Shambhala). A purchased book — no text is reproduced here.