Colophon
The Closing Verses: Closing verses
The Closing Verses of The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas by Gyalse Tokme Zangpo (1295–1369).
Here I have set down for those who wish to follow the bodhisattva path,
Thirty-seven practices to be adopted by all the buddhas' heirs,
Based on what is taught in the sūtras, tantras and treatises,
And following the instructions of the great masters of the past.Since my intellect is only feeble and I have studied but a little,
This is not a composition likely to delight the connoisseurs,
Yet since I've relied upon the sūtras and what the saints have taught
I feel these are indeed the genuine trainings of the buddhas' heirs.Still, the tremendous waves of activity of the bodhisattvas
Are difficult for simple-minded folk like me to comprehend,
And I must therefore beg the indulgence of all the perfect saints
For any contradictions, irrelevancies or other flaws this may contain.Through whatever merit has here been gained, may all beings
Generate sublime bodhicitta, both relative and absolute,
And through this, come to equal Lord Avalokiteśvara,
Transcending the extremes of existence and quiescence.This was composed in Jewel Cave (Rinchen Puk) in Ngulchu by the monk Tokme, a teacher of scripture and reasoning, for his own and others' benefit.
A facilitator's reading across the commentaries
Tokme Zangpo's closing move — total confidence in the teaching, zero confidence in himself — is itself the last teaching, verse 31 enacted. A fitting final-session reading: the author models the seat you've been trying to hold all along. --- This completes the per-verse compendium: homage, verses 1–37, colophon. Companion files: [[COMMENTARIES — Master Catalog]] · [[COMPENDIUM — Homage and Verses 1–7]] · [[COMPENDIUM — Verses 8–11]] · [[COMPENDIUM — Verses 12–21]] · [[COMPENDIUM — Verses 22–24]] · [[COMPENDIUM — Verses 25–30]].
KTGR Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche · KS Khenpo Sodargye · KM Ken McLeod
What the teachers say
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche Karma Kagyu
The humility is Tibetan ritual modesty and a safeguard: Thogme disclaims intelligence yet affirms the practices are unmistaken because scripturally based — a paradox guarding against both pride and doubt. The dedication: may all beings become like Chenrezig, transcending both samsara and nirvana's one-sided peace.
Full commentary: dharmaebooks.org (Free ebook, trans. Suzanne Schefczyk.)
Khenpo Sodargye Nyingma, Larung Gar
Five parts: composed from sutras, tantras, shastras, and the Kadampa masters with "no personal invention" — he contrasts modern writers who "write whatever they like... without making reference to sutras and shastras." The self-belittling counteracts pride (Thogme in fact mastered the Five Great Treatises); speaking modestly even when confident "is the behavior of the wise." The final dedication holds the two bodhicittas: relative keeps one from nirvana's extreme, ultimate from samsara's.
Full commentary: khenposodargye.org (Free ebook PDF.)
Ken McLeod Shambhala / independent
Talk 12 covers the closing verses (vv35–41 in his count) — renunciation, presence, and the flow of awakening.
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.