The Heart of Compassion

Latest revision as of 13:31, 18 September 2020

The Heart of Compassion (Ricard 2006)

Book

What would be the practical implications of caring more about others than about yourself? This is the radical theme of this extraordinary set of instructions, a training manual composed in the fourteenth century by the Buddhist hermit Ngulchu Thogme, here explained in detail by one of the great Tibetan Buddhist masters of the twentieth century, Dilgo Khyentse. In the Mahayana tradition, those who have the courage to undertake the profound change of attitude required to develop true compassion are called bodhisattvas. Their great resolve—to consider others’ needs as paramount, and thus to attain enlightenment for the sake of all living creatures—carries them beyond the limits imposed by the illusions of “I” and “mine,” culminating in the direct realization of reality, transcending dualistic notions of self and other. This classic text presents ways that we can work with our own hearts and minds, starting wherever we find ourselves now, to unravel our small-minded preoccupations and discover our own potential for compassion, love, and wisdom. Many generations of Buddhist practitioners have been inspired by these teachings, and the great masters of all traditions have written numerous commentaries. Dilgo Khyentse’s commentary is probably his most extensive recorded teaching on Mahayana practice. (Source: Shambhala Publications)

Citation	Ricard, Matthieu, and John Canti (Padmakara Translation Group), trans. and ed. The Heart of Compassion: Instructions on Ngulchu Thogme's Thirty-Sevenfold Practice of a Bodhisattva. By Dilgo Khyentse. New Delhi: Shechen Publications, 2006.

Translator's introduction9
Gyalse Ngulchu Thogme (1295-1369)11

THE ROOT TEXT27
THE COMMENTARY37

- INTRODUCTION39
- OPENING VERSES44
  - Homage44

- PART ONE – THE PREPARATION51
  - First, the need to give meaning to this human existence of yours, so rare
    and difficult to obtain51
  - Second, an exhortation to abandon your native land, the source of the
    three poisons58
  - Third, a recommendation to live in solitary places, the source of all
    good qualities60
  - Fourth, to reflect on impermanence, in order to give up the concerns of
    this life63
  - Fifth, the need to avoid unsuitable friends, being with whom creates
    adverse circumstances68
  - Sixth, to rely on a spiritual teacher, whose presence creates conditions favorable to your progress69
  - Seventh, to go for refuge, the entrance to the Buddhist teachings72

- PART TWO – THE MAIN TEACHINGS, ILLUMINATING THE PATH81
  - First, the path for beings of lesser capacity81
  - Second, the path for beings of medium capacity85
  - Third, the path for beings of superior capacity90
    - 1. The bodhicitta of intention90
    - 2. The bodhicitta of application97
      - I. Relative bodhicitta97
        A. The meditation practice of exchanging oneself and
        others98
        
        B. The post-meditation practice of using unfavorable circumstances on the path106
        i. Using on the path the four things that you do not
        want to happen106
        a. How to use loss on the path107
        
        b. How to use suffering on the path109
        
        c. How to use disgrace on the path111
        
        d. How to use disparagement on the path112
        
        ii. Using on the path the two things that are difficult to bear115
        a. How to use on the path being wronged in return
        for kindness115
        
        b. How to use humiliation on the path116
        
        iii. Using deprivation and prosperity on the path117
        a. How to use deprivation on the path117
        
        b. How to use prosperity on the path119
        
        iv. Using hatred and desire on the path120
        a. How to use objects of hatred on the path120
        
        b. How to use objects of desire on the path123
      - II. Absolute bodhicitta125
        A. The meditation practice of remaining in a state free of conceptual elaborations without any clinging125
        
        B. The post-meditation practice of abandoning any belief in
        the objects of desire and aversion as truly existing132
        i. Abandoning any belief in the objects of desire as truly existing132
        
        ii. Abandoning any belief in the objects of aversion as
        truly existing133
    - 3. The precepts for training in those practices136
      - I. Training in the Six Transcendent Perfections136
        A. Transcendent generosity136
        
        B. Transcendent discipline139
        
        C. Transcendent patience141
        
        D. Transcendent diligence144
        
        E. Transcendent concentration148
        
        F. Transcendent wisdom152
      - II. Training in the Four Instructions taught in the Sutra157
        A. To examine oneselffor one's own defects and to give them
        up 157
        
        B. To give up speaking of a bodhisattva's faults160
        
        C. To give up attachment to a sponsor's property163
        
        D. To give up harsh speech165
      - III. Training in how to be rid of the negative emotions166
      - IV. Training in accomplishing others' good with mindfulness and vigilance170
      - V. Dedicating the merit to perfect enlightenment173

- CONCLUDING VERSES177
  - 1. How and for whom this text was composed177
  - 2. The unerring nature of these practices179
  - 3. A humble prayer for forgiveness180
  - 4. Dedicating the merit of having composed this text181
  - 5. The colophon182
- Final Advice182
- About Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991)185

- APPENDIX191
  - Appendix I • Supplementary Commentaries on the Spiritual Teacher
    (Verse 6)193
    - A. The right and wrong teacher193
    - B. A Practice of Guru Yoga195
  - Appendix II • Supplementary Commentary on Desire (Verse 21)199
    - The Dangers of Meat, Alcohol and Sex199
  - Appendix III • Supplementary Commentaries on Transcendent
    Concentration (Verse 29)202
    - A. Sustained Calm and Profound Insight202
    - B. Concentration206
  - Appendix IV • Supplementary Commentaries on Transcendent
    Wisdom208
  - Appendix V • Mind-Training Prayer211

- - Notes218
  - Bibliography230

Khyentse, Dilgo. Oral teachings.
Thogs med bzang po. rgyal sras lag len so bdun ma. Tibetan text is included on pages 101-112. See in rgyal sras thogs med kyi bka' 'bum thor bu, 106-111. Thimphu: kun bzang stobs rgyal, 1975.

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-THE RooT TEXT 27
-THE COMMENTARY 37
-INTRODUCTION 39
-OPENING VERSES 44
-Homage 44
-Contents
-PART ONE o THE PREPARATION 51
-First, the need to give meaning to this human existence of yours, so rare and difficult to obtain 51
-Second, an exhortation to abandon your native land, the source of the three poisons 58
-Third, a recommendation to live in solitary places, the source of all good qualities 60
-Fourth, to reflect on impermanence, in order to give up the concerns of this life 63
-Fifth, the need to avoid unsuitable friends, being with whom creates adverse circumstances 68
-Sixth, to rely on a spiritual teacher, whose presence creates conditions favorable to your progress 69
-Seventh, to go for refuge, the entrance to the Buddhist teachings 72
-PART Two o THE MAIN TEACHINGS, ILLUMINATING THE PATH 81
-First, the path for beings of lesser capacity 81
-Second, the path for beings of medium capacity 85
-Third, the path for beings of superior capacity 90
-. The bodhicitta of intention 90
-. The bodhicitta of application 97
-I. Relative bodhicitta 97
-A. The meditation practice of exchanging oneself and others 98
-B. The post-meditation practice of using unfavorable circumstances on the path 106
-i. Using on the path the four things that you do not want to happen 106
-a. How to use loss on the path 107
-b. How to use suffering on the path 109
-c. How to use disgrace on the path 111
-d. How to use disparagement on the path 112
-ii. Using on the path the two things that are difficult to bear 115
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-a. How to use on the path being wronged in return for kindness 115
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-b. How to use humiliation on the path 116
-iii. Using deprivation and prosperity on the path 117
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-a. How to use deprivation on the path 117
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-b. How to use prosperity on the path 119
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-iv. Using hatred and desire on the path 120
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-II. Absolute bodhicitta 125
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-A. The meditation practice of remaining in a state free of conceptual
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-i. Abandoning any belief in the objects of desire as truly existing 132
+*** {{i|Seventh, to go for refuge, the entrance to the Buddhist teachings|72}}
-ii. Abandoning any belief in the objects of aversion as truly existing 133
-. The precepts for training in those practices 136
+** {{i|PART TWO – THE MAIN TEACHINGS, ILLUMINATING THE PATH|81}}
-I. Training in the Six Transcendent Perfections 136
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-A. Transcendent generosity 136
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-B. Transcendent discipline 139
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-II. Training in the Four Instructions taught in the Sutra 157
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-A. To examine oneselffor one's own defects and to give them up 157
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-B. To give up speaking of a bodhisattva's faults 160
+******** {{i|a. How to use loss on the path|107}}
-C. To give up attachment to a sponsor's property 163
+******** {{i|b. How to use suffering on the path|109}}
-D. To give up harsh speech 165
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-Ill. Training in how to be rid of the negative emotions 166
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-IV. Training in accomplishing others' good with mindfulness and vigilance 170
+******* {{i|ii. Using on the path the two things that are difficult to &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;bear|115}}
-V. Dedicating the merit to perfect enlightenment 173
+******** {{i|a. How to use on the path being wronged in return<br>for kindness|115}}
-CONCLUDING VERSES 177
+******** {{i|b. How to use humiliation on the path|116}}
-. How and for whom this text was composed 177
+******* {{i|iii. Using deprivation and prosperity on the path|117}}
-. The unerring nature of these practices 179
+******** {{i|a. How to use deprivation on the path|117}}
-. A humble prayer for forgiveness 180
+******** {{i|b. How to use prosperity on the path|119}}
-. Dedicating the merit of having composed this text 181
+******* {{i|iv. Using hatred and desire on the path|120}}
-. The colophon 182
+******** {{i|a. How to use objects of hatred on the path|120}}
-Final Advice 182
+******** {{i|b. How to use objects of desire on the path|123}}
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-About Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991) 185
+****** {{i|A. The meditation practice of remaining in a state free of conceptual elaborations without any clinging|125}}
-APPENDIX 191
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-CoNTENTS 7
+******* {{i|i. Abandoning any belief in the objects of desire as truly existing|132}}
-Appendix I • Supplementary Commentaries on the Spiritual Teacher (Verse 6) 193
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-A. The right and wrong teacher 193
+**** {{i|3. The precepts for training in those practices|136}}
-B. A Practice of Guru Yoga 195
+***** {{i|I. Training in the Six Transcendent Perfections|136}}
-Appendix II • Supplementary Commentary on Desire (Verse 21) 199
+****** {{i|A. Transcendent generosity|136}}
-The Dangers of Meat, Alcohol and Sex 199
+****** {{i|B. Transcendent discipline|139}}
-Appendix Ill • Supplementary Commentaries on Transcendent Concentration (Verse 29) 202
+****** {{i|C. Transcendent patience|141}}
-A. Sustained Calm and Profound Insight 202
+****** {{i|D. Transcendent diligence|144}}
-B. Concentration 206
+****** {{i|E. Transcendent concentration|148}}
-Appendix IV • Supplementary Commentaries on Transcendent Wisdom 208
+****** {{i|F. Transcendent wisdom|152}}
-Appendix V • Mind-Training Prayer 211
+***** {{i|II. Training in the Four Instructions taught in the Sutra|157}}
-Notes 218
+****** {{i|A. To examine oneselffor one's own defects and to give them<br>up |157}}
-Bibliography 230
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+***** {{i|IV. Training in accomplishing others' good with mindfulness and vigilance|170}}
+***** {{i|V. Dedicating the merit to perfect enlightenment|173}}
+** {{i|CONCLUDING VERSES|177}}
+*** {{i|1. How and for whom this text was composed|177}}
+*** {{i|2. The unerring nature of these practices|179}}
+*** {{i|3. A humble prayer for forgiveness|180}}
+*** {{i|4. Dedicating the merit of having composed this text|181}}
+*** {{i|5. The colophon|182}}
+** {{i|Final Advice|182}}
+** {{i|About Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991)|185}}
+** {{i|APPENDIX|191}}
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+**** {{i|A. The right and wrong teacher|193}}
+**** {{i|B. A Practice of Guru Yoga|195}}
+*** {{i|Appendix II • Supplementary Commentary on Desire (Verse 21)|199}}
+**** {{i|The Dangers of Meat, Alcohol and Sex|199}}
+*** {{i|Appendix III • Supplementary Commentaries on Transcendent<br>Concentration (Verse 29)|202}}
+**** {{i|A. Sustained Calm and Profound Insight|202}}
+**** {{i|B. Concentration|206}}
+*** {{i|Appendix IV • Supplementary Commentaries on Transcendent<br>Wisdom|208}}
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