Words of Advice

from The Essential Amrita of Profound Meaning: Oral Instructions and Practical Advice Bestowed Upon Fortunate Followers, Eye-opener to What is to be Adopted and Abandoned

by Chokgyur Lingpa

To the foremost embodiment of the Three Jewels, we supplicate!
Bless us, so our mindstreams are imbued with the three vows!¹

Forget about the two-hundred and fifty rules²—
it’s incredible how these people act like fully ordained monks
yet don’t even know how to put on their robes properly!
I suggest you refer to the teachings of the Vinaya.³

Forget about altruistic thoughts of cherishing others more than oneself—
it’s incredible how these people feign bodhicitta
when they lack even the slightest kind-hearted thought!
I suggest you refer to the Great Vehicle sutras.

Forget about the hundred-thousand samayas—
it’s incredible how these people pretend to be tantric practitioners
while remaining unaffected by their guru’s chastisements!
I suggest you refer to the codes of conduct for secret mantra.

Forget about at all times maintaining an undistracted mind—
it’s incredible how these people act like meditation masters
without recollecting death even for the slightest instant!
Inquire within your own mind why genuine practice isn’t happening.

These people point their fingers at the faults of others
without ever investigating their own shortcomings.
Even their own noses are shamed by the words that spew from their mouths!
What benefit could there be from their teachings?

Randomly spouting Dharma teachings to others
when your own mind lacks even the faintest connection to any aspect of the Dharma—
this is really no different from a maṇi mantra squawked by a parrot.

How absurd is this type of studying and teaching!
Attaining liberation is surely bound to be difficult!
Wouldn’t you agree? Please ask your own mind.
It would be tremendous if, for once, you could turn your attention inwards.

This was written by Chokgyur Lingpa at the request of Chödar, the head of the Zhendzong monastery. May this bring goodness!

| Lhasey Lotsawa Translations, 2021.

Bibliography

Source text

• mChog gyur gling pa, “rJes ’jug skal bzang rnams la bstal pa’i zhal gdams bslab bya nyams len gyi skor spang blang mig ’byed zab don snying gi bdud rtsi.” In mChog gling bka’ ’bum skor. Vol. 36 of mChog gling bde chen zhig po gling pa yi zab gter yid bzhin nor bu’i mdzod chen po, 87-88. Kathmandu, Nepal: Ka-nying Shedrub Ling monastery, 2004.