Succinct Counsel

Succinct Counsel

by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Having paid homage at the guru’s feet, I offer this:

A human form such as this is rarely obtained
And will be difficult to find again in future.
Those who discover a jewel but then
Let go of it easily are foolish indeed.

This situation could easily disappear.
Generate conviction in impermanence.
Strive to adopt and avoid actions according to their effects,
And reflect on the tribulations of saṃsāra.

Take the Three Jewels as your refuge.[1]
Constantly consider the benefit of others.

Always check the status of your own mind.
When mind is virtuous there’s no problem.
If the mind itself is unwholesome,
Then even seemingly excellent deeds
Can be a cause of deceiving yourself and others,
Accruing faults beyond measure.

It is vital, therefore, to tame one’s mind
By employing the three factors known as
Mindfulness, vigilance and conscientiousness.

It is crucial that you be without any form of attachment
As you practice the bodhisattva activity of generosity and the like.
Those who entertain conceptual references
Have strayed far from the conduct of a bodhisattva.

The nature of all phenomena is emptiness.
Settle, without contrivance through intellectual speculation
About emptiness, which is itself free from conceptual elaboration,
In an ongoing experience that is like space.

The root of this is to apply the key point
Of devotion towards one’s root guru
And strive for a vast motivation and conduct.
At first you might see by way of a generic notion,
But then this will develop into direct realization.

At times, intensively cultivate compassion.
Repeatedly purify attachment to the reality of appearance.
Engage in illusory activity.
This will serve to bring about enhancement on the path.

I, Jamyang Lodrö Gyatso,
Composed this brief counsel
In response to a request from Arapatsa.
Through its virtue may we attain supreme omniscience!

| Translated by Adam Pearcey with the generous support of the Khyentse Foundation and Tertön Sogyal Trust, 2022.

Bibliography

Tibetan Edition

'Jam dbyangs chos kyi blo gros. 'Jam dbyangs chos kyi blo gros kyi gsung 'bum. 12 vols. Bir, H.P.: Khyentse Labrang, 2012. (W1KG12986) Vol. 8: 365–366

Version: 1.0-20230620