The opening verses of the 37 Verses on the Practice of a Bodhisattva serve to pay homage and set the intention. It reads,
I pay constant homage through my three doors,
To my supreme teacher and protector Chenrezig,
Who while seeing all phenomena lack coming and going,
Makes single-minded effort for the good of living beings.
Perfect Buddhas, source of all well-being and happiness,
Arise from accomplishing the excellent teachings,
And this depends on knowing the practices.
So I will explain the practices of bodhisattvas.
As I mentioned, this text was written by Gyelsay Togmay Zongpo. He begins by offering thanks to the Buddha of Compassion, who has many names: Chenrezig, Lokeshvara, Avalokiteshvara, Kuan Yin, Kannon. (Side note: the mantra for Lokeshvara is the famous “om mani padme hum.”) But the homage is the same. When we draw near to those who suffer, we find a deep well of compassion within. This is why we practice. And for Tibetan Buddhists, they offer thanks to the Buddha of Compassion for embodying and assisting them in this way.
The second section serves more as an intention. If we want to be “perfect Buddhas” (people who are trying), it depends on us knowing the practices that will help us live out these excellent teachings. And thus, the purpose of the 37 verses.
Ken McLeod writes, “Spiritual practice often begins with awe, the feeling of being intimately connected to something that is infinitely greater than you… Whatever practice you do, begin with awe.” What a beautiful intention for us as we begin.
He also shares the story of a sword master who had his new student carry a wooden stick around everywhere. The sword master would regularly attack the student, and he would have to react with his stick. Over time, this practice gave him all the skills he needed. It’s just about carrying it around, and practicing. That’s what we’ll be doing with these verses. We’re going to carry them around, and practice when something comes up. And we will trust that it’s forming us, giving us skills of compassion.
One last note: the “three doors” mentioned above are body, mind and spirit, because this path of the bodhisattva is a wholehearted way of living. So with compassion, and awe, and a willingness to practice, let us begin!
