The Excellent Vessel of Ambrosia: A Commentary on the Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas

Author: Dzatrul Ngawang Tenzin Norbu
Translator(s)/ Editors(s): Julia Wilson
Publisher: Library of Tibetan Works & Archives
Year: 2016
Language: English
Pages: 219
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9789383441730

Description

Dzatrul Ngawang Tenzin Norbu's Excellent Vessel of Ambrosia is a commentary on the much-loved Tibetan Buddhist classic The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas composed by the fourteenth century scholar and meditation master Thokme Sangpo.

In this elegant and lucid commentary, Dzatrul Ngawang Tenzin Norbu provides us with practical guidelines to cultivate the stages of the Buddhist path—from the fundamental contemplations to advanced mind training exercises and meditation. The guidelines are derived from the author's personal experience, with reference to the sutras and tantras as well as Indian commentaries and those of Tibetan Buddhist masters of all major traditions.

Dzatrul Ngawang Tenzin Norbu shows us how to recognize the great potential of our ephemeral human life, how to identify and rely on an authentic teacher, how to cultivate disenchantment with cyclic existence, and how to rouse the altruistic mind of enlightenment and develop insight into the nature of reality. He also offers profound advice on how to effectively deal with destructive emotions—such as attachment, hatred, envy, and miserliness—and how to transform adverse conditions into the spiritual path.

His guidelines are relevant for the neophyte and seasoned practitioner, as well as others who may have an interest in developing the mind and gaining a deeper understanding of reality.

Contents

Contents

Introduction

ONE PRELUDE

RELATING THE TITLE OF THE ROOT TEXT
THE HOMAGE VERSES
THE AUTHOR'S PROMISE TO COMPOSE THE TEXT

TWO MAIN BODY

PART I: THE WAY OF ENGAGING IN THE PRELIMINARY PRACTICES

Verse 1: The Difficulty of Obtaining a Life of Leisure and Endowment
Verse 2: Leaving One's Homeland
Verse 3: Relying on Seclusion
Verse 4: Recollection of Impermanence
Verse 5: Giving Up Bad Companions
Verse 6: Relying on Good Companions
Verse 7: Taking Refuge

PART II: THE PATHS OF THE THREE TYPES OF INDIVIDUALS

The Path of the Individual of the Small Scope
Verse 8: The Path of the Individual of the Small Scope

The Path of the Individual of the Middle Scope
Verse 9: Nonattached to Samsaric Pleasures and Seeking Liberation

The Path of the Individual of the Great Scope
Verse 10: The Attitude: Generating the Mind of Supreme Enlightenment

Verse 11: Meditation on Equalizing and Exchanging Oneself for Others

Verse 12: Taking Not Finding What You Wish for onto the Path

Verse 13: Taking Suffering onto the Path

Verse 14: Taking Defamation onto the Path

Verse 15: Taking Degradation onto the Path

Verse 16: Taking Ingratitude onto the Path

Verse 17: Taking Disparagement onto the Path

Verse 18: Taking Decline onto the Path

Verse 19: Taking Prosperity onto the Path

Verse 20: Taking an Object of Hatred onto the Path

Verse 21: Taking an Object of Attachment onto the Path

Verse 22: The Cultivation of Nonconceptuality Free of Elaboration during Meditative Equipoise

Verse 23: The Abandonment of Clinging to an Object of Attachment as Truly Existent in the Postmeditative Period


Verse 24: The Abandonment of Attachment to an Object of Hatred as Truly Existent in the Postmeditative Period

PART I: TRAINING IN THE PRECEPTS OF THE MIND OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Verse 25: Training in Transcendent Generosity

Verse 26: Training in Transcendent Ethical Discipline

Verse 27: Training in Transcendent Patience

Verse 28: Training in Transcendent Enthusiastic Effort

Verse 29: Training in Transcendent Concentration

Verse 30: The Way of Training in Transcendent Wisdom

Verse 31: The Abandonment of Your Own Faults Having Examined Them Yourself

Verse 32: The Abandonment of Speaking of the Faults of Other Bodhisattvas

Verse 33: The Abandonment of Attachment to the Household of the Benefactor

Verse 34: The Abandonment of Speaking Harsh Words

Verse 35: Training in the Way of Eliminating the Afflictive Emotions

Verse 36: Training in Benefiting Others Conjoined with Mindfulness and Introspection

Verse 37: The Dedication of Virtue to Perfect Enlightenment

PART II: THE SUMMARY
The Author's Purpose for Composing this Text
The Author's Demonstration of the Authenticity of the Practices
The Author's Expression of Humility and Apology
The Author's Dedication of the Virtue of Composing this Work to Great Enlightenment
The Author Pens His Name Associated with the Four Complete Attributes

Endnotes
Root Text
Extended Outline
Bibliography
Index