“Attainment of the supreme state of Buddhahood will not be accomplished merely by thinking “may I attain it.” I shall therefore take the Bodhisattva vows, endeavor to follow the practises, and engage in the activities of the spiritual sons.
To teach the Dharma in whatever way is suitable without looking for offerings, respect, and so forth is the giving of Dharma. To protect beings from harm that comes from humans, non-humans, and the elements is the giving of fearlessness. To give whatever is needed with hoping for matured results in return is the giving of material things. From now I will earnestly practise these three types of giving. (O Spiritual Masters,) please bestow inspiring strength so that I may be able to do this.”
From The Essence of Nectar – Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by Kongpo Lama Yeshe Tsondru
As translated in: The Essence of Nectar by Yeshe Tsondru. Translated by Geshe Lobsang Tharchin with Benjamin and Deborah Alterman. Library of Tibetan Work and Archives.
Photo: Monks waiting to distribute the free lunch to the 30,000 attendees of the 2013 Jangchup Lamrim Teachings, Sera Monastery, Bylakuppe, India, January 2014, © Rio Helmi/JLTOC
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