Foreword ix
Editor's Preface xi
Acknowledgments xvii
Introduction 1

POINT ONE

The Preliminaries, Which Are a Basis for Dharma Practice 5
1. First, train in the preliminaries. 5

POINT TWO

The Main Practice, Which Is Training in Bodhichitta 7
[Ultimate and Relative Bodhichitta] 7
[Ultimate Bodhichitta Slogans] 17
2. Regard all dharmas as dreams. 17
3. Examine the nature of unborn awareness. 18
4. Self-liberate even the antidote. 19
5. Rest in the nature of alaya, the essence. 21
6. In postmeditation, be a child of illusion. 24
[Relative Bodhichitta Slogans] 26
7. Sending and taking should be practiced alternately. These two should ride the breath. 26
8. Three objects, three poisons, and three seeds of virtue. 35
9. In all activities, train with slogans. 37
10. Begin the sequence of sending and taking with yourself. 38

POINT THREE

Transformation of Bad Circumstances into the Path of Enlightenment 39
[Point Three and the Paramita of Patience] 39
11. When the world is filled with evil, transform all mishaps into the path of bodhi. 40
12. Drive all blames into one. 42
13. Be grateful to everyone. 48
14. Seeing confusion as the four kayas, is unsurpassable shunyata protection. 52
15. Four practices are the best of methods. 55
16. Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with meditation. 67

POINT FOUR

Showing the Utilization of Practice in One's Whole Life 70
[Point Four and the Paramita of Exertion] 70
17. Practice the five strengths, the condensed heart instructions. 71
18. The mahayana instruction for ejection of consciousness at death, is the five strengths: how you conduct yourself is important. 75

POINT FIVE

Evaluation of Mind Training 79
[Point Five and the Paramita of Meditation] 79
19. All dharma agrees at one point. 80
20. Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one. 81
21. Always maintain only a joyful mind. 84
22. If you can practice even when distracted, you are well trained. 86

POINT SIX

Disciplines of Mind Training 89
[Point Six and Prajnaparamita] 89
23. Always abide by the three basic principles. 90
24. Change your attitude, but remain natural. 91
25. Don't talk about injured limbs. 92
26. Don't ponder others. 93
27. Work with the greatest defilements first. 93
28. Abandon any hope of fruition. 94
29. Abandon poisonous food. 95
30. Don't be so predictable. 95
31. Don't malign others. 96
32. Don't wait in ambush. 97
33. Don't bring things to a painful point. 97
34. Don't transfer the ox's load to the cow. 98
35. Don't try to be the fastest. 98
36. Don't act with a twist. 99
37. Don't make gods into demons. 100
38. Don't seek others' pain as the limbs of your own happiness.

POINT SEVEN

Guidelines of Mind Training 101
[Point Seven and Postmeditation] 101
39. All activities should be done with one intention.101
40. Correct all wrongs with one intention. 102.
41. Two activities: one at the beginning, one at the end. 102
42. Whichever of the two occurs, be patient. 103
43. Observe these two, even at the risk of your life. 104
44. Train in the three difficulties. 104
45. Take on the three principal causes. 105
46. Pay heed that the three never wane. 106
47. Keep the three inseparable. 106
48. Train without bias in all areas. It is crucial always to do this pervasively and wholeheartedly. 107
49. Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment. 107
50. Don't be swayed by external circumstances. 107
51. This time, practice the main points. 107
52. Don't misinterpret. 108
53. Don't vacillate. 108
54. Train wholeheartedly. 108
55. Liberate yourself by examining and analyzing. 109
56. Don't wallow in self-pity. 109
57. Don't be jealous. 109
58. Don't be frivolous. 109
59. Don't expect applause. 109

CONCLUDING VERSES 111

Appendix: The Forty-six Ways in Which a Bodhisattva Fails 113
Notes 117
Glossary 119
Transliterations of Tibetan Names and Terms 124
Bibliography 126
About the Slogan Cards 127
About the Author 128
Resources 132
Index 135