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FOUNDATION OF ALL GOOD
QUALITIES by Je Tsongkhapa (This prayer by
Lama Tsongkhapa outlines the basic Lam Rim teachings, the
graduated path to enlightenment.) * The kind and venerable spiritual master is the foundation of
all good qualities. Seeing that dependence on him or her is
the root of the path, may I rely on him or her with great respect
and continuous effort -- inspire me thus! *
A human life with leisure is obtained this
once. Understanding that it has great value and is hard to
find, may I produce unceasingly the mind that takes hold of its
essence day and night -- inspire me thus! *
The fluctuation of our body and life is like a
bubble of water; remember death, for we perish so quickly.
After death, the effects of black and white karma pursue us as a
shadow follows a body. Finding certainty in this, may I always
be careful to abandon even the slightest negative action and to
complete the accumulation of virtue -- inspire me thus!
* There is no satisfaction in
enjoying worldly pleasures. They are the door to all
misery. Having realized that the fault of samsaric perfections
is that they cannot be trusted, may I be strongly intent on the
bliss of liberation -- inspire me thus! *
That pure thought to attain liberation produces
great conscientiousness, mindfulness and awareness, may I make the
essential practice, keeping the vows of individual liberation, the
root of the doctrine -- inspire me thus! *
Having seen that all beings, my kind mothers,
have fallen like myself into the ocean of cyclic existence, may I
train in the supreme heart dedicated to enlightenment, assuming the
obligation to free all migrating beings -- inspire me
thus! * Generating the
altruistic intention alone, without cultivation of the three moral
practices, does not lead to enlightenment. Having realized
this, may I practice with intense effort the vows of the conquerors
and their spiritual children -- inspire me thus!
* By quieting distraction to false
objects, and analyzing the meaning of reality, may I quickly
generate within my mindstream the path uniting calm abiding and
special insight -- inspire me thus! *
When, trained in the common path, I am a
suitable vessel, let me enter with ease the great gateway of the
fortunate ones, the Vajrayana, the highest of all vehicles --
inspire me thus! * The
basis of achieving the two powerful attainments is the pure vows and
commitments that I have pledged. Having found true
understanding of this, may I keep them even at the cost of my life
-- inspire me thus! * Having realized the significance of the two stages, which
are the essence of the tantric path, may I steadfastly practice
without laziness the four sessions of yoga, and realize what the
holy beings have taught -- inspire me thus! *
May the spiritual teachers who lead me on the
sacred path and all spiritual friends who practice it have long
life. May I quickly and completely pacify all outer and inner
hindrances -- grant such inspiration, I pray!
* In all my rebirths may I never be
separated from perfect spiritual masters, and enjoy the magnificent
Dharma. Completing all qualities of the stages and paths, may
I quickly achieve the stage of Vajradhara.
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