The Gyalwang Drukpa

Recently, I was reminded of a Code of Conduct that I wrote at Drubpon Ngawang's request in 2000 and I am very happy that I am able to share with you over here. I think it is very good idea if every centre and the members and friends read through it very clearly. First of all, you have to bear in mind that this Code of Conduct is not a standard for you to use to judge others, this is for your own practice and for checking yourself. You need to constantly check if you have violated any of them. Secondly, whether you are a sponsor, a practitioner or a volunteer, whether you have contributed a lot of time or a lot of money, keeping harmony within a Sangha community, or even within your own family or company, or even among your friends, is very important.

We have all come to engage ourselves in spiritual practice because we want to be better and happier persons, more likable persons and more lovable persons. Some of my friends and students tell me very honestly that "I am who I am, people have to accept me for who I am." I can fully understand this kind of attitude. I cannot say this is correct or wrong, everyone has the freedom to choose the way they want to live their life, and the way they treat others. But the key is you need to check yourself, whether you have become a better person after becoming a spiritual practitioner. Say for example, after following a master, have you put his advices into practice? Even if you don't get along with some of the Sangha members, have you been able to put aside your criticisms which are mostly provoked and misled by your own ego? Have you tried to appreciate whatever they have contributed, no matter whether it is very small or large contribution? Have you been a kinder person?

After reading the Code of Conduct again, I feel very proud of myself for being able to write something like this more than 8 years ago. But I was also laughing to myself, "How many of my friends and students have seriously, successfully and diligently followed this Code of Conduct? How many of them have followed it happily and willingly? Instead, how many have been using this as a way or as an excuse to judge others?"

One of the most simple teachings of the Buddha is "kind speech". Words can really kill a person and can burn your merit. If you hear negative comments about others, you should not believe blindly, at least you should tell yourself that every person has a positive and negative aspect, just like yourself. Just as you would not like others to misjudge you, you should not misjudge others. Karma has eyes, it follows you everywhere, there is no way to avoid it. Those who bring pain and unhappiness to others will never be happy themselves. Spiritual teachers like us go around telling you guys what should be improved and what should be thrown out, but it's your choice to decide whether you want to listen or not, whether you want to follow or not. As I recently said, not only external environment needs to be cleaned up, your inner environment which is your mind and your secret environment which is the samaya definitely need to be cleaned up very urgently and very nicely. I am very happy to say that almost all of my friends and students wish to be better and happier humans, so I am looking forward to see big steps of improvement. I am very certain that everyone will try their best to improve and everything will get better! I appreciate all of you who follow my gossips and practise them without any doubt and complaints (I hope not, ha ha!).

Before I forget, I want to share with you that I am presently designing T-Shirts for all the Centres and Live to Love. The ones for winter will be something interesting, and the ones for summer will be something also quite nice. In fact, I was quite surprised to see different Live to Love T-Shirts and different Centre T-Shirts. This will be informed to all the different centres very soon.

So the Code of Conduct that I have written is here as follows, I have strong confidence that all of my friends and students will follow this very nicely, this should be highlighted and reminded everytime we have time, especially before any group gathering:

01Giving up harming others and harmful thoughts, which lead to harmful actions, is the practice of the Shravakas and Pratyekas. This is the foundation of all vehicles or yanas.

02Always learning to help others and keeping the practice of precious Bodhicitta as the main practice is the general path of the Mahayana. This is essential to make any practice of the Dharma successful and dispel the delusions on the path. It is vital that all the men and women, young and old, who claim to be practising the Dharma, inspired by mindfulness, practise these two and not be distracted by meaningless, selfish samsaric activities. It is important to practise the meaningful ultimate path with pure motivation and action.

03One should show friendliness, love and respect, based on logical understanding, towards the teacher who shows the path of making one's life meaningful, and the lay and ecclesiastic community, who supports Dharma practice. The Glorious Master who introduces one to the nature of one's mind through the common and uncommon paths of liberation in the Vajrayana tradition, though in human form in order to liberate us, is in truth the Dharmakaya. Because of the guidance he gives us in following the right path, he is more gracious than all other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Based on this logic, it is vital to understand that persevering to please him in the 'three ways' - spiritual practice, physical service and material offerings - with unfailing devotion is the essence of Vajrayana practice.

04The male and female practitioners who live at the Centre permanently should regularly engage in daily morning and evening practices, chanting and in positive activities like Nyungnay on the day of the full moon, new moon and the 8th day of every month.

05In particular, Ganachakra offerings should be made in the morning of the 10th day with any Guru Yoga practice, and in the evening of the 25th day with a Dakini practice.

06One should devote oneself to any mind training practice in general, and the four preliminary practices in particular, until one attains Enlightenment. Believing that completing the practice of the Four Foundations a few times is enough could be deceptive and misleading.

07Dharma practitioners should love each other from the heart and build a relationship of mutual help. Bad habits such as holding negative thoughts and indulging in crass verbal or physical action such as exposing others' faults behind their backs or speaking negatively in public should be abandoned.

08The root of all faults is spreading rumours. Thus, it is important to control one's speech with mindfulness in public.

09Being too close to one another can ignite the fire of attachment and hatred. Hence, it is important to maintain an appropriate distance right from the beginning.

10Whether one engages in samsaric activity or spiritual activity, one must first scrutinise one's motivation. Even if the motivation is not too bad, one must check whether that action is beneficial to others. One should always be aware that engaging in any activity without investigation is a sign of low intelligence and silliness.

11Pride based on the little knowledge one has should not waste one's nature. Instead one should render whatever service one can to the Guru, who shows the right path, and to one's Dharma friends. After rendering a little service to the Dharma, Guru, friends and teachers, etc., one should not brag about what one has done but should rejoice in humility.

12Those who lack inherent intelligence or acquired educational qualifications should not lose heart but engage in meditation or other activities that benefit spiritual practice without violating the instructions given by one's Root Guru. If such activities do not please others, then it is simply pitiable.

13Seeing the high qualifications of other Dharma friends, one should rejoice without envy. Even if one is not inclined to praise such a friend openly, it is important to keep quiet and not criticise.

14Under all circumstances, one should always investigate one's own weaknesses and seek ways to self-improve. The very thought of criticizing others is the fire that burns one's self-nature. So abandon it.

15Criticism of others and praise of one's own side, motivated by sectarian attachment and hatred, is an embarrassment to the objective realised beings. It is also a contravention of Dharma practice. So completely give up such speech.

16If someone else indulges in such speech, it is better to make no comment, return to your residence and sleep peacefully if you cannot do spiritual practice.

17Always check yourself and engage in activities according to the Dharma. It is important to remember not to be influenced by the thoughts of worldly or demonic dharma and indulge in deceit, lies, cunning and deception, etc.

18Except for those whose inner realisation of the concept of loving-kindness, compassion and Bodhicitta has been praised by a qualified master, giving teachings at will on the ground of simply understanding the literal meaning is not only harmful to oneself but will also mislead others. Thus, such an act will be more harmful than beneficial. So there is no need to be in a hurry to acquire the status and title of Khenpo or Lama.

19In brief, any practice of the Dharma should be aimed at benefiting one's mind. Practising Dharma to gain fame and respect is a non-Dharma action that will lead to rebirth in the lower realms. So understanding the pros and cons and practising the path in the correct manner is the intelligent way out.

20Men and women serving the Centre should render service with pure motivation, devotion and samaya as one's witness, and with heartfelt joy.

21In case of mental agony and physical hardship, they should take leave in the proper manner and return home or relax.

22To create unhappiness and misunderstandings among Dharma friends, laymen and ecclesiastics, young and old, through rumour mongering and loose talk, simply because one's wishes have not been fulfilled, will accumulate negative karma. As such, refrain from doing so with diligence.

23Meat, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, etc. are not only against the Dharma, but are also like a sword that cuts one's body into pieces. So those who love themselves should refrain from consuming them.

24Even if one is not able to completely give them up, make the effort to at least refrain from consuming them in front of the images of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, in the hall of spiritual practice, meditation room, etc.

25In brief, those wearing the monk's robe should practise the Vinaya rules after thorough listening and contemplation, strive to refrain from non-Dharmic action without pride and with respect, and not try to gain status and recognition.

26The lay practitioners should abandon the ten negative actions and strive to restrain the 'three doors' (body, speech and mind) at all times in order to make this short life meaningful.

That's all for now. I will be sharing some news about the Eye Medical Treatment in a day or two days time.