The Gyalwang Drukpa

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.