A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, The 37 Practices of A Bodhisattva and Nagarjuna's The Fundamental Wisdom; 15-August-2006 (Day 2 of 5; Morning) - Dalai Lama Audio Teachings on Tibetan Buddhism Podcast

The principal point of Ngulchu Gyalsey Thogme Sangpo’s 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva is to outline what needs to be put into action. It is not a text concerning mere intellectual understanding. The salutation is to the lama inseparable from Avalokiteshvara, who on the one hand embodies wisdom, seeing that all phenomena neither come nor go. On the other hand he embodies deep compassion for sentient beings seeking to overcome suffering. This compassion is not simply spontaneous, but the result of steady practice over 3 countless aeons. Buddhahood is achieved on the basis of causes and conditions. What are they? All sentient beings possess buddha nature or the primordial mind, but they need to follow a path to eliminate the defilements that obscure it. Path implies something that brings about change. It is because there is change that we can purify our minds. Just as with the opposing forces of hot and cold, if one increases, the other diminishes, so as virtue increases, unwholesome action declines. Life as a free and fortunate human being is precious because of the human capacity to analyse and act upon the conclusion