The Three Principal Aspects of the Path

Dzong-ka-ba

HTML Presentation by Bill Magee, Ph.D. and Geshe Gelek Choedak

Fourteen Stanzas

I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII
VIII	IX	X	XI	XII	XIII	XIV

Stanza I

I prostrate to the venerable gurus. glossary I.1.

The meaning of the essence of all the Conqueror’s scriptures, glossary I.2.

The path which is praised by the Conqueror’s excellent children, glossary I.3.

And the gate for those fortunate ones desiring liberation. glossary I.4.

I will explain as well as I can. glossary I.5.

I will explain as well as I can,

The meaning of the essence of all the Conqueror’s scriptures,

The path which is praised by the Conqueror’s excellent children,

And the gate for those fortunate ones desiring liberation.

Stanza II

Those not attached to the pleasures of existence and glossary II.1.

Those who strive to make leisure and good fortune meaningful and glossary II.2.

Those who have faith in the path that pleases the Conqueror— glossary II.3.

Those fortunate ones listen with a clear mind. glossary II.4.

Those not attached to the pleasures of existence and

Those who strive to make leisure and good fortune meaningful and

Those who have faith in the path that pleases the Conqueror—

Those fortunate ones listen with a clear mind.

Stanza III

In the ocean of existence, without a pure thought definately to emerge, glossary III.1.

there is no way to stope seeking pleasurable effects and glossary III.2.

also, since the embodied by thirsting for existence glossary III.3.

are thoroughly bound, in the beginning seek [the thought] definately to emergenge glossary III.4.

Without a pure [thought] definitely to emerge [from cyclic existence],

There is no way to stop seeking pleasant effects in the ocean of existence;

Also, thirst for existence thoroughly binds the embodied.

Therefore, initially, seek [the thought] definitely to emerge [from cyclic existence].

Stanza IV

Leisure and opportunity are hard to find and life has no duration. glossary IV.1.

Through meditation, reverse this life's appearances. glossary IV.2.

The effects of actions are inevitable and the suffering of cyclic existence glossary IV.3.

if reflected upon again and again, reverse appearances of future lives. glossary IV.4.

Cultivating the thought,

Leisure and fortune are difficult to find and life has no duration.

Reverses emphasis on the appearances of this life.

When one contemplates karma’s inevitable effects and the sufferings of cyclic existence,

Emphasis on future lives is reversed.

Stanza V

.; Through meditating in this way, for the marvels of cyclic existence glossary V.1.

one will not generate admiration even for an instant, and glossary V.2.

an awareness seeking liberation all day and night glossary V.3.

when arises, at that time [the thought] definately to emerge is generated. glossary V.4.

After meditating in this way,

If you do not generate even for one moment

Admiration for the marvels of cyclic existence,

And if there is always the thought seeking liberation,

Then at that time one has generated [the intention]definitely to emerge [from cyclic existence].

Stanza VI

Also, if the thought to leave cyclic existence glossary VI.a.

is not conjoined with pure bodhicitta glossary VI.b.

Then it will not be the cause of the marvelous bliss of highest enlightenment glossary VI.c.

Hence, the intelligent generate the supreme bodhicitta. glossary VI.d.

Also, if the thought to leave cyclic existence

Is not conjoined with pure bodhicitta,

Then it will not be the cause of the marvelous bliss of highest enlightenment.

Hence, the intelligent generate the supreme bodhicitta.

Stanza VII

[Those] carried in the current of the four strong rivers, glossary VII.a.

Bound by tight bonds of karma, hard to release, glossary VII.b.

Who have entered into the iron net—apprehending [an inherently existent] self, glossary VII.c.

And are covered with much dark ignorance . . . glossary VII.d.

Those carried in the current of the four strong rivers,

Bound by tight bonds of karma, hard to release,

Who have entered into the iron net—apprehending [an inherently existent] self,

And are covered with much dark ignorance . . .

[continued next stanza]

Stanza VIII

. . . Are born into limitless cyclic existence,
and in their births glossary VIII.a.

are tortured uninterruptedly by the three sufferings. glossary VIII.b.

of our mothers in such a state glossary VIII.c.

Contemplating the condition [of our mothers in such a state],
generate the supreme bodhicitta. glossary VIII.d.

. . . Are born into limitless cyclic existence,

And in their births are tortured uninterruptedly by the three sufferings.

Contemplating the condition of our mothers in such a state,

Generate the supreme bodhicitta.

Stanza IX

If one does not have wisdom realizing the mode of subsistence, glossary IX.a.

Then, even though one has meditated on the [intention] definitely to leave [cyclic existence] and bodhicitta, glossary IX.b.

One is not able to cut the root of cyclic existence. glossary IX.c.

Therefore, strive for a method for realizing dependent arising. glossary IX.d.

If one does not have wisdom realizing the mode of subsistence,

Then, even though one has meditated on the [intention] definitely to leave [cyclic existence] and bodhicitta,

One is not able to cut the root of cyclic existence.

Therefore, strive for a method for realizing dependent arising.

Stanza X

Whoever [sees the cause and effect] of all phenomena of cyclic existence and nirvana glossary X.a.

sees cause and effect as completely inevitable and glossary X.b.

Thoroughly destroy the observed object— glossary X.c.

They enter the path that pleases the Buddha. glossary X.d.

Whoever sees the cause and effect of all phenomena

Of cyclic existence and nirvana as completely inevitable, and

Thoroughly destroy the observed object—

They enter the path that pleases the Buddha.

Stanza XI

[the two understandings of] appearances—the infallibility of dependent arising, and glossary XI.a.

the two understandings of [appearances and] emptiness—the non-assertion [of inherent existence], glossary XI.b.

as long as [these two] appear to be separate glossary XI.c.

there is still no realization
of the thought of Shakyamuni Buddha. glossary XI.d.

As long as the two, the understanding of appearances—the infallibility of dependent arising,

And of emptiness—the non-assertion [of inherent existence],

Appear to be separate, there is still no realization

Of the thought of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Stanza XII

When [the two understandings exist] simultaneously without alternation, glossary XII.a.

And from just seeing dependent-arising to be infallible, glossary XII.b.

Definite knowledge destroys the mode of apprehending [an inherently existent] object, glossary XII.c.

Then the analysis of the view is complete. glossary XII.d.

When [the two understandings exist] simultaneously without alternation,

And from just seeing dependent-arising to be infallible,

Definite knowledge destroys the mode of apprehending [an inherently existent] object,

Then the analysis of the view is complete.

Stanza XIII

Further, [knowledge of the nature of] appearances [existing only nominally] excludes the extreme of existence glossary XIII.a.

And [knowledge of the nature of] emptiness [as the absence of inherent existence] excludes the extreme of non-existence. glossary XIII.b.

If one knows the mode of the appearance of emptiness as causes and effects, glossary XIII.c.

One will not be captivated by extreme views. glossary XIII.d.

Further, [knowledge of the nature of] appearances [existing only nominally] excludes the extreme of existence,

And [knowledge of the nature of] emptiness [as the absence of inherent existence] excludes the extreme of non-existence.

If one knows the mode of the appearance of emptiness as causes and effects,

One will not be captivated by extreme views.

Stanza XIV

Like that, the three principal aspects of the path glossary XIV.a.

when you realize
the essentials
just as they are glossary XIV.b.

Resort to solitude and generate the power of effort, glossary XIV.c.

Then quickly accomplish your final aim, my son. glossary XIV.d.

Like that, when you realize just as they are

The essentials of the three principal aspects of the path,

Resort to solitude and generate the power of effort,

Then quickly accomplish your final aim, my son.

	I prostrate to the venerable gurus.	glossary I.1.
	The meaning of the essence of all the Conqueror’s scriptures,	glossary I.2.
	The path which is praised by the Conqueror’s excellent children,	glossary I.3.
	And the gate for those fortunate ones desiring liberation.	glossary I.4.
	I will explain as well as I can.	glossary I.5.

	Those not attached to the pleasures of existence and	glossary II.1.
	Those who strive to make leisure and good fortune meaningful and	glossary II.2.
	Those who have faith in the path that pleases the Conqueror—	glossary II.3.
	Those fortunate ones listen with a clear mind.	glossary II.4.

	In the ocean of existence, without a pure thought definately to emerge,	glossary III.1.
	there is no way to stope seeking pleasurable effects and	glossary III.2.
	also, since the embodied by thirsting for existence	glossary III.3.
	are thoroughly bound, in the beginning seek [the thought] definately to emergenge	glossary III.4.

	Leisure and opportunity are hard to find and life has no duration.	glossary IV.1.
	Through meditation, reverse this life's appearances.	glossary IV.2.
	The effects of actions are inevitable and the suffering of cyclic existence	glossary IV.3.
	if reflected upon again and again, reverse appearances of future lives.	glossary IV.4.

.;	Through meditating in this way, for the marvels of cyclic existence	glossary V.1.
	one will not generate admiration even for an instant, and	glossary V.2.
	an awareness seeking liberation all day and night	glossary V.3.
	when arises, at that time [the thought] definately to emerge is generated.	glossary V.4.

	Also, if the thought to leave cyclic existence	glossary VI.a.
	is not conjoined with pure bodhicitta	glossary VI.b.
	Then it will not be the cause of the marvelous bliss of highest enlightenment	glossary VI.c.
	Hence, the intelligent generate the supreme bodhicitta.	glossary VI.d.

	[Those] carried in the current of the four strong rivers,	glossary VII.a.
	Bound by tight bonds of karma, hard to release,	glossary VII.b.
	Who have entered into the iron net—apprehending [an inherently existent] self,	glossary VII.c.
	And are covered with much dark ignorance . . .	glossary VII.d.

	. . . Are born into limitless cyclic existence, and in their births	glossary VIII.a.
	are tortured uninterruptedly by the three sufferings.	glossary VIII.b.
	of our mothers in such a state	glossary VIII.c.
	Contemplating the condition [of our mothers in such a state], generate the supreme bodhicitta.	glossary VIII.d.

	If one does not have wisdom realizing the mode of subsistence,	glossary IX.a.
	Then, even though one has meditated on the [intention] definitely to leave [cyclic existence] and bodhicitta,	glossary IX.b.
	One is not able to cut the root of cyclic existence.	glossary IX.c.
	Therefore, strive for a method for realizing dependent arising.	glossary IX.d.

	Whoever [sees the cause and effect] of all phenomena of cyclic existence and nirvana	glossary X.a.
	sees cause and effect as completely inevitable and	glossary X.b.
	Thoroughly destroy the observed object—	glossary X.c.
	They enter the path that pleases the Buddha.	glossary X.d.

	[the two understandings of] appearances—the infallibility of dependent arising, and	glossary XI.a.
	the two understandings of [appearances and] emptiness—the non-assertion [of inherent existence],	glossary XI.b.
	as long as [these two] appear to be separate	glossary XI.c.
	there is still no realization of the thought of Shakyamuni Buddha.	glossary XI.d.

	When [the two understandings exist] simultaneously without alternation,	glossary XII.a.
	And from just seeing dependent-arising to be infallible,	glossary XII.b.
	Definite knowledge destroys the mode of apprehending [an inherently existent] object,	glossary XII.c.
	Then the analysis of the view is complete.	glossary XII.d.

	Further, [knowledge of the nature of] appearances [existing only nominally] excludes the extreme of existence	glossary XIII.a.
	And [knowledge of the nature of] emptiness [as the absence of inherent existence] excludes the extreme of non-existence.	glossary XIII.b.
	If one knows the mode of the appearance of emptiness as causes and effects,	glossary XIII.c.
	One will not be captivated by extreme views.	glossary XIII.d.

	Like that, the three principal aspects of the path	glossary XIV.a.
	when you realize the essentials just as they are	glossary XIV.b.
	Resort to solitude and generate the power of effort,	glossary XIV.c.
	Then quickly accomplish your final aim, my son.	glossary XIV.d.