Thirty-seven Practices of a Bodhisattva (Book)

Many times Thrangu Rinpoche has said that Buddhist practitioners often concentrate on meditation and that is, of course, good. But if they don't match their meditation with compassion, unselfish behavior and engaging in virtuous actions, their meditation will never go well. To encourage his students to engage in these positive behaviors he has recommended that they study the Bodhisattva Path.

Rinpoche has published a translation Shantideva's The Bodhisattva's Way of Life with an extensive commentary which details how we can actually develop these important day-to-day behaviors. The Bodhisattva's Way of Life, which covers compassion, bodhichitta, and each of the six paramitas is very long and detailed. So some of his students asked him if there was something a little shorter.

In this book the great practitioner, Tokme Zangpo condensed these teachings on the Bodhisattva's Way into 37 profound verses. Each verse is short and many monks have memorized these verses to remind them when they have strayed from the path of compassion and bodhichitta. This teaching covers relative and ultimate bodhichitta, meditation and practice, abandoning the disturbing emotions and the practice of the six paramitas.

The Seventeenth Karmapa has said, "The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva is considered both deep and broad, comprehensive and concise. It includes all the necessary points for understanding the practices of a bodhisattva."

For example verse 9 says:

All suffering begins with wanting happiness for yourself
Perfect Buddhas arise with the intention to help others
Therefore, to fully exchange your happiness
For the suffering of other is the practice of a bodhisattva