Dear friends near and far,

As always, I hope this message finds you well, healthy and happy. On today’s Guru Rinpoche day, I would like to share with you two wise sayings written by the great scholar-practitioner, Sakya Pandita, on the importance of one’s behavior and character.

The wise and virtuous who have gathered merit
Will be victorious over all, even if they stand alone.
The lion, king of beasts, and the universal monarch
Have no need of allies for their rule.

This signifies that someone who is good-natured and broad-hearted, has a virtuous character and has gathered merit, does not need the support of others to succeed. Whether they are on their own or collaborating with others, they will be successful in all their endeavors. 

Whether someone has good qualities or not
Depends on their knowledge of what should be done or avoided, 
Just like a magnet is able to extract
Iron filings that have been mixed in with dust. 

Developing one’s good qualities is a matter of intelligence, which means knowing which actions should be pursued and which should be avoided. Actions that should be pursued are those that increase one’s good qualities, improving one’s character. Actions that should be abandoned are those that increase one’s bad qualities, degrading one’s character. Intelligence is therefore required to discern between the two, just like a magnet can pick up any metal that has been mixed in with other materials. 

Thus, as Sakya Pandita has shown, attention to one’s behavior and character is the foundation for all good things in life, success in all endeavors and personal improvement. Therefore, please remember to be mindful and vigilant in all of your actions.

With all my love and prayers,

Sarva Mangalam.

Phakchok Rinpoche

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