| Philosophy and Religion / The twenty-eight categories of yogic precepts. |
Gampopa (Dvagpo-Lharje)
XXI. The Ten Grievous Mistakes
(1) For a religious devotee to follow a hypocritical charlatan instead of a guru who sincerely practiseth the Doctrine is a grievous mistake.
(2) For a religious devotee to apply himself to vain worldly sciences rather than to seeking the chosen secret teachings of the Great Sages is a grievous mistake.
(3) For a religious devotee to make far-reaching plans as though he were going to establish a permanent residence [in this world] instead of living as though each day were the last he had to live is a grievous mistake.
(4) For a religious devotee to preach the Doctrine to the multitude [ere having realized it to be true] instead of meditating upon it [and testing its truth] in solitude is a grievous mistake.
(5) For a religious devotee to be like a miser and hoard up riches instead of dedicating them to the religion and charity is a grievous mistake.
(6) For a religious devotee to give way in body, speech, and mind to the shamelessness of debauchery instead of observing carefully the vows [of purity and chastity] is a grievous mistake.
(7) For a religious devotee to spend his life between worldly hopes and fears instead of gaining understanding of Reality is a grievous mistake.
(8) For a religious devotee to try to reform others instead of reforming himself is a grievous mistake.
(9) For a religious devotee to strive after worldly powers instead of cultivating his own innate spiritual powers is a grievous mistake.
(10) For a religious devotee to be idle and indifferent instead of persevering when all circumstances favourable for spiritual advancement are present is a grievous mistake.
These are The Ten Grievous Mistakes.
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