28 March 2026

The Key Points of Study and Practice

Phakchok Rinpoche shares two pithy quotes that summarize the key points of study and practice. The first one is from Taranatha about having faith, and developing renunciation and devotion. These are key points to keep in mind as practitioners. The second quote is from Tsongkhapa, about the importance to devote ourselves to practice. Rinpoche then highlights the importance of doing retreat to the extend of our ability.

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 pithy quotes that summarize the key points of study and practice.

The great, sixteenth-century Jonang master Taranatha said:

Those with faith have no opportunity for misdeeds.
Those with renunciation do not fall into attachment or laziness.
Those with devotion neither meet nor part with the Three Jewels.
Those with compassion never give in to selfishness.
Develop certainty in the inevitability of consequences for good and bad deeds!

Thus, when you have faith, you naturally refrain from negative actions. When you develop renunciation, you gradually let go of all attachment and laziness. When you have devotion, you know you have always been inseparable from the Three Jewels. Devotion is automatically present when you have developed the three kinds of faith: inspired faith, longing faith, and trusting faith. When you have compassion, you are rid of selfishness. And finally, once you know with complete certainty that everyone must bear the consequences of their actions, you will have stable mindfulness. These are key points that all practitioners should keep in mind.

In addition, Lord Tsongkhapa, the fourteenth to fifteenth-century founder of the Geluk school said:

Few are those who are learned and apply themselves to practice.
Few are those who endeavor to practice and are well learned.
Fewer even are those who are learned and skilled in the key points of practice.
Therefore, so very few go beyond cyclic existence.

Very few people who have received many teachings also devote themselves to practice. Very few people who spend much time doing practice sessions and in retreat devote themselves to properly receiving teachings. Rarest of all are those who receive teachings and understand the key points of the practice. This is precisely why so few attain liberation! Therefore, we all need to receive teachings and apply them into practice. The result of combined study and practice should be a clear understanding of the key points, as laid out by Taranatha above.

On this auspicious day, I would therefore like to highlight the importance of devoting yourself to practice in retreat to the extent of your ability. In particular, I would like to remind all of my students who are practicing the Dispeller of All Obstacles (Tukdrub Barché Künsel) cycle—whether the preliminary practices, the Concise Manual, or the Essential Activity (Trinlé Nyingpo)—that our retreat center in Bali, where stands a statue of the Wish-Fulfilling Guru (Sampa Lhündrup) hosts retreats dedicated to these practices every year, including a thirty-five day Trinlé Nyingpo retreat. Spaces in these retreats are limited, so please avail yourself of these precious opportunities.

With all my love and prayers,

Sarva Mangalam.