III. The Heart of the Matter, Which Is the Three Difficulties

  1. Train in the three difficulties.

The First Difficulty: Seeing Neurosis as Neurosis

  1. Liberate yourself by examining and analyzing.
  2. Don’t wallow in self-pity; don’t be jealous; don’t be frivolous.
  3. Don’t talk about injured limbs; don’t ponder others; don’t malign others.
  4. Don’t wait in ambush; don’t bring things to a painful point; don’t try to be the fastest.
  5. Don’t make gods into demons; abandon poisonous food; don’t act with a twist.
  6. Don’t be so predictable (don’t be so trustworthy).
  7. Don’t transfer the ox’s load to the cow.
  8. Don’t seek others’ pain as the limbs of your own happiness.

The Second Difficulty: Trying Something Different

  1. Drive all blames into one.
  2. Contemplate the great kindness of everyone (be grateful to everyone).
  3. Four practices are the best of methods.
  4. Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with meditation.
  5. Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one.
  6. Whichever of the two occurs, be patient.
  7. Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment.
  8. Don’t be swayed by external circumstances; don’t vacillate.
  9. Don’t misinterpret.
  10. Don’t expect applause.

The Third Difficulty: Making This a Way of Life

  1. When the world is filled with evil, transform all mishaps into the path of Bodhi.
  2. Seeing confusion as the four Kayas is unsurpassable shunyata protection.
  3. Practice the five strengths, the condensed heart instructions.
  4. All dharma agrees at one point.
  5. Always maintain only a joyful mind; if you can practice even when distracted, you are well trained.
  6. Always abide by the three basic principles.
  7. Change your attitude, but remain natural.
  8. Work with the greatest defilements first.
  9. All activities should be done with one intention.
  10. Correct all wrongs with one intention.
  11. Two activities, one at the beginning and one at the end.
  12. Take on the three principal causes; pay heed that the three never wane.
  13. Keep the three inseparable.
  14. Train without bias in all areas. It is crucial always to do this pervasively and wholeheartedly.