Work as Practice

Liturgy compiled by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche at Sea to Sky Retreat Centre in 2005.

WORK AS PRACTICE
APPLYING THE THREE SUPREME METHODS

To apply the Supreme Methods, begin by refining your intention, thinking that you will perform the work for the sake of all sentient beings as you say the following:

Today I vow to work for the benefit of all beings.
May I be a guard for those who are protectorless,
A guide for those who journey on the road.
For those who wish to go across the water,
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.

Before beginning a day of volunteer work students should recite the following prayer:

Even the remembrance of your name dispels the hope and fear of nirvana and samsara. To walk the path to enlightenment, I take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Following all the bodhisattvas of past, present and future, may I emulate their infinite activity to free beings from suffering. Eventually may there be continual joy in the activity of helping others. In that aim, I shall begin by offering my energy and time today to…  {Quietly say to yourself the activities that you intend to offer today. For example, “cleaning the teaching hall”}

To apply the second wholesome attitude, avoid the pride that shadows your good intention and say:

Whatever I do today is ultimately just a concept. Relatively, there is a necessary structure just as there is in dreams. In my night-time dreams, my eyes are shut; still, I see. Whatever I see is an illusion. There is nothing to see and no-one seeing. But in the relative world of the dream, the construct of “the way to see” is still needed. So I shall do my job as properly as possible.

The third wholesome attitude is applied by dedicating the merit with the following:

And now as long as space endures,
As long as there are beings to be found,
May I continue likewise to remain
To drive away the sorrows of the world.

“If we apply the Three Supreme Methods to everything we do — even something as ordinary as photocopying a stack of papers for a dharma centre — not only does one accumulate merit, the undertaking actually becomes a paramita.”

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