Great Yogi Shabkar’s checklist for advanced practice: his teacher’s letter asks all the right questions
The great yogi Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol, an incarnation of the Milarepa, sang many instructive songs — still sung today (orally) and read in translated form by Buddhists around the world. Each of his wonderful songs, like Milarepa’s before him, are concise and wonderful teachings. His autobiography contains many teaching songs.
HH the Dalai Lama.
“Regarded by many as the greatest yogi after Milarepa to gain enlightenment in one lifetime, he also lived the life of a wandering mendicant teaching by means of spiritual songs.” — His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama
A checklist of practice?
Among the most interesting of the songs in his autobiography, is a “checklist” of practice from one of his teachers, Tendzin Nyima Rinpoche. Although written as a cluster of questions, it’s a virtual checklist for a practitioner — reminding us of how much further we have to go in our own practices.
Because Shabkar was in perpetual lonely retreat, the “questions” came via a letter with one of Shabkar’s students. [1] In Shabkar’s autobiography he writes:
Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol, a great yogi who’s songs inspire practice.
“My kind root teacher Tendzin Nyima Rinpoche had come back from the Five-peaked Mountain and gone to Tserpa Mountain, at the far end of the Blue Lake. He sent me the following letter in verse, a letter worthy of placing above my head.
I take refuge in the excellent Three Jewels.
Bless all mountain-dwelling vagabonds!
Enjoying the excellent fruition of his past deeds,
Has my son, the young lion, been well?
Did your experience and realization grow?
Did you feel no more attachment to body and life
Than you would to a rotting carcass?
Were you harassed by fierce bandits?
Did weariness and renunciation grow in your mind?
Did your compassion and loving-kindness increase?
Did you meditate, first equating yourself with others, then exchanging yourself for them?
The autobiography of Shabkar. (See notes for details.)
Did you don the armor of patience?
Did phenomena dawn as your mind? Did you understand the play of illusion?
Are you sad at the condition of samsara?
Do you bear in mind the qualities of liberation?
Did you stop distinguishing between enemies and friends?
Does your Dharma keep up with circumstances?
Does your Dharma always win?
Did you understand the warnings of impermanence?
Did you cut the ties of clinging to permanence?
Did you merge space and awareness?
The great yogi Shabkar.
Did you conquer the kingdom beyond birth?
Did you have any trouble on the way?
Were there any dangers from wild beasts, narrow paths, and rivers?
Did your meditation progress? Are you well now?
NOTES
[1] Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol. The Life of Shabkar: Autobiography of a Tibetan Yogin (Kindle Locations 9266-9270). Shambhala. Kindle Edition.
Please support the "Spread the Dharma" mission as one of our heroic Dharma Supporting Members, or with a one-time donation.
Buddhist Features by Topic
Member Login
Latest Features
Dharma by Email
Signup for the latest Buddha Dharma features by email every Tuesday.
Thank you!
You have successfully joined our subscriber list.
Supporting Member Content
Please support the "Spread the Dharma" mission as one of our heroic Dharma Supporting Members, or with a one-time donation.
Latest Videos
Please support the "Spread the Dharma" mission as one of our heroic Dharma Supporting Members, or with a one-time donation.
Latest Podcasts
Please support the "Spread the Dharma" mission as one of our heroic Dharma Supporting Members, or with a one-time donation.
Please Help Support the “Spread the Dharma” Mission!
Be a part of the noble mission as a supporting member or a patron, or a volunteer contributor of content.
The power of Dharma to help sentient beings, in part, lies in ensuring access to Buddha’s precious Dharma — the mission of Buddha Weekly. We can’t do it without you!
A non-profit association since 2007, Buddha Weekly published many feature articles, videos, and, podcasts. Please consider supporting the mission to preserve and “Spread the Dharma." Your support as either a patron or a supporting member helps defray the high costs of producing quality Dharma content. Thank you! Learn more here, or become one of our super karma heroes on Patreon.
Other Popular Stories

Research: Meditation Benefits Students With Enhanced Intelligence, Reduce Stress, Improved Academic Performance

Purify karma, heal illness, increase lifespan and avert calamities with Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra and Mantra

Doctor Strange Movie Cast Coached by Gelong Thubten, a Tibetan Monk Known for Extensive Years-Long Retreat

What does Buddhism say about the idea of God? Best answer: ‘it’s complicated.” Are Buddhists theists, atheists or non-theists? Does it even matter?

Twelve syllables of Medicine Buddha’s name represent his twelve great vows: Bhaisajya-guru-vidurya-prabha-raja — recite his Holy name as a mantra

Why is pride a poison — and overcoming ego with the wisdom of Equality; practicing Ratnasambhava and the Ambhattha Sutra

Many paths, one destination: Why choose one tradition of Buddhism over another? How to choose the Buddhist path that supports you

Fearless Buddhist: overcoming fear and becoming Gesar, : How to overcome fear in uncertain times, according to Pali Sutta, Mahayana Sutra and Tantra
Lee Kane
Author | Buddha Weekly
Lee Kane is the editor of Buddha Weekly, since 2007. His main focuses as a writer are mindfulness techniques, meditation, Dharma and Sutra commentaries, Buddhist practices, international perspectives and traditions, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Zen. He also covers various events.
Lee also contributes as a writer to various other online magazines and blogs.
Leave a Comment Cancel Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.