Drukpa Künlegs quotations

Drukpa Künlegs quotations as revealed by Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche and presented by Ngak’chang Rinpoche in ‘Wisdom Eccentrics’ a series of inspiring accounts collected by Ngak’chang Rinpoche from his time in Tso Pema (Rewalsar Mandi, India).

‘Drukpa Künlegs at one time condensed his realisation in this way:

“If you fail to see nonduality – what use is there in following religious regulations?

If you lack a Tsawa’I Lama – what use is there in intelligence and scholarship?

If you can’t love all beings as your children – what use is there in liturgy and ritual?

If you’re ignorant of the central point of the Three Vows, what’s gained by not breaking them?

If you fail to realise the Buddha within – what can be found of reality without?

If you can’t practise the natural stream of meditation – what’s to be gained by dominating thought?

If you can’t order your life according to seasons and times of day – what are you but a ‘thom yor?

If you have no intuitive sense of nonduality – what’s to be gained by methodical study?

If you waste your life living on borrowed time and resources – who’ll repay your debts later?

With scanty clothing that causes discomfort – what’s the profit of freezing your arse off as an ascetic?

Practising but lacking specific instructions accomplishes nothing – like an ant climbing a dune.

Gathering instructions but ignoring the nature of Mind, you starve next door to a burgeoning larder.

Acting the Lama whilst refusing to teach – you become as useless as the jewel in a snake’s brain.

Ignoramuses blathering persistently just proclaim their stupidity to anyone unwise enough to listen.

If you understand the essence, practice it — or accept that you understand nothing.”