Verse 1

The Dalai Lama’s translation:

The possession of this human base, this precious vessel so difficult to obtain, in order to liberate others and ourselves from the ocean of samsara, allows us to hear, reflect, and meditate day and night without distractions. This is the practice of the bodhisattva.

Ken McLeod’s translation:

Right now, you have a good boat, fully equipped and available—hard to find. To free others and you from the sea of samsara, Day and night, fully alert and present, Study, reflect, and meditate – this is the practice of a bodhisattva.

The first verse of the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva is a reminder of how precious our human life is, how rare the opportunity is to live as human beings… To have the opportunity to practice and how important practice is, and Ken McLeod says we should “appreciate the opportunity.” Bring gratitude to the thought of being alive—right now—in this time and place…

This human life holds the potential for enlightenment. Mine and yours and everyone’s—every human being. It’s a good boat and it has everything we need to free ourselves and others from suffering… to make the journey from delusion to enlightenment.

The classic teaching called the “precious human life,” asks that we take time to think about what makes it possible for us to practice. Realize that first, we live in a society that affords us leisure time… we don’t have to spend all of our time just trying to survive. Second, we have the freedom to decide how we spend our time. There’s no one—not a person standing over us with a whip, or a state that regulates our leisure time—telling us how to live. Third, we have access to teachers and teachings. Today we can hear teachers from all over the world and receive their teachings, through the internet and apps… and here in Colorado Springs and in most towns and cities in the country.