A global initiative to help sanghas worldwide study, discuss, and live this timeless text together.
"If you follow this text by the letter, you will overcome your suffering."
— Garchen Rinpoche
The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, written by Gyalse Tokme Zangpo in the 14th century, is one of the most beloved and practical texts in Tibetan Buddhism. Garchen Rinpoche has called it the heart of his teaching and recommends it to all his students.
This initiative brings together two projects: peer-led sangha study groups using a structured discussion toolkit, and the fundraising campaign to publish the first English translation of Ukrainian practitioner Olga Kornyushyna's unique, science-informed commentary on the text.
The mission is simple. Not study as an intellectual exercise — but study as refuge. As a direct response to what is actually happening in your life right now.
The most widely used format across Buddhist communities. Ten weekly sessions of 90 minutes each, covering 3 to 4 verses per session. This pace allows real discussion and reflection while completing the full text in one quarter.
| Week | Verses | Theme and Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | V1–V4 | Precious Life, Impermanence, and Renunciation. What makes human life precious? Why leave familiar territory? The role of solitude and mortality-awareness in spiritual practice. |
| 2 | V5–V7 | Companions, Teachers, and Refuge. Harmful vs. beneficial relationships. What does "relying on a teacher" mean in modern life? Taking refuge as foundation. Practice: Reflect on your actual spiritual community. |
| 3 | V8–V10 | Three Scopes of Motivation. From avoiding harm through seeking liberation to generating bodhichitta. The pivotal shift from self-oriented to other-oriented practice. Practice: Daily bodhichitta aspiration. |
| 4 | V11–V13 | Tonglen and First Adversities. Exchanging self for others. When someone steals from you, when someone harms you. Introduction to tonglen meditation. Practice: Daily tonglen, starting with small irritations. |
| 5 | V14–V17 | Transforming Harm into the Path. Slander, public criticism, betrayal by those you've helped, being treated with contempt. The radical practice of seeing enemies as teachers. Discussion: Real-life examples and honest struggles. |
| 6 | V18–V21 | Suffering, Success, and the Eight Worldly Concerns. When suffering comes; when wealth, fame, and desire come. The danger in both. Staying on the path regardless of circumstance. Practice: Notice which worldly concern hooks you most this week. |
| 7 | V22–V24 | Absolute Bodhichitta. Appearances as mind, mind as emptiness. Not clinging to pleasant or aversive experiences. The deepest view. Practice: Resting meditation with awareness of the nature of experience. |
| 8 | V25–V28 | Paramitas I: Generosity, Discipline, Patience, Diligence. The first four perfections as daily conduct. Giving without expectation, discipline without worldly motivation, patience as treasure, joyful effort. Practice: Choose one paramita to emphasize this week. |
| 9 | V29–V32 | Paramitas II and Self-Examination. Concentration, wisdom (method + emptiness unified), examining one's own faults, not criticizing other practitioners. Discussion: The relationship between meditation and ethical conduct. |
| 10 | V33–V37 | Integration, Mindfulness, and Dedication. Abandoning attachment, harsh speech, and afflictive emotions through mindfulness. Constant awareness in benefiting others. Dedication of merit. Full text recitation as closing ceremony. Practice: Daily recitation of the complete 37 practices going forward. |
Olga Kornyushyna will offer weekly live Q&A sessions open to all sangha study groups. These sessions serve two purposes: supporting your group's practice, and building community around the book.
Sessions rotate across U.S. time zones so every community has access at a reasonable hour. Questions are submitted in advance and read by an MC — a format modeled on GBI's own teaching sessions.
To join or register your group, email us at the address below.
All sessions are recorded and shared with registered groups. Olga joins from Europe — afternoon her time.
Olga Kornyushyna is a Ukrainian scientist, practitioner, and student of Garchen Rinpoche. She began writing her commentary on the 37 Practices before the Russian invasion — and completed it during the war's opening months.
The book has accompanied readers in bomb shelters, in occupied territories, and in exile. It was recommended alongside Viktor Frankl as one of the most useful mental health resources during the conflict.
Garchen Rinpoche has personally expressed his wish for this book to reach English readers. Before Olga left Arizona after their most recent teaching retreat, he presented her with a vajra and bell and told her: he wants her to teach.
Translation begins May 2026. Completion: end of summer.
Funds are being collected through the Garchen Buddhist Institute, a U.S. nonprofit, to avoid crowdfunding fees and ensure tax compliance. Every dollar goes directly toward translation and publication.
To donate or pledge support, contact us at brianjnuckols@gmail.com. We will connect you with the GBI donation portal once it is established. Any amount is a direct act of merit.
Copy, adapt, and send to your sangha, meditation group, or practice friends. No preparation required from participants — just a willingness to gather and read together.