Sixteen Pure Human Laws

The Sixteen Pure Human Laws were first innovated in Tibet a century before the arrival of Padmasambhava, during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo (609-649 ce.) who ruled in the seventh century, uniting clans of the Yarlung River Valley and initiating many reforms. For the first time, Tibet was a large and powerful empire. Among his five wives were the Nepalese princess Bhrikuti Devi and Princess Wencheng, the niece of the powerful Chinese emperor Emperor Taizong of Tang China. Both of these women were devout Buddhists.
 

Develop faith in the Three Precious Jewels without sorrow or weariness;

Search ultimately for the true doctrine;

Skilfully study the excellent sciences;

First recollect and then appraise anything that is to be undertaken;

Do not hanker after unassigned work;

Look to a higher level and emulate the ancients and those of superior conduct;

Repay kindness to one's parents of the past, present and future;

Be broad-minded and hospitable in one's dealings with elder and younger siblings and paternal relatives;

Ensure that the young respect their elders by degrees;

Show loving kindness to one's neighbors;

Arduously assist one's acquaintances who are spiritual benefactors;

Perfectly fulfill the needs of those nearby who are connected through the worldly round;

Help others through one's skill in science and the arts;

Provide a refuge with kindness to those who depend on it;

Resist bad advice and establish advice which will increase the happiness of the country;

and finally,

Entrusting one's deeds to the doctrine, one should bring one's spouse to obtain the ground of enlightenment in future lives.