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Path to Buddhahood: Teachings on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation

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Path to Buddhahood: Teachings on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation

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Overview

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is regarded by all Tibetan Buddhist schools as one of the most inspiring and comprehensive works of the tradition. Written by Gampopa (born 1079 CE), the main spiritual son of the great hermit Milarepa, this important text lays out the stages of the Buddhist path and explains how an enlightened attitude is strengthened by practicing the six perfections of generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, meditation, and knowledge.

For the first time, this sometimes difficult text is made accessible to Western readers in a clear and engaging commentary. Tibetan teacher Ringu Tulku explores this classic work of Buddhist practice and philosophy with the playful and fresh style that has made him so popular among students of Buddhism. Using folksy examples and anecdotes, he brings this text to life, discussing topics such as:

   • seeing through the illusions that cause us to suffer
   • advice on acting with kindness, generosity, and patience
   • instructions on how to put others first
   • guidance for attaining peace and lasting compassion

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590300121
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	11/11/2003
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.94(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

Ringu Tulku Rinpoche was born in Kham Lingtsang, in eastern Tibet, and was recognized by His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa as the incarnation of one of the tulkus of Ringu monastery, a Kagyüpa monastery in his home province. He studied with some of the most distinguished khenpos of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions and received teachings from many outstanding masters, including Thrangu Rinpoche, Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and the Gyalwang Karmapa. He is also the author of Path to Buddhahood and The Ri-me Philosophy of Jamgon Kongtrul.

	Foreword	xi
	Preface	xv
	Acknowledgments	xix
	Homage to Manjushri	xxi
	Introduction	1
1.	The Cause: Buddha Nature	7
2.	The Basis: A Precious Human Life	15
3.	The Condition: The Spiritual Friend	23
	Why We Need a Spiritual Friend	24
	The Different Categories of Spiritual Friends	25
	The Qualities of Ordinary Spiritual Friends	26
	The Master-Disciple Relationship	27
	Receiving the Teachings in the Right Way	29
4.	The Method: The Instructions of the Spiritual Friend	31
	First Antidote: Contemplating Impermanence	32
	Second Antidote	37
	Contemplating the Misery of Samsara	37
	Understanding Karma	44
	Third Antidote: Love and Compassion	50
	The Development of Loving-Kindness	51
	The Development of Compassion	60
	Fourth Antidote: Bodhichitta	64
	The Bodhichitta of Aspiration	67
	Refuge	67
	Taking Refuge in the Buddha	68
	Taking Refuge in the Dharma	70
	Taking Refuge in the Sangha	70
	The Three Kayas	72
	The Refuge Ceremony	74
	The Bodhichitta of Commitment	76
	The Bodhisattva Vows	76
	Instructions for Developing the Bodhichitta of Commitment: The Six Paramitas	80
	First Paramita: Generosity	82
	Second Paramita: Ethics or Right Conduct	87
	Third Paramita: Forbearance	88
	Fourth Paramita: Diligence	93
	Fifth Paramita: Meditation	99
	Sixth Paramita: Wisdom	108
	The Five Levels of the Bodhisattva Path	138
	Accumulation	139
	Integration	140
	Insight	141
	Meditation	142
	Complete Accomplishment	142
	The Ten Bodhisattva Levels	143
5.	The Result: Perfect Buddhahood	149
6.	The Activities of a Buddha	163
	Conclusion	169
	Dedication of Merit	171
	Notes	173
	Index	179

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Editorial Reviews

"Compelling. His lengthy and penetrating discussion of the six paramitas (generosity, ethics, forbearance, diligence, meditation and wisdom) is especially engaging."—Publishers Weekly

"Based on The Jewel Ornament of Liberation , Gampopa's classic text, Path to Buddhahood presents a remarkably clear overview of the Buddhist path. With engaging directness, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche guides the reader to an essential understanding of the major philosophical and contemplative practices that constitute the heart of the Buddhist path. A wonderful contribution to the literature of dharma in the West!"—Dzogchen Ponlop, author of Wild Awakening

From the Publisher

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, written by a physician-turned-monk named Gampopa in the 11th century, is one of the most important texts in Tibetan Buddhism. In the early 1990s, Ringu Tulku, a professor of Tibetan studies and director of numerous meditation centers, gave a series of introductory talks on Gampopa's work, which were transcribed into this book. Tulku outlines the six factors Gampopa says are necessary to escape samsara (suffering) and realize nirvana: the cause (buddha nature is inherent in everyone), the basis (human life is especially conducive to attaining enlightenment), the condition (finding a "spiritual friend" or teacher to guide one to nirvana), the method (the spiritual friend's instructions), the result (the state of buddhahood) and the activity (the compassionate and wise actions of a buddha). He then devotes a chapter to each of these topics. Tulku relies heavily on Gampopa's Jewel, yet rarely quotes the original text; the result, especially in the early chapters, is a confused blend of Tulku's own teaching and his irritating fondness for categorizing and subcategorizing Gampopa's ideas. Readers already familiar with Gampopa's teachings may find this inspiring; novices will find it reads more like a scholarly abstract. In later sections, however, Tulku's own voice becomes prominent, which proves to be much more compelling. His lengthy and penetrating discussion of the six paramitas (generosity, ethics, forbearance, diligence, meditation and wisdom) is especially engaging, and leaves one wishing Tulku had allowed his own voice to permeate the entire work. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Path to Buddhahood: Teachings on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation

Path to Buddhahood: Teachings on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation

Paperback

Paperback

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Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

Customer Reviews

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Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

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Customer Reviews