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. (Source: Shambhala Publications)
Citation
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche. Path to Buddhahood: Teachings on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation. Edited by Maggy Jones, Briona Nic Dhiarmada, and Corinne Segers. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 2003. Originally published in French as Et si vous m'expliquiez le bouddhisme? Paris: Nil Editions, 2001.
The Cause: Buddha Nature
Book Excerpt
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 37
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
