The Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Könchog Gyaltsen)

Translation of Ornament of Precious Liberation: A Wish-Fulfilling Gem of Sublime Dharma

Book

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is a masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism. For more than eight centuries, this text has provided a complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice–covering the initial entry into the path and continuing through to the achievement of Buddhahood. It includes teachings on Buddha-nature, finding a spiritual master, impermanence, karma, the cultivation of bodhicitta, the development of the six perfections, the ten Bodhisattva bhumis, Buddhahood, and the activities of a buddha.

(Source: back cover)

Citation	Gyaltsen, Khenpo Könchog, trans. The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings. By Gampopa (sgam po pa). Edited by Ani K. Chodron. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications, 1998.

The Story of Angulimala

Book Excerpt

Foreword by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama13
Acknowledgments14
Translator's Introduction15

Homage44
Introduction45
Part 1: The Primary Cause 47
Chapter 1: Buddha-Nature 49
- I. Disconnected Family 50
- II. Indefinite Family 51
- III. Hearer Family 51
- IV. Solitary Realizer Family 51
- V. Mahayana Family53
  - A. Classification53
  - B. Definition53
  - C. Synonyms53
  - D. Superiority54
  - E. Causal Characteristics54
  - F. Marks54

Part 2: The Working Basis 57
Chapter 2: The Precious Human Life 59
- I. Leisure 59
- II. Endowment 60
- III. Trusting Faith 65
- IV. Longing Faith 65
- V. Clear Faith 65

Part 3: The Contributory Cause 67
Chapter 3: The Spiritual Master 69
- I. Reason 69
- II. Classification 71
- III. Characteristics of Each Classification 72
- IV. Method 73
- V. Benefits 75

Part 4: The Method 77
Introduction to Part 4 79
Antidote to Attachment to this Life 81
Chapter 4: Impermanence 83
- I. Classification 83
- II. Method of Meditation 84
- III. Beneficial Effects of Meditation 91
Antidote to Attachment to Samsara's Pleasure93
Chapter 5: The Suffering of Samsara 95
- I. All-Pervasive Suffering 95
- II. The Suffering of Change 96
- III. The Suffering of Suffering 97
  - A. Hell Realm 97
  - B. Hungry Ghost Realm 102
  - C. Animal Realm 102
  - D. Human Realms 103
  - E. Demi-God Realm 108
  - F. God Realm 108
Chapter 6: Karma and its Result 111
- I. Classification 112
- II. Primary Characteristics of Each Classification 112
  - A. Non-Meritorious Karma and its Result112
    - 1. Taking Life112
    - 2. Stealing113
    - 3. Sexual Misconduct113
    - 4. Lying114
    - 5. Divisive Speech114
    - 6. Harsh Words114
    - 7. Idle Talk115
    - 8. Covetousness115
    - 9. Harmful Thought116
    - 10. Wrong Views116
  - B. Meritorious Karma and Result117
  - C. Karma and Result of Unshakable Meditative Concentration118
- III. Ascription 119
- IV. Strict Result 120
- V. Increase from the Small 120
- VI. Inevitability 121
Antidote to Attachment to the Pleasure of Peace 123
Chapter 7: Loving-Kindness and Compassion 125
- I. The Practice of Loving-Kindness 125
  - A. Classification126
  - B. Object126
  - C. Identifying Characteristic126
  - D. Method of Practice126
  - E. Measure of the Practice129
  - F. Qualities of the Practice129
- II. The Practice of Compassion 129
  - A. Classification130
  - B. Object130
  - C. Identifying Characteristic130
  - D. Method of Practice130
  - E. Measure of the Practice131
  - F. Qualities of the Practice131
Antidote to Not Knowing the Method of Practice for Achieving Buddhahood 133
Introduction to the Antidote to Not Knowing the Method of Practice 135
Chapter 8: Refuge and Precepts 137
- I. Foundation 137
  - A. Mahayana Family138
  - B. Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels138
    - 1. Classification139
    - 2. Working Basis139
    - 3. Objects139
    - 4. Time141
    - 5. Motivation141
    - 6. Ceremony141
    - 7. Activities143
    - 8. Training143
    - 9. Beneficial Effects143
  - C. Pratimoksa Precepts 144
Chapter 9: Cultivation of Bodhicitta 147
- II. Essence 147
- III. Classification 147
- IV. Objectives 151
- V. Cause151
- VI. From Whom You Receive It152
- VII. Method (Ceremony)153
- VIII. Beneficial Effects168
- IX. Disadvantages of Losing It171
- X. The Cause of Losing It171
- XI. The Method of Repairing172
Chapter 10: Training in Aspiration Bodhicitta 173
- XII. Training173
  - A. Training in Aspiration Bodhicitta173
    - 1. Not Forsaking Sentient Beings from One's Heart173
    - 2. Recollecting the Beneficial Effects of Bodhicitta174
    - 3. Gathering the Two Accumulations175
    - 4. Practicing the Enlightened Mind175
    - 5. Rejection of the Four Unwholesome
      - Deeds and Acceptance of the Four Wholesome Deeds176
Chapter 11: Training in Action Bodhicitta 179
- - B. Training in Action Bodhicitta179
    - 1. Definite Number180
    - 2. Definite Order180
    - 3. Characteristics181
    - 4. Definition181
    - 5. Division181
    - 6. Grouping182
Chapter 12: The Perfection of Generosity 183
- I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues183
- II. Definition185
- III. Classification185
- IV. Characteristics of Each Classification185
- V. Increase 191
- VI. Perfection191
- VII. Result192
Chapter 13: The Perfection of Moral Ethics 195
- I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues195
- II. Definition197
- III. Classification197
- IV. Characteristics of Each Classification197
- V. Increase202
- VI. Perfection202
- VII. Result202
Chapter 14: The Perfection of Patience 205
- I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues205
- II. Definition207
- III. Classification207
- IV. Characteristics of Each Classification207
- V. Increase211
- VI. Perfection211
- VII. Result211
Chapter 15: The Perfection of Perseverance 213
- I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues213
- II. Definition214
- III. Classification216
- IV. Characteristics of Each Classification216
- V. Increase218
- VI. Perfection218
- VII. Result218
Chapter 16: The Perfection of Meditative Concentration 219
- I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues219
- II. Definition220
- III. Classification229
- IV. Characteristics of Each Classification229
- V. Increase230
- VI. Perfection230
- VII. Result231
Chapter 17: The Perfection of Wisdom Awareness 233
- I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues233
- II. Definition235
- III. Classification235
- IV. Characteristics of Each Classification235
- V. What is to be Known236
- VI. What is to be Practiced247
- VII. Result255
Chapter 18: The Aspects of the Five Paths 257
- I. Path of Accumulation257
- II. Path of Application258
- III. Path of Insight259
- IV. Path of Meditation259
- V. Path of Perfection260
Chapter 19: The Ten Bodhisattva Bhumis 263
- I. Definition264
- II. Significance of the Bhumis264
- III. The Reason Their Classification Is Tenfold264
  - A. First Bhumi265
  - B. Second Bhumi267
  - C. Third Bhumi268
  - D. Fourth Bhumi269
  - E. Fifth Bhumi270
  - F. Sixth Bhumi271
  - G. Seventh Bhumi272
  - H. Eighth Bhumi273
  - I. Ninth Bhumi274
  - J. Tenth Bhumi275
  - K. Buddhahood277

Part 5: The Result 279
Chapter 20: Perfect Buddhahood 281
- I. Nature281
- II. Significance of the Name286
- III. Classification287
- IV. Definition287
- V. Reason There Are Definitely Three Kayas288
- VI. Characteristics of the Three Kayas288
- VII. Special Traits292

Part 6: The Activities 295
Chapter 21: Activities of the Buddha 297
- I. Activities of the Body297
- II. Activities of Speech298
- III. Activities of Mind299

Appendices 303
Appendix A: Dharma Lord Gampopa 305
- Section 1: A Brief Account of Dharma Lord Gampopa's Life305
- Section 2: Miraculous Manifestations323
- Section 3: Gampopa's Method of Teaching325
Appendix B: Stories Referred to in the Text 333
- Sudhana335
- Sadaprarudita340
- King Anala348
- Maudgalyayana351
- Sangharakshita357
- Nawa Chewari362
- Old Born366
- King Krika's Daughters368
- Mahadatta371
- King Bala Maitreya379
- Angulimala381
- Udayana385
- Nanda388
- Ajatashatru393
Appendix C: Outline of the Text 397
Appendix D: A Brief Biography of the Translator 413
Titles of Works Quoted 417
Glossary427
Notes437
Bibliography459
Index467

Sgam po pa. dam chos yid bzhin nor bu thar pa rin po che'i rgyan. Kathmandu: gam-po-pa library, 2005.

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