- 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 Pleasure 93
- 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
- A. Non-Meritorious Karma and its Result112
- 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
- I. The Practice of Loving-Kindness 125
- 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 Family 138
B. Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels 138
1. Classification 139
2. Working Basis 139
3. Objects 139
4. Time 141
5. Motivation 141
6. Ceremony 141
7. Activities 143
8. Training 143
9. Beneficial Effects 143
C. Pratimoksa Precepts 144
Chapter 9: Cultivation of Bodhicitta 147
II. Essence 147
III. Classification 147
IV. Objectives 151
V. Cause 151
VI. From Whom You Receive It 152
VII. Method (Ceremony) 153
VIII. Beneficial Effects 168
IX. Disadvantages of Losing It 171
X. The Cause of Losing It 171
XI. The Method of Repairing 172
Chapter 10: Training in Aspiration Bodhicitta 173
XII. Training 173
A. Training in Aspiration Bodhicitta 173
1. Not Forsaking Sentient Beings from One's Heart 173
2. Recollecting the Beneficial Effects of Bodhicitta 174
3. Gathering the Two Accumulations 175
4. Practicing the Enlightened Mind 175
5. Rejection of the Four Unwholesome
Deeds and Acceptance of the Four Wholesome Deeds 176
Chapter 11: Training in Action Bodhicitta 179
B. Training in Action Bodhicitta 179
1. Definite Number 180
2. Definite Order 180
3. Characteristics 181
4. Definition 181
5. Division 181
6. Grouping 182
Chapter 12: The Perfection of Generosity 183
I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 183
II. Definition 185
III. Classification 185
IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 185
V. Increase 191
VI. Perfection 191
VII. Result 192
Chapter 13: The Perfection of Moral Ethics 195
I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 195
II. Definition 197
III. Classification 197
IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 197
V. Increase 202
VI. Perfection 202
VII. Result 202
Chapter 14: The Perfection of Patience 205
I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 205
II. Definition 207
III. Classification 207
IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 207
V. Increase 211
VI. Perfection 211
VII. Result 211
Chapter 15: The Perfection of Perseverance 213
I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 213
II. Definition 214
III. Classification 216
IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 216
V. Increase 218
VI. Perfection 218
VII. Result 218
Chapter 16: The Perfection of Meditative Concentration 219
I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 219
II. Definition 220
III. Classification 229
IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 229
V Increase 230
VI. Perfection 230
VII. Result 231
Chapter 17: The Perfection of Wisdom Awareness 233
I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 233
II. Definition 235
III. Classification 235
IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 235
V. What is to be Known 236
VI. What is to be Practiced 247
VII. Result 255
Chapter 18: The Aspects of the Five Paths 257
I. Path of Accumulation 257
II. Path of Application 258
III. Path of Insight 259
IV. Path of Meditation 259
V. Path of Perfection 260
Chapter 19: The Ten Bodhisattva Bhumis 263
I. Definition 264
II. Significance of the Buhims 264
III. The Reason Their Classification Is Tenfold 264
A. First Bhumi 265
B. Second Bhumi 267
C. Third Bhumi 268
D. Fourth Bhumi 269
E. Fifth Bhumi 270
F. Sixth Bhumi 271
G. Seventh Bhumi 272
H. Eighth Bhumi 273
I. Ninth Bhumi 274
J. Tenth Bhumi 275
K. Buddhahood 277
Part 5: The Result 279
Chapter 20: Perfect Buddhahood 281
I. Nature 281
II. Significance of the Name 286
III. Classification 287
IV. Definition 287
V. Reason There Are Definitely Three Kayas 288
VI. Characteristics of the Three Kayas 288
VII. Special Traits 292
Part 6: The Activities 295
Chapter 21: Activities of the Buddha 297
I. Activities of the Body 297
II. Activities of Speech 298
III. Activities of Mind 299
Appendices 303
Appendix A: Dharma Lord Gampopa 305
Section 1: A Brief Account of Dharma Lord Gampopa's Life 305
Section 2: Miraculous Manifestations 323
Section 3: Gampopa's Method of Teaching 325
Appendix B: Stories Referred to in the Text 333
Sudhana 335
Sadaprarudita 340
KingAnala 348
Maudgalyayana 351
Sangharakshita 357
Nawa Chewari 362
Old Born 366
King Krika's Daughters 368
Mahadatta 371
King Bala Maitreya 379
Angulimala 381
Udayana 385
Nanda 388
Ajatashatru 393
Appendix C: Outline of the Text 397
Appendix D: A Brief Biography of the Translator 413
Titles of Works Quoted 417
Glossary 427
Notes 437
Bibliography 459
Index 467