The "Stages of the Teachings," or tenrim, genre of Tibetan spiritual writing expounds the Mahayana Buddhist teachings as a systematic progression, from the practices required at the start of the bodhisattva's career to the final perfect awakening of buddhahood. The texts in the present volume each exerted seminal influence in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The first text, The Blue Compendium, presents the instructions of the Kadam teacher Potowa (1027/31-1105) as recorded by his student Dölpa (1059-1131). This verse work is followed by Gampopa's (1079-1153) revered Ornament of Precious Liberation, which, with its extensive quotations from the Indian scriptures, remains the most authoritative text on the path to enlightenment within the Kagyü school. The final selection is Clarifying the Sage's Intent, a masterwork by the preeminent sage of the Sakya tradition, Sakya Pandita (1182-1251). (Source: Wisdom Publications)
Another version of Holmes's translation of Gampopa's Ornament of Precious Liberation is found in Ornament of Precious Liberation (Holmes).
Foreword by His Holiness the Karmapa vii
Editor’s Preface ix
Translator’s Introduction 1
Ornament of Precious Liberation: A Wish-Fulfilling Gem of Sublime Dharma
Gampopa Sonam Rinchen (1079–1153)
Author’s Preface 11
I. The Prime Cause
1. Buddha Nature 15
II. The Basis
2. A Precious Human Existence 25
III. The Condition
3. Relying on the Dharma Master 37
IV. The Means: The Dharma Master’s Instruction
4. The Impermanence of Conditioned Existence 47
5. The Suffering of Samsara 59
6. Karma and Its Effects 77
7. Loving Kindness and Compassion 89
8. Taking Refuge 99
9. The Proper Adoption of Bodhicitta 111
10. Precepts for Generating Aspiring Bodhicitta 145
11. Presentation of the Six Perfections 151
12. The Perfection of Generosity 155
13. The Perfection of Moral Discipline 169
14. The Perfection of Forbearance 181
15. The Perfection of Diligence 191
16. The Perfection of Meditative Concentration 199
17. The Perfection of Wisdom 215
18. The Presentation of the [Five] Paths 247
19. The Presentation of the Levels 253
V. The Result
20. The Bodies of Perfect Buddhahood 275
VI. Enlightened Activities of the Buddhas
21. Enlightened Activities of the Buddhas 291
Notes 297
Glossary 319
Bibliography 331
Index 341
About the Contributors 357
The "Stages of the Teachings," or tenrim, genre of Tibetan spiritual writing expounds the Mahayana Buddhist teachings as a systematic progression, from the practices required at the start of the bodhisattva's career to the final perfect awakening of buddhahood. The texts in the present volume each exerted seminal influence in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The first text, The Blue Compendium, presents the instructions of the Kadam teacher Potowa (1027/31-1105) as recorded by his student Dölpa (1059-1131). This verse work is followed by Gampopa's (1079-1153) revered Ornament of Precious Liberation, which, with its extensive quotations from the Indian scriptures, remains the most authoritative text on the path to enlightenment within the Kagyü school. The final selection is Clarifying the Sage's Intent, a masterwork by the preeminent sage of the Sakya tradition, Sakya Pandita (1182-1251).