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Lama Tsong Khapa’s Great Treatise Lamrim Chenmo

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
(Redirected from THE MAHAYANA LINEAGE)
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STAGES OF THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT

Session 48 AN OVERVIEW OF THE LAMRIM



The Origin of Lam-rim LINEAGES OF BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS Buddha’s teachings:

Common vehicle (common to both Hinayana and Mahayana) Mahayana (uncommon) vehicle

Perfection (Sutra) vehicle

Lineage of view (profound wisdom)

Lineage of deeds (extensive method) Lineage from Maitreya

Lineage from Manjughosa

Mantra (Tantra) vehicle


THE MAHAYANA LINEAGE

Buddha passed the profound wisdom lineage to Manjushri, and the extensive method lineage to Maitreya (and some to Manjushri).

As a commentary to the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, Maitreya wrote “Ornament of Clear Realization (Knowledge)”

现观庄严论

Abhisamaya-ālamkāra], which focuses on the hidden aspects of the sutra, detailing the 5 paths and 10 grounds of the bodhisattva levels (method).


LIFE OF LAMA ATISHA

Lama Atisha (Dipamkara-srijnana: glorious illuminator of wisdom) was born 2nd prince in East Bengal, India, 10th century (982-1054 AD). His father the king, was very wealthy.

Lama Atisha was very intelligent, ordained at the age of 29, had over 150 teachers, studied and well versed in all the sutras and tantras.

He stayed at the well-known Odantapuri monastic centre (northern India) and Vikramashila Monastery, and was highly respected by many.

At the invitation of King Jangchub-wo, Lama Atisha went to Tibet to revive the practice of pure Buddhism, and he taught there for 17 years until he passed away at the age of about 73.

During his stay in Tibet, at the King’s request, Atisha wrote a text called “Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment” (Sanskrit: Bodhi-patha-pradipa; Tibetan: Byang-chub lam-gyi sgron-ma).

his is a very abbreviated (about 3 folios or 6 pages) commentary on Maitreya’s "Ornament of Clear Realization", that clearly establishes the path and practice for individuals of 3 scopes (or levels of capacity).

This became the root text of all others. From then on, the nameLamrim” came into use.


THE LAMRIM TEXTS

“Lam” means “path” or “road”

“Rim” means “organized step-by-step”

LamRim” means “graduated stages of the path to enlightenment

Atisha’sLamp for the Path to Enlightenment” (and hence Lamrim Chenmo) has 3 other qualities (special features).

Lama Tsong Kha-pa:


Born eastern Tibet in the Tsong-Kha region, about 1357AD, 14th century

Founder of Gelug tradition, and root guru of 1st Dalai Lama

Composed Lamrim Chenmo (Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment – the method from sutra point of view) at Reting (1402)

and Ngag-rim Chenmo (Great Treatise on the Stages of Mantra – the tantric path)

Gelugpa means "practitioner of the Ganden monastic system – the Virtuous Tradition"


The traditional 8 great Lamrim texts:

1) “Great Treatise (chen-mo) on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment” [500 folios] - Lama Tsongkhapa

2) “Medium Treatise (dring-mo) on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment” [about 250 folios] - Lama Tsongkhapa

3) “Concise Treatise (chung-mo) on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment” (aka “Lamrim Nyam-gur” or “Song of the Stages on the Spiritual Path”) [poem: 23 folios] - Lama Tsongkhapa

4) “Essence of Refined Gold” (word commentary of “Song of the Stages on the Spiritual Path”) - 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso

5) “Quick Path” (tantric) - 1st Panchen Lama Losang Chokyi Gyaltsen

6) “Sacred Instruction From Manjushri” (commentary of “Essence of Refined Gold”) - 5th Dalai Lama

7) “Blissful Path” (tantric) - 2nd Panchen Lama Losang Yeshe

8) “Essence of Eloquent Sayings” (or “Path of the Excellent Scriptures”) - Dakpo Ngawang Drakpa


SPECIAL FEATURES OF LAMRIM

Atisha’sLamp for the Path to Enlightenment” also has these 3 qualities (special features):


1) Its subject matter is comprehensive because it contains the key points of both the sutra and mantra vehicles;

2) It is easy to put into practice because it emphasizes the stages of disciplining the mind;

3) It is superior to other systems because it is adorned with the instructions of two gurus Vidyakokila (Avadhutipa) and Serlingpa who were skilled in the systems (profound wisdom and extensive method) of the 2 great trailblazers Nagarjuna and Asanga.


SPECIAL FEATURES OF LAMRIM 1)

The Lamrim is comprehensive and complete because its subject-matter contains all the key points of sutra and tantra:

Contains method & wisdom, essence of all 84,000 teachings of Buddha & commentaries.

Integrating all principal teachings of hinayana & mahayana (sutrayana and tantrayana).

Studying, contemplating, teaching and listening to Lamrim is equivalent to study, contemplation and learning the full meaning of the scriptures and commentaries.

2) It is easy to put into practice because it emphasizes the steps for taming the mind:


Road map for taming our mind to full enlightenment.

Graduated stages of practice – the 3 scopes (from 1st step of guru devotion to full enlightenment).

Complete & clear arrangement; easy to follow and practise by people of all levels of intelligence & development, in order to subdue our deluded minds.

3) It is superior to the other traditions/systems because it contains instructions from two gurus who were schooled in the traditions of the two forerunners (trail blazers):


Unbroken lineage & complete tradition of profound wisdom & extensive method (emphasizing on taming the mind):


Manjushri

Nagarjuna

Vidyakokila (Avadhutipa)

Atisha

Maitreya

Asanga

Suvarnadvipi (Serlingpa)

Atisha


LAMRIM CHENMO: THE GREAT DISCOURSE ON THE STAGES OF THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT

THE DISCOURSE ON THE LAMRIM

Traditionally, the explanation of the stages of the path to enlightenment has four main parts. Following these headings will help us develop strong conviction:

1) Showing the greatness of the teaching’s author in order to establish the authenticity (immaculate source) and authority of this teaching. [[[Chapter]] 1]

2) Showing the greatness of the teaching (Dharma) in order to generate respect, appreciation, faith and interest in the instructions. [[[Chapter]] 2]

3) How to listen to and explain the teachings. [Chap 3]

4) How to lead students with the actual instructions through the stages of the path.

[[[Chapter]] 4 onward]


THE DISCOURSE ON THE LAMRIM 4)

How to lead students with the actual instructions through the stages of the path:

A. How to rely on the teacher [Chapters 4 – 6]

B. How the students train their minds after having relied on the teacher [Chapters 7 and on]


B. HOW THE STUDENTS TRAIN THEIR MINDS AFTER HAVING RELIED ON THE TEACHER


The stages of how the students train their minds after they have relied on the teacher have 2 parts:

1. An exhortation to take full advantage of a life of leisure and opportunity (Chapter 7)

2. How to take full advantage (extract the essence) of a life of leisure and opportunity (Chapters 8 and on)



2. HOW TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF A LIFE OF LEISURE AND OPPORTUNITY

How to take full advantage of a life of leisure and opportunity is presented in two parts:

a. How to develop certain knowledge of a general presentation of the path (Chapter 8)

b. The actual way to take full advantage of a life of leisure and opportunity (Chapter 9 and on)

b. THE ACTUAL WAY TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF A LIFE OF LEISURE AND OPPORTUNITY

The actual way to take full advantage of a life of leisure and opportunity is presented in three sections:


1) Training the mind in the stages of the path shared with persons of small capacity (Chapters 9-16)

2) Training the mind in the stages of the path shared with persons of medium capacity (Chapters 17-24)

3) Training the mind in the stages of the path for persons of great capacity


b. THE ACTUAL WAY TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF A LIFE OF LEISURE AND OPPORTUNITY

To attain freedom from clinging to the appearances of this life, we need to meditate on the subjects related to the individual of small scope (shared). To attain freedom from clinging to samsara, we need to meditate on the subjects related to the individual of middle scope (shared). To attain freedom from clinging to self-interest, we need to meditate on the love and compassion of the individual of great scope.


INTRODUCTION TO THE PATH

The Path of the Small Scope (shared):


Our Optimum Human Rebirth

Remembering Death

The Suffering of the Lower Realms

Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels

Observing the Law of Cause and Effect

The Path of the Middle Scope (shared):

The General Sufferings of Samsara

The Sufferings of the Higher Rebirths

Understanding the Causes of Samsara

The Path to Self-Liberation

he Path of the Great Scope (uncommon):

The Importance of Bodhichitta

Taking the Bodhisattva Vows

Developing Bodhichitta through the Cause & Effect Instruction and Seven-Point Mind Training

The First Four Perfections

Developing Mental Quiescence

The Perfection of Wisdom



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