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The Three Principal Aspects of the Path

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
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(lam gtso rnam gsum)
 
by  Je Tsongkhapa  


  
Homage  to  all  the  Venerable  Masters!  


As  this  illuminates  the  essential meaning  known  by  all  the  Victorious Ones,  the  path   praised  by  all  sublime  bodhisattvas,  and  the  
entranceway  for  those  fortunate  ones   that  aspire  towards  liberation:  allow  me  to  explain  this  according  to  my  capacity!  


Those  who  are  unattached  to  samsara’s  pleasures  and  who  long  to  bring  meaning  to   this  precious human life,  are  fortunate  ones.,  so  
please  lend  your  attention  by   enthusiastically  embracing  the  path  that  delights  all  Victors!  
Without  authentic  renunciation,  there  exists  no  other  method  in  this  ocean  of   existence  as  well  as  the  state  of  quiescence  to  pursue  
the  fruit  of  true  happiness.   Since  the  embodied  are  bound  by  their  unquenchable  thirst  for  samsara,  those  who   remain  attached  to  
this  existence  must  first  seek  renunciation!    
Growing  accustomed  to  the  fact  that  this  difficult  to  acquire  precious human rebirth   is  short  lived,  the  pleasures  of  this  life  will  
be  forsaken.  By  repeatedly  considering   the  misery  of  samsara  and  the  undeniable  truth of cause and effect,  the  phenomena   of  future  
expectations  will  also  be  forsaken!  
  

Once  becoming  familiar  in  these  ways,  when  the  yearning  for  ordinary  happiness   ceases  to  arise  in  the  mind  even  momentarily,  and  the attitude  of  striving  towards   liberation  both  day  and  night  is  present,  it  is  then  that  authentic  renunciation  will   have  been  gained!  
If  this  renunciation  is  not  imbued  with  the  purest  of  intentions,  it  alone  will  not  be   cause  for  the  fully  endowed  bliss  of unsurpassed  awakening.  That  is  why  the   learned  will  always  cultivate  the  supreme  bodhicitta!  


Carried  along  by  the  torrential  current  of  the  four great rivers,  restricted  by  the   restraints  of  karma  so  difficult  to  reverse,  and caught  up  in  the  iron  net  of  self-­‐‑ grasping,  beings  are  shrouded  by  the  great  darkness  of  ignorance!  
All  motherly  beings  born  in  this  existence,  are  tormented  life  after  life  by  the   constant  onset  of  the  three types of suffering.


Thinking  of  their  plight  the  supreme   bodhicitta  will  surely  be  cultivated!  


If  the  prajna  that  realizes  the  fundamental  nature  is  not  present,  even  if  one  is   familiar  with  renunciation  and  bodhicitta,  the potential  to  sever  the  very  root  of  this   existence  will  be  lacking.  Hence  the  methods  for  realizing  dependent origination   must  be engendered.    

Whoever  sees  that  the  law of cause and effect  concerning  all  phenomena  of  samsara   and  beyond  is  truly  undeceiving,  and  that  all points  of  reference  are  undependable,   is  one  who  will  have  entered  the  path  that  pleases  all  the  Buddhas!  


As  long  as  the  understanding  of  infallible  dependent arising  and  emptiness  free   from  assertions  are  differentiated,  the  wisdom  intent of the  Sage  [[[Shakyamuni]]]  will   yet  to  be  understood.  When  the  truth  of  dependent arising  is  appreciated  concurrent   with  impartial [[[emptiness]]]  and  fixation  upon  true existence  collapses,  then  the   process  of  analyzing  the  view  will  have  been  complete.  
    

 
Furthermore,  once  it  is  known  that  through  appearances  eternalism  is  dispelled  and   thru  emptiness  nihilism  is  clarified,  then  the nature of emptiness  and  the  mode  of   [[[appearances]]]  arising  as  cause and effect  will  have  been  acknowledged  and  extreme   views  will  never  rob the  mind  again.  
  
In  order  to  precisely  realize  the  key  point  of  these  three  crucial  aspects  of  the  path,  O   sons  and  daughters  it  is  time  to  rely upon  isolation  and  cultivate  fortitude  while   swiftly  pursuing  this  ultimate  goal!  
Thus  the  learned  monk  Lozang  Dragpa  gave  this  advice  to  the  King  of  Tsakho,   Ngawang Dragpa  from  Gyalrong.    
  

Translated  by  Light of Berotsana  


Light of Berotsana  is  pleased  to  offer  our  translation  of  this  well-­‐‑known  teaching  by   the  great master  Je Tsongkhapa,  an  emanation of Manjushri.  Respected  by  all   lineages  of  Tibetan Buddhism  this  poetic  presentation  illuminates  the  teaching  on   non-­‐‑dual  emptiness and  appearances  as  well  as  highlighting  the  three  principles   that  lead  to  liberation  namely,  renunciation,  altruism  and  the  realization of emptiness.    



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