Difference between revisions of "The Lamrim: Stages of the Path"
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| − | This article introduces the spiritual path as organized in a sequence of spiritual development. It is rooted in Tibetan Buddhism and is known as the Lamrim (Tibetan). Here is an overview . . . | + | This article introduces the [[spiritual path]] as organized in a sequence of [[spiritual development]]. It is rooted in [[Tibetan Buddhism]] and is known as the [[Lamrim]] ([[Tibetan]]). Here is an overview . . . |
| − | It has been suggested that although there are countless living beings – humans and non-humans – all may be included within three broad types: those who seek mainly worldly happiness, those who seek mainly the attainment of liberation from samsara (cyclic existence), and those who seek mainly the attainment of full enlightenment. | + | It has been suggested that although there are countless [[living beings]] – [[humans]] and [[non-humans]] – all may be included within three broad types: those who seek mainly [[worldly]] [[happiness]], those who seek mainly the [[attainment]] of [[liberation from samsara]] ([[cyclic existence]]), and those who seek mainly the [[attainment]] of [[full enlightenment]]. |
| − | In a scripture known as the Stages of the Path (Tibetan: Lamrim), we find that the actual practice of the stages of the path fulfils the desires of all three kinds of being. | + | In a [[scripture]] known as the [[Stages of the Path]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[Lamrim]]), we find that the actual practice of the [[stages of the path]] fulfils the [[desires]] of all three kinds of being. |
| − | The practice of Lamrim is important because everyone needs to cultivate peaceful states of mind to peacefully co-exist with one another. By listening to or reading these teachings, we can learn how to control our mind and to keep a good motivation in the heart. This will lead to making our daily actions more and more pure and meaningful. | + | The practice of [[Lamrim]] is important because everyone needs to cultivate [[peaceful]] [[states of mind]] to peacefully co-exist with one another. By listening to or reading these teachings, we can learn how to control our [[mind]] and to keep a good [[motivation]] in the [[heart]]. This will lead to making our daily [[actions]] more and more [[pure]] and meaningful. |
| − | By controlling our mind, we can more readily solve our daily problems, and by gradually improving our daily practice of Lamrim, we may advance from our present stage to the stage of a Bodhisattva (someone whose spiritual practice is directed toward the achievement of enlightenment for the welfare of all beings). By progressing further we can become a fully enlightened being. This is the essential purpose and meaning of our human life. Such a great attainment can be the result of our practice of Lamrim. (The above has been based on and adapted from Gyatso, Geshe Kelsang. Joyful Path of Good Fortune: The Complete Buddhist Path to Enlightenment. Ulverston, England: Tharpa Publications, 1995; pages ix-xi.) | + | By controlling our [[mind]], we can more readily solve our daily problems, and by gradually improving our daily practice of [[Lamrim]], we may advance from our {{Wiki|present}} stage to the stage of a [[Bodhisattva]] (someone whose [[spiritual practice]] is directed toward the [[achievement]] of [[enlightenment]] for the {{Wiki|welfare}} of all [[beings]]). By progressing further we can become a [[fully enlightened being]]. This is the [[essential]] {{Wiki|purpose}} and meaning of our [[Wikipedia:Human life|human life]]. Such a great [[attainment]] can be the result of our practice of [[Lamrim]]. (The above has been based on and adapted from Gyatso, [[Geshe Kelsang]]. [[Joyful Path of Good Fortune]]: The Complete [[Buddhist Path]] to [[Enlightenment]]. [[Ulverston]], [[England]]: [[Tharpa Publications]], 1995; pages ix-xi.) |
| − | In summary, the Lamrim (one of the great classics of Tibetan literature) literally means | + | In summary, the [[Lamrim]] (one of the great classics of [[Tibetan literature]]) literally means “[[stages of the path]]”. It offers a comprehensive overview of the entire [[path to enlightenment]] based on the main [[body]] of the [[Buddha’s teachings]] |
| − | The Lamrim arranges the Buddha’s teachings in a manner that is easy to understand and to put into practice. The teachings are presented along a continuum, characterized by three spiritual attitudes: People who may overall have modest motivation, medium motivation, or high motivation. | + | The [[Lamrim]] arranges the [[Buddha’s teachings]] in a manner that is easy to understand and to put into practice. The teachings are presented along a {{Wiki|continuum}}, characterized by three [[spiritual]] attitudes: [[People]] who may overall have modest [[motivation]], {{Wiki|medium}} [[motivation]], or high [[motivation]]. |
| − | On this website, the stages of the path are presented as follows: | + | On this website, the [[stages of the path]] are presented as follows: |
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The [[Lamrim]]: author and authenticity; how to receive its instruction | The [[Lamrim]]: author and authenticity; how to receive its instruction | ||
| − | The Spiritual Guide: how to rely on a spiritual guide | + | The [[Spiritual Guide]]: how to rely on a [[spiritual guide]] |
| − | Precious Human Life: how to take the essence of this precious human rebirth | + | [[Precious Human Life]]: how to take the [[essence]] of this [[precious human rebirth]] |
| − | Modest Scope Motivation (striving for a rebirth in the upper realms: human, demigod, or god) | + | Modest Scope [[Motivation]] (striving for a [[rebirth]] in the upper [[realms]]: [[human]], [[demigod]], or [[god]]) |
| − | Death: reality that this life will end and that one will die | + | [[Death]]: [[reality]] that this [[life]] will end and that one will [[die]] |
| − | Suffering: in a rebirth in the lower realms (hell being, hungry ghost, animal) | + | [[Suffering]]: in a [[rebirth]] in the [[lower realms]] ([[hell being]], [[hungry ghost]], [[animal]]) |
| − | Going for Refuge: in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) | + | [[Going for Refuge]]: in the [[Three Jewels]] ([[Buddha]], [[Dharma]], and [[Sangha]]) |
| − | Karma: the law of cause and effect | + | [[Karma]]: the [[law of cause and effect]] |
| − | Medium Scope Motivation (striving for liberation from cyclic existence) | + | {{Wiki|Medium}} Scope [[Motivation]] (striving for [[liberation from cyclic existence]]) |
| − | Truth of Suffering: in all of cyclic existence | + | [[Truth of Suffering]]: in all of [[cyclic existence]] |
| − | Origin of Suffering: afflictive emotions (especially attraction and aversion) | + | [[Origin of Suffering]]: [[afflictive emotions]] (especially [[attraction]] and [[aversion]]) |
| − | Cessation of Suffering: free of suffering and its origins | + | [[Cessation of Suffering]]: free of [[suffering]] and its origins |
| − | Path to Freedom from Suffering: ethics, concentration, and wisdom | + | [[Path]] to Freedom from [[Suffering]]: [[ethics]], [[concentration]], and [[wisdom]] |
| − | 12 Links of Dependent Arising | + | [[12 Links]] of [[Dependent Arising]] |
| − | High Scope Motivation (striving for complete Buddhahood) | + | High Scope [[Motivation]] (striving for complete [[Buddhahood]]) |
| − | Bodhichitta: mind that seeks enlightenment to benefit others | + | [[Bodhichitta]]: [[mind]] that seeks [[enlightenment]] to [[benefit]] others |
| − | Mind of Enlightenment: how to develop | + | [[Mind of Enlightenment]]: how to develop |
Perceiving Others: seven-point instruction in how to view others | Perceiving Others: seven-point instruction in how to view others | ||
| − | Cherishing Others: self-cherishing versus cherishing others | + | Cherishing Others: [[self-cherishing]] versus cherishing others |
| − | Six Perfections: training in the six perfections | + | [[Six Perfections]]: {{Wiki|training}} in the [[six perfections]] |
| − | I find that this organizing and arranging of the main body of the Buddha’s teachings is insightful and meaningful. It presents a path for spiritual seekers to consider in their own practice. | + | I find that this organizing and arranging of the main [[body]] of the [[Buddha’s teachings]] is [[insightful]] and meaningful. It presents a [[path]] for [[spiritual]] seekers to consider in their [[own]] practice. |
| − | With metta, | + | With [[metta]], |
| − | Alexander Peck | + | [[Alexander]] Peck |
Latest revision as of 01:42, 9 February 2020
This article introduces the spiritual path as organized in a sequence of spiritual development. It is rooted in Tibetan Buddhism and is known as the Lamrim (Tibetan). Here is an overview . . .
It has been suggested that although there are countless living beings – humans and non-humans – all may be included within three broad types: those who seek mainly worldly happiness, those who seek mainly the attainment of liberation from samsara (cyclic existence), and those who seek mainly the attainment of full enlightenment.
In a scripture known as the Stages of the Path (Tibetan: Lamrim), we find that the actual practice of the stages of the path fulfils the desires of all three kinds of being.
The practice of Lamrim is important because everyone needs to cultivate peaceful states of mind to peacefully co-exist with one another. By listening to or reading these teachings, we can learn how to control our mind and to keep a good motivation in the heart. This will lead to making our daily actions more and more pure and meaningful.
By controlling our mind, we can more readily solve our daily problems, and by gradually improving our daily practice of Lamrim, we may advance from our present stage to the stage of a Bodhisattva (someone whose spiritual practice is directed toward the achievement of enlightenment for the welfare of all beings). By progressing further we can become a fully enlightened being. This is the essential purpose and meaning of our human life. Such a great attainment can be the result of our practice of Lamrim. (The above has been based on and adapted from Gyatso, Geshe Kelsang. Joyful Path of Good Fortune: The Complete Buddhist Path to Enlightenment. Ulverston, England: Tharpa Publications, 1995; pages ix-xi.)
In summary, the Lamrim (one of the great classics of Tibetan literature) literally means “stages of the path”. It offers a comprehensive overview of the entire path to enlightenment based on the main body of the Buddha’s teachings
The Lamrim arranges the Buddha’s teachings in a manner that is easy to understand and to put into practice. The teachings are presented along a continuum, characterized by three spiritual attitudes: People who may overall have modest motivation, medium motivation, or high motivation.
On this website, the stages of the path are presented as follows:
Preliminaries
The Lamrim: author and authenticity; how to receive its instruction
The Spiritual Guide: how to rely on a spiritual guide
Precious Human Life: how to take the essence of this precious human rebirth
Modest Scope Motivation (striving for a rebirth in the upper realms: human, demigod, or god)
Death: reality that this life will end and that one will die
Suffering: in a rebirth in the lower realms (hell being, hungry ghost, animal)
Going for Refuge: in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha)
Karma: the law of cause and effect
Medium Scope Motivation (striving for liberation from cyclic existence)
Truth of Suffering: in all of cyclic existence
Origin of Suffering: afflictive emotions (especially attraction and aversion)
Cessation of Suffering: free of suffering and its origins
Path to Freedom from Suffering: ethics, concentration, and wisdom
High Scope Motivation (striving for complete Buddhahood)
Bodhichitta: mind that seeks enlightenment to benefit others
Mind of Enlightenment: how to develop
Perceiving Others: seven-point instruction in how to view others
Cherishing Others: self-cherishing versus cherishing others
Six Perfections: training in the six perfections
I find that this organizing and arranging of the main body of the Buddha’s teachings is insightful and meaningful. It presents a path for spiritual seekers to consider in their own practice.
With metta,
Alexander Peck
Source
http://www.buddhist-spirituality.net/miscellaneous-topics/the-lamrim
