Letter to a Friend: Nagarjuna’s Classic Text

Description

Front Cover Title Page Half Title Copyright Dedication Contents Foreword by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche IX Biography of Author Acknowledgements Editor’s Introduction Editor’s Biography Introduction to Text Encouragement to Listen to the Teachings Focus on the Meaning of the Teachings The Importance of Learning The Main Body of the Text—Pursuing the Virtuous Life The Six Reminders Recollecting the Qualities of the Buddha Recollecting the Qualities of the Buddha’s Teachings Recollecting the Qualities of the Sangha Counsel to Remain Steadfast in One’s Virtuous Conduct Reflecting on Karma Recollection of Generosity Recollection of Moral Precepts The Practice of Taking Moral Precepts Practicing the Six Perfections of Mahayana Remaining Steadfast in Virtue—General Advice for Laypeople Practicing Dharma Filial Piety Taking Precepts from Time to Time Transforming One’s Attitude Practicing Heedfulness The Practice of Patience Preparation for Meditation—Counsel to Laypeople Giving up Enmity To Practice Correct Conduct of Body, Speech, and Mind The Importance of Pleasant Speech The Four Forms of Migration The Four Categories of Persons Refraining From Causing Harm to Others Protecting the Mind Uprooting the Cause of Excessive Desire Mastering the Six Sense Organs Abandoning Excessive Desires The Development of Wisdom The Nature of Reality Meditation on Dependent Origination Cultivating the Superior Qualities Regarding the Eight Worldly Dharmas Equally Consequences of Negative Karma Cannot be Shared The Action of Karma Acquiring the Wealth of the Holy Ones Preserving Inner Wealth The Importance of Contentment The Importance of Having Few Desires The Practice of Meditation Cultivating Tranquility Meditation Before Sleep and Upon Waking The Four Immeasurables Contemplating the Nature of Appearances Contemplating Interdependence Contemplating Ultimate Reality The Practice of Shamatha The Four Levels of Concentration Cultivating Virtues The Power of Virtue The Five Obscurations The Five Powers The Importance of Humility Right View Be Guided by Right View The Four Seals The Nature of the Self and Aggregates The Nature of Conditioned Existence Primal Cause Argument Theistic Argument No Cause Argument The Three Fetters The Four-Fold Truth Encouragement in the Disciplines of Ethics, Wisdom, and Concentration Impermanence and the Preciousness of Life Considering the Excellent Qualities of Nirvana and Practice the Path Resulting in Nirvana Practice the Path with Urgency The Three Higher Trainings The Seven Limbs The Two Accumulations The Importance of Avoiding Speculation The Twelve Links of Interdependent Arising The Eightfold Path The Four Noble Truths Disciplining the Mind Toward Virtue Maintain Persistence in Applying the Methods The Fruition of The Path Concluding Remarks Notes Bibliography Glossary Index