The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings

Description

A masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism—providing the complete foundation for study and practice—from beginning to Buddhahood. Includes teachings on Buddha-nature, finding the spiritual master, impermanence, karma, cultivation of bodhicitta, development of the six perfections, the ten bodhisattva bhumis, Buddhahood, and the activities of the Buddha. Review "Anyone who knows the Jewel Ornament well can say that they really understand Buddhism."—Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen "Contains a wealth of useful material for anyone committed to the study and practice of the path and stages, or the Great Vehicle. The introduction is a fine overview of the text, given in a form accessible to the Western non-scholar practitioner. In fact, the introduction constitutes the contents of a single course on the Great Vehicle. . . . Provides a fine biography of Gampopa."—Tibet Journal From the Publisher Translator's Introduction I pay homage to all root and lineage lamas! Please grant your blessings to me And to all sentient beings! Dharma Lord Gampopa (1074-1153 C.E.), the author of THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION, was fully accomplished in the teachings and practice of Buddhism, the philosophy taught by Shakyamuni Buddha circa 560 B.C.E. Gampopa studied the sutra system of training in the Kadampa lineage and obtained tantra training from the great saint Milarepa. Because he himself thus embodied the complete form of Buddhism, Lord Gampopa successfully established complete Buddhism in Tibet. His lineage of disciples pervaded the whole of Jambudvipa and became the crown jewel of all Buddhism. He completely dispelled the darkness of confusion and reconciled all misunderstandings between the sutra and tantra systems. This is why, among Milarpa's disciples, he was declared to be "like the sun." In reality, it was as if the Buddha himself had manifested again in human form. Therefore, Gampopa's teachings are recognized as being wholly pure and precious. Of the many important texts he wrote, THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION is probably the most significant. Gampopa said, "For anyone who wishes to see me, studying THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION and the PRECIOUS GARLAND OF THE EXCELLENT PATH is the same as meeting me." So, THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION acts as Gampopa's regent in these times. In this book, you will find a complete form of Buddhism -- right from the starting point, the ground where you enter into the path until you achieve Buddhahood and manifest activities for the benefit of infinite sentient beings. From the Back Cover A masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism--providing the complete foundation for study and practice--from beginning to Buddhahood. Includes teachings on Buddha-nature, finding the spiritual master, impermanence, karma, cultivation of bodhicitta, development of the six perfections, the ten bodhisattva bhumis, Buddhahood, and the activities of the Buddha. "Anyone who knows the Jewel Ornament well can say that they really understand Buddhism."--Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen "..clear and readable"--Bodhi Tree Bookstore About the Authors Gampopa, who lived in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, was the organizer of the Kagyü order of Tibetan Buddhism. Khenchen Könchog Gyaltshen, the founder of several Buddhist centers worldwide, is respected and beloved as an accomplished scholar, meditation master, teacher, translator, and author. In 2001 he received the high honor of being enthroned as Khenchen (great abbot). He lives in Frederick, Maryland.