Lamrim Quotes

“After death I have no freedom to choose where I shall be reborn, because that is determined by (my previous) deeds.  The force of my non-virtuous deeds is very strong, and the force of my virtuous deeds very weak.  If I fall into the fearful abyss of the unfortunate realms, how shall I bear the […]

“First, I sought out often extensive learning, Then all teachings dawned as trainings, Finally, I practiced all day and all night, Completely dedicated to spread the Teaching! Thinking this over, how well my destiny saw fulfilled! Thanking you so very much, O Holy Wisdom Treasure!” From Destiny Fulfilled: The Spiritual Biography of Lama Tsong Khapa by […]

“This life is as impermanent as a water bubble; Remember how quickly it decays and death comes. After death, just like a shadow follows the body, The results of black and white karma follow.” From Foundation of All Good Qualities by Je Tsong Khapa As translated in: Included in Essential Buddhist Prayers: An FPMT Prayer Book, volume 1. […]

“By cultivating in mind that this human life is so hard to find Yet has no time to spare, preoccupations with this life will cease.” From The Three Principal Aspects of the Path by Je Tsong Khapa As translated in: The Three Principal Aspects of the Path by Lama Tsongkhapa. Translated by Thubten Jinpa, Ph.D. PDF available from […]

“Then to practise the actual teaching, Since every single quality in disciples’ minds Depends on pleasing the excellent spiritual masters, To start, the way to rely upon them is of extreme importance.” From Essence of Fine Speech – Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by Ngawang Drakpa of Dagpo As translated in: The Essence of All Sublime […]

“Therefore, if one wishes to engage in the general stages of the path of the Great Vehicle and, specifically, in Highest Yoga Tantra, the vital goal is turning definitely the path which is shared with the beings of small and middling scope into the essence.” From The Swift Path – Stages of the Path to Enlightenment […]

“Lacking even a smattering of the experience of detachment from cyclic existence, how is it possible to give rise to a fully characterized, uncontrived Great Compassion observing other sentient beings?” From The Sacred Words of Manjushri – Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by His Holiness the Fifth Dalai Lama, Lobsang Gyatso As translated in: The Interwoven […]

“Having first meditated refuge, the spirit of enlightenment and the four immeasurable qualities, reflect upon the following, reciting it seven, twenty-one times or more: In particular, for the sake of all sentient beings, my mothers, by all means I will quickly, very quickly, realize perfect, consummate Buddhahood. To that end, I will now meditate on […]

“This is how the complete body of the path that condenses all the principal points of the sutras and tantras is to be approached, and how the opportunities afforded by human rebirth are rendered meaningful.  By practicing in this graduated way, one uses the precious Buddhadharma most effectively for the benefit of oneself and others.  Jey […]

“Discriminating awareness is the eye for (seeing) the profound view of the nature of reality. It’s the pathway of mind for extracting the root of compulsive existence. It’s the treasure of good qualities praised in all the scriptural pronouncements, And is renowned as the best of lamps for dispelling the darkness of naivety. Realizing this, […]