Lamrim Quotes

“In order to extend enormously my own virtue And to show the entrance without error in a way appropriate To the many fortunate persons of clear discernment, I wrote this record of my education. By the mass of virtues thus attained, May all beings, through this same procedure, Maintain the unexcelled discipline of the Buddha, […]

“Understanding that the precious freedom of this rebirth is found only once, Is greatly meaningful and difficult to find again, Please bless me to generate the mind that unceasingly, Day and night, takes its essence.” From Foundation of All Good Qualities by Je Tsong Khapa as published in Essential Buddhist Prayers: An FPMT Prayer Book, volume 1. […]

“Thus when you have understood as they are The essentials of the three principal aspects of the path, O son, seek solitude and by enhancing the power of perseverance, Swiftly accomplish your ultimate aspiration.” From The Three Principal Aspects of the Path by Lama Tsongkhapa. Translated by Thubten Jinpa, Ph.D. PDF available from the Institute of Tibetan Classics.

“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 by […]

“The best way to rely upon a spiritual master is to practice contemplative meditation upon his excellent qualities and also upon his beneficial function in your spiritual life.” From The Essence of Refined Gold – Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by His Holiness the Third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso as published in The Path […]

“Patience is the best adornment for those with power and the perfect ascetic practice for those tormented by delusions. It is the high-soaring eagle as the enemy of the snake of anger, and the thickest armor against the weapons of abusive language. Knowing this, (the wise) have accustomed themselves in various ways and forms to […]

“Through meditating in this manner on the disadvantages of cyclic existence from different perspectives over a long time, you will see all existence as a pit of blazing fire, and your mind will be thoroughly overcome by the wish to attain the liberation that completely pacifies suffering. If, due to that, you train in the […]

“Contemplate as follows, ‘After I have generated the spirit of enlightenment for the sake of accomplishing all living beings’ benefit and happiness, I get angry at harmdoers when they obtain happiness on their own. After I have said that I want all beings to become buddhas, I get unhappy when harmdoers get even minimal prosperity […]

“If the positive force Of bodhichitta had form, It would fill completely the sphere of space And go beyond even that.” From Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment by Dipamkara Shrijnana Atisha. Translated by Alex Berzin. PDF available from The Berzin Archives.

“How to cultivate the patience that is unconcerned with respect to harm: A) The offender’s lack of control B) The inappropriateness of anger given that he has no control C) The scriptural source for this D) How anger is inappropriate if one thinks of one’s own karma E) Consequently, the appropriateness of being patient as […]