Lamrim Quotes

“Taking Refuge but then not observing the Refuge precepts is of very little benefit and the power of having taken it is soon lost. Therefore be always mindful of the precepts.” From Essence of Refined Gold by His Holiness the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso. Translated by Glen Mullin. Tushita Books (India), 1978.

“Ever-enhancing your enlightened motive of bodhicitta is the central axle of the Mahayana path. It is the basis and foundation for great waves of (enlightening) conduct. Like a gold-making elixir, (it turns) everything (you do) into the two collections, (building up) a treasure of merit gathered from infinitely collected virtues. Knowing this, bodhisattvas hold this […]

“Until you fall asleep you should rely on mindfulness to pursue the predominant virtuous action that you have cultivated during the day. Thereby you will be able to sustain your spiritual practice, such as meditative stabilization, even while asleep, similar to when you are not asleep.” From Middle Length Lam-Rim with Trijang Rinpoche’s Additional Outlines by Lama […]

“The cooperative conditions for the production of the path in your mind are (1) the accumulation of the collections, which are favorable conditions, and (2) the purification of your mind from obscurations, which are unfavorable conditions. If you lack these cooperative conditions, it is extremely difficult to produce the path, even if you take pains […]

“Considering the suffering of cyclic existence in general: The eight types of suffering A) Considering the suffering of birth B) Considering the suffering of aging C) Considering the suffering of illness D) Considering the suffering of death E) Considering the suffering of meeting with the unpleasant F) Considering the suffering of separation from the pleasant […]

“Although we do not recognize each other as such, there is not one sentient being who has not been our mother. And just as we have taken countless rebirths, we have had countless mothers; no being has not been our mother. And each time they were our mother, the kindness they showed us was no different […]

“Those who seem to be neutral at present, in many former lives have variously been friends and foes – they’ve done me harm in anger, and also, infinite times, done me good with love. Therefore, among all these migrating beings, which should I hate, and which should I be attached to? Let me now not […]

“With a firm, intense, and enduring faith in Manjushri, Best at banishing the darkness from the disciple’s mind, I prayed that all the teachings might dawn as training, And I applied myself to all the requisite conditions. When I think this over, how well my destiny was fulfilled! Thank you so very much, O Holy […]

“At death, my body and life-force will perish quickly Like bubbles on a moving stream. Remembering this And having found stable certainty that after death, The fruits of my glowing and murky actions will follow behind, Like a shadow to a body, I request inspiration always to take care To rid myself of even the slightest, […]

“I shall explain here to the best of my ability: The essential points of all the scriptures of the Conqueror; The path acclaimed by all excellent bodhisattvas; The gateway for the fortunate ones aspiring for liberation. Those who are not attached to the joys of cyclic existence, Who strive to make meaningful this life of […]