Lamrim Quotes

“All of the mundane and supramundane good qualities of the Mahayana and Hinayana are the result of serenity and insight…. An undistracted mind is mental one-pointedness, the serenity aspect, while accurate reflection on facts and meanings refers to discerning wisdom, the insight aspect. Thus, you must achieve all good qualities of the two vehicles through […]

“However, should the factors for a stilled settled mind be weak, Then even if you have meditated with great effort And even if for thousands of years, You will not attain single-minded concentration. Therefore, maintain well the factors mentioned In the chapter on A Network for Single-Minded Concentration. Then place your mind on something constructive: […]

“Adverse conditions for joyous effort: A) Seeing that one is able to accomplish virtuous dharmas but not engaging in them B) The discouragement that thinks: “How could I ever accomplish anything like that?” Relying on favorable conditions for joyous effort: A) The power of devotion B) The power of stability C) The power of joy […]

“Whenever you are beset by suffering – while enduring ascetic practices for the sake of the Dharma, when sick, when beset by unasked-for enemies, or even when suffering in a nightmare – turn them all into things that will help your Dharma practice; think about how they will use up evil karma; increase your love […]

“Ethical discipline consists in giving up harm and the wish to harm others. The perfection of ethical discipline is defined as gradually increasing the mind’s familiarization with it until it is complete. It consists in the ethical discipline of abstention from wrongdoing, which has already been explained, in the ethical discipline of collecting virtue, which […]

“Attainment of the supreme state of Buddhahood will not be accomplished merely by thinking “may I attain it.” I shall therefore take the Bodhisattva vows, endeavor to follow the practises, and engage in the activities of the spiritual sons. To teach the Dharma in whatever way is suitable without looking for offerings, respect, and so […]

“With the darkness of confusion concerning the points to adopt or reject Not dispelled by the lamp of perfect learning, If you do not know even the path, what need to speak Of entering the supreme city of liberation! Therefore, not content with a partial or superficial understanding Of the treatises of the Invincible Lord […]

“(Healthy) reliance on a kind spiritual master, The foundation for all good qualities, is the root of the path. Seeing this well, I request inspiration to rely With great appreciation, through many endeavours.” From Foundation of All Good Qualities by Je Tsong Khapa As translated in: Foundation of All Good Qualities by Tsongkhhapa. Translated by Alex Berzin. PDF […]

“Swept away by the current of the four powerful rivers, Tied by the tight bonds of karma, so hard to undo, Caught in the iron net of self-grasping, Completely enveloped by the total darkness of ignorance, Endlessly reborn in cyclic existence, Ceaselessly tormented by the three sufferings – Thinking that all mothers are in such […]

“Worthy of refuge are those who are entirely free of all personal fears, Who are skilled in the methods to free others from their frights, And whose compassion encompasses all. Although the Conqueror has already provided the external conditions for it, You must provide the internal conditions: trust and firm regard of them as a […]