GGBC Study Material : Stages of The Path to Full Enlightement

The following is an extracted outline of the stages of the path to full enlightenment, lam.rim 1), as taught by the tradition of Je Tsongkhapa 2). For the full outline, please consult the source, HH Dalai Lama's commentary called Path to Bliss (Snow Lion Publications).

Foundation of the Path

• Relying on a Teacher and Teachings
  • Cultivating Faith and Respect
  • Follow instructions

Lower Scope

• Taking the Essence of the Human Life
  • Reflecting on the great value of leisure and fortune
  • Reflecting on the rarity
• Death Awareness
• Sufferings of the lower realms
• Refuge
• Cause and Effect Laws

Medium Scope

• Liberation from Cyclic Existence
  • Reflecting on generic and specific sufferings in cyclic existence
  • Presentation of paths leading to liberation

Great Scope

• Cultivate the mind of Benefiting Others
  • Generating this mind through the instructions of seven point cause and effect
  • Generating this mind through the instructions of exchanging self with others
  • Bodhisattva vows
  • Training in the actions of a bodhisattva
• The Correct View of Reality
  • Single pointed concentration used as a tool for deeper meditation sessions
  • On the selflessness of persons
  • On the selfnessness of phenomena

1) lam.rim, Tib. for stages of the path (lam - path, rim - stages).
2) Je Tsongkhapa, 1357-1419, founder of the Gelug (virtuous ones) tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.