The Wish-fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings

"Anyone who knows the Jewel Ornament well can say that they really understand Buddhism." -- Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is a masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism. For more than eight centuries, this text has provided a complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice-covering the initial entry into the path and continuing through to the achievement of Buddhahood. It includes teachings on Buddha-nature, finding a spiritual master, impermanence, karma, the cultivation of bodhicitta, the development of the six perfections, the ten Bodhisattva bhumis, Buddhahood, and the activities of a buddha.


The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, Gampopa, Translated by Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Snow Lion Publications, Paperback, 1998, 476 pages, $29.95

Bio for Gampopa, translated by Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche: Gampopa (1074-1153 C.E., one of tghe most highly respected Tibetan Buddhist masters, was the principle student of Milarepa. Gampopa's teachings were said to be clear "like the sun". The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is considered to be the most significant of his many texts.

Venerable Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen was born in Tsari, Tibet. After escaping from he received his Acharya degree at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies at Varanasi, India -- a nine year program. He then studied for years with many highly realized masters of the different Tibetan Buddhist lineages. While completing the traditional three-year retreat he studied the Five-fold Profound Path of Mahamudra, the Six Yogas of Naropa and other teachings. In 1982, he came to the USA and established the Tibetan Meditation Center. Since then he has devoted himself to establishing and teaching at varioius centers, writing and translating texts.

Foreword by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Acknowledgments
Translator's Introduction
Homage
Introduction
PART 1: THE PRIMARY CAUSE Chapter 1: Buddha-Nature
PART 2: THE WORKING BASIS Chapter 2: The Precious Human Life
PART 3: THE CONTRIBUTORY CAUSE Chapter 3: The Spiritual Master
PART 4: THE METHOD Introduction to Part 4 Antidote to Attachment to this Life
Chapter 4: Impermanence Antidote to Attachment to Samsara's Pleasure
Chapter 5: The Suffering of Samsara
Chapter 6: Karma and its Result
Antidote to Attachment to the Pleasure of Peace
Chapter 7: Loving-Kindness and Compassion Antidote to Not Knowing the Method of Practice for
Achieving Buddhahood Introduction to the Antidote to Not Knowing the Method of
Practice
Chapter 8: Refuge and Precepts Chapter 9: Cultivation of Bodhicitta
Chapter 10: Training in Aspiration Bodhicitta
Chapter 11: Training in Action Bodhicitta
Chapter 12: The Perfection of Generosity
Chapter 13: The Perfection of Moral Ethics
Chapter 14: The Perfection of Patience
Chapter 15: The Perfection of Perseverance
Chapter 16: The Perfection of Meditative Concentration
Chapter 17: The Perfection of Wisdom Awareness
Chapter 18: The Aspects of the Five Paths
Chapter 19: The Ten Bodhisattva Bhumis
PART 5: THE RESULT Chapter 20: Perfect Buddhahood
PART 6: THE ACTIVITIES
Chapter 21: Activities of the Buddha
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Dharma Lord Gampopa
Appendix B: Stories Referred to in the Text
Appendix C: Outline of the Text
Appendix D: A Brief Biography of the TranslatorTitles of Works Quoted
Glossary
Notes
Bibliography
Index