Here are presented talks by the unequaled spiritual friend, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. These talks are especially wonderful in presenting the teachings so that they are easily understood and their meaning realized. It is said that if one practices the profound Dharma given here, now and in the future, one will become truly joyful. ------ The Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje

One of the shining jewels of the Kagyu lineage is the Dharma Lord Gampopa (1079-1153). Among many great accomplishments Gampopa is particularly well known for the merging into one river the Kadampa lineage with the Mahamudra lineage he received from his root teacher Milarepa. The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, a text on the graded path and of the sutra tradition, represents the blending of these two traditions and is thus a primary text for all Kagyu students.


Je Gampopa's The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, Thrangu Rinpoche, Zhyisil Chokyi GhaTsal, Paperback, 417 pages, $39.00

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master known for his deep compassion and the clarity of his teachings. He was selected by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to serve as the principal tutor to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Oryen Trinley Dorje. Thrangu Rinpoche is a full holder and teacher of the Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. He founded the Namo Buddha retreat center in Nepal, has established two shedras (monastic universities) in Nepal and India, and serves as Abbot of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. He also built Tara Abbey, where nuns receive a full dharma education qualifying them to become khenpos or teachers. Thrangu Rinpoche teaches extensively throughout Asia, Europe and the United States. He has centers in Maine and California, and is building the Vajra Vidya Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado.

	Contents: Je Gampopa's The Jewel Ornament of Liberation
	Foreword:
	His Holiness Karmapa	xix
	Venerable Lama Shedrup	xxi
	Brief Biography:
	Biography of Dharma Lord Gampopa	xxiii
	Biography of Thrangu Rinpoche	xxxiii
	Preface	xxxv
	Introduction to the Text	1
	The Name of the Text	2
	The Homage	3
	The Six Topics of the Book	4
	TOPIC 1: THE PRIMARY CAUSE
	Chapter 1
	Buddha Nature
	Evidence in the Scriptures	10
	Three Reasons Why Beings Possess Buddha Nature	12
	Five Categories of Potential	14
	I. The Cut off Potential	14
	II. The Uncertain Potential	17
	Different Motivations	17
	III. The Shravaka Potential	18
	IV. The Pratyekabuddha Potential	19
	The Purpose of These Instructions	20
	V. The Mahayana Potential	21
	A. Classification	21
	B. Definition	21
	C. Synonyms	22
	D. The Reason Why it is Superior	22
	E. Characteristics	23
	The Four Unfavourable Conditions	23
	The Two Favourable Conditions	24
	F. Signs	24
	Summary	24
	TOPIC 2: THE WORKING BASIS
	Chapter 2
	The Precious Human Life
	Two Points of the Physical Aspect	30
	I. The Eight Freedoms	31
	II. The Ten Endowments	31
	A. Five Endowments from Oneself	32
	B. Five Endowments from Others	33
	Examples Showing Preciousness	33
	Three Points of the Mental Aspect	34
	III. Trusting Faith	35
	IV. Longing Faith	35
	V. Clear Faith	35
	Impediments to Faith	36
	TOPIC 3: THE CONDITION
	Chapter 3
	The Spiritual Friend
	I. Reason: Why We Need a Spiritual Friend	43
	A. Scripture	43
	B. Logic	43
	C. Examples	44
	II. Classification: The Types of Spiritual Friends	46
	III. The Characteristics of a Spiritual Friend	46
	IV. How to Relate to a Spiritual Friend	47
	A. Respect	47
	B. Veneration	48
	C. Practice	48
	V. The Benefits of Relying on a Spiritual Friend	49
	TOPIC 4: THE METHOD
	The Teachings of a Spiritual Friend
	Introduction to Topic 4	53
	Four Obstacles to Accomplishing Buddhahood	55
	The Four Remedies	56
	Chapter 4
	The Instructions on Impermanence
	THE REMEDY FOR ATTACHMENT TO THIS LIFE
	I. The Classification of Impermanence	60
	II. The Method for Meditating on Impermanence	62
	III. The Benefits that Arise from Meditating on Impermanence	67
	Chapter 5
	The Meditation on the Suffering of Samsara
	THE FIRST REMEDY TO ATTACHMENT TO SAMSARA'S PLEASURES
	Three Types of Suffering	72
	I. All-pervasive Suffering	73
	II. The Suffering of Change	74
	III. The Suffering of Suffering	75
	Chapter 6
	Karma and Its Reach
	THE SECOND REMEDY TO ATTACHMENT TO SAMSARA'S PLEASURES
	I. Clasification	83
	II. The Primary Characteristics of Each Classification	84
	III. The Action Ripening for Oneself	87
	IV. Strict Result	87
	V. Great Ripening Arises from Small Actions	88
	VI. The Inevitability of Actions	89
	Chapter 7
	The Instructions on Meditation on Loving-kindness & Compassion
	THE REMEDY TO ATTACHMENT TO THE PLEASURE OF PEACE
	I. The Practice of Loving Kindness	93
	A. The Classification	93
	B. The Object	95
	C. The Identifying Characteristic	95
	D. Method of Practice	95
	Four Contemplations	97
	E. Measure of the Practice	101
	F. The Benefits	102
	II. The Practice of Compassion	102
	A. The Classification	103
	B. The Object: All Sentient Beings	104
	C. The Identifying Characteristic	106
	D. Method of Practice	106
	E. Measure of the Practice	110
	F. The Benefits	110
	Eight Immediate Benefits	111
	Developing an Attitude Towards Bodhichitta
	THE REMEDY TO NOT KNOWING THE METHOD OF PRACTICE FOR ACCOMPLISHING BUDDHAHOOD
	I. The Foundation For Developing an Attitude Towards Bodhichitta	116
	A. Having the Mahayana Potential	117
	Chapter 8
	Refuge & Precepts
	B. Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels	119
	1. The Classification	121
	2. The Working Basis	121
	3. The Object	121
	4. The Time	124
	5. The Motivation	124
	6. The Ceremony	125
	7. The Function	125
	8. The Training	125
	a) The Three General Trainings	126
	b) The Three Specific Trainings	127
	c) The Three Common Trainings	128
	9. The Beneficial Effects	130
	C. The Pratimoksha Precepts	130
	1. Analogy	131
	2. Scriptural Authority	131
	3. Reasoning	131
	Chapter 9
	Cultivation of Bodhichitta
	II. The Essence	133
	III. The Classification	134
	A. Simile	134
	B. Different Levels	146
	C. Characteristics	146
	Ultimate Bodhichitta	146
	Relative Bodhichitta	147
	Acquiring Bodhichitta	148
	IV. Objectives	149
	V. The Cause	150
	VI. From Whom One Receives It	151
	VII. The Method (Ceremony)	152
	VIII. The Beneficial Effects	152
	A. The Countable Benefits	152
	1. The Beneficial Effects of Cultivating Aspiration-bodhichitta	153
	2. Beneficial Effects from Cultivating Action-bodhichitta	158
	B. The Uncountable Benefits	159
	IX. The Disadvantages of Losing Bodhichitta	162
	X. The Cause of Losing Bodhichitta	163
	XI. The Means of Regaining Bodhichitta Once It is Lost	164
	Chapter 10
	Training In Aspiration-bodhichitta
	XII. The Training	167
	A. Training in Aspiration-bodhichitta	167
	1. Not Forsaking Sentient Beings from our Heart	168
	2. Recollecting the Beneficial Effects of Bodhichitta	168
	3. Gathering the Two Accumulations	169
	4. Practicing Bodhichitta	170
	5. Rejection of the Four Unwholesome Deeds and Acceptance of the Four Wholesome Deeds	172
	Chapter 11
	Training in Action-bodhichitta
	B. Training in Action-bodhichitta	181
	1. Definite Number	182
	2. Definite Order	182
	3. Characteristics	182
	4. Definition	183
	5. Division	183
	6. Grouping	184
	Chapter 12
	The Perfection of Generosity
	I. Reflection on the Virtues and Faults	186
	II. Definition	189
	III. Classification	190
	IV. Characteristics of Each Classification
	A. Giving Wealth	190
	1. Impure Giving	190
	2. Pure Giving	192
	B. Giving Fearlessness	192
	C. Giving Dharma	192
	V. Increase	195
	VI. Perfection	196
	VII. Result	196
	Chapter 13
	The Perfection of Moral Ethics
	I. Reflection on the Virtues and Faults	199
	II. Definition	203
	III. Classification	204
	IV. Characteristics of Each	204
	A. Moral Discipline of Restraint	204
	B. Morality of Accumulating Dharma Virtue	205
	C. Morality of Benefiting Other Beings	205
	V. Increase	206
	VI. Perfection	206
	VII. Result	206
	Chapter 14
	The Perfection of Patience
	I. Reflection on the Virtues and Faults	209
	II. Definition	213
	III. Classification	213
	IV. Characteristics of Each Classification	214
	A. The Patience of Not Being Disturbed by the Harm Done by Others	214
	B. The Patience of Accepting Suffering	223
	C. Patience in Understanding Dharma	226
	V. Increase	227
	VI. Perfection	227
	VII. Result	227
	Chapter 15
	The Perfection of Diligence
	I. Reflection on the Virtues and Faults	229
	II. Definition	231
	A. The Laziness of Apathy and Sloth	232
	B. The Laziness of Discouragement	233
	C. The laziness Caused by Being Involved with Lower Aims	234
	III. Classification	237
	IV. Characteristics of Each Classification
	A. Armour-like Diligence	237
	B. Diligence of Application	238
	C. Insatiable Diligence	239
	V. Increase	240
	VI. Perfection	240
	VII. Result	240
	Chapter 16
	The Perfection of Meditative Concentration
	I. Reflection on the Virtues and Faults	243
	II. Definition	244
	A. We Should Avoid Distraction	246
	B. Isolating the Mind from Discursive Thoughts	250
	C. Through the Isolation of Body and Mind, Distraction will not Arise	252
	Eliminating the Disturbing Emotions	253
	Transforming the Disturbing Emotions	259
	The Special Instructions from the Lineage of Marpa	259
	III. Classification	260
	IV. Characteristics of Each Classification
	A. Meditative Concentration which Gives One Happiness while It is Practiced	261
	B. Meditative Concentration, which Produces all Good Qualities	261
	C. Metitative Concentration that can Accomplish the Good of Beings	261
	V. Increase	261
	VI. Perfection	262
	VII. Result	262
	Questions	263
	Chapter 17
	The Perfection of Wisdom-awareness
	I. Reflection on the Virtues and Faults	265
	II. Definition	267
	III. Classification	267
	IV. Characteristics of Each Classification
	A. Wisdom-awareness of the Mundane	268
	B. Wisdom-awareness of the Lesser Supramundane	268
	C. Wisdom-awareness of the Greater Supramundane	268
	V. What Needs to be Known: Wisdom-awareness	269
	A. The Refutation of Grasping Things as Being Existent	271
	The Non-existence of a Personal Self	271
	The Method of Meditation	275
	The Non-existence of the Self of Phenomena	275
	The Emptiness of Outer Objects	277
	The Emptiness of Inner Mind	280
	B. Refutation of Grasping Things as Being Non-existent	282
	C. The Path That Leads to Liberation	282
	VI. What Needs to be Practiced	283
	VII. Result	285
	Questions	287
	Chapter 18
	The Aspects of the Five Paths
	I. The Path of Accumulation	293
	II. The Path of Junction	294
	III. The Path of Insight	297
	IV. The Path of Cultivation	298
	V. The Path of Accomplishment	300
	Chapter 19
	The Levels of the Path
	Outline of the Thirteen Levels	303
	TOPIC 5: THE RESULT
	The Result is the Body of Perfect Buddhahood
	Chapter 20
	Perfect Buddhahood
	I. Nature	310
	II. Significance of the Name	313
	III. Classification	315
	IV. Definition	316
	V. Reason for the Definite Number of Three Kayas	316
	VI. Characteristics of the Three Kayas	317
	VII. Special Traits	317
	TOPIC 6. THE ACTIVITIES
	The Activities are Benefiting Sentient Beings Without Conceptual Thought
	Chapter 21
	Activities of the Buddha
	I. Spontaneous Activities of Body to Benefit Beings	323
	I. Spontaneous Activities of Speech to Benefit Beings	324
	I. Spontaneous Activities of Mind to Benefit Beings	325
	Conclusion	327
	Summary of the Text	329
	Notes	365
	Glossary of Terms	391
	Index	409