This book is the first volume of a
twenty-four-day teaching on the Lamrim by the renowned Lama Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche,
considered the most influential Tibetan Lama of the Gelukpa tradition from the early part
of the twentieth century. His teachings drew audiences in the tens of thousands to attend
discourses that sometimes lasted for as long as three months. This particular teaching
combined the instructions of three texts. Two of the three are important Lamrim texts--the
Second Panchen Lama's Quick Path and the Fifth Dalai Lama's Mañjughosha's
Oral Instruction. The third is the singularly important Seven-Point Mind Training,
compiled by the 12th century Kadampa Master, Chekawa Yeshe Dorje. Pabongka Rinpoche
draws on his own personal experience to present the instructions in a way that is easy to
practice and brings great spiritual development. Part One covers such topics as the proper
motivation to maintain when receiving Lamrim instruction; a a short biography of Atisha,
the founder of the Lamrim tradition, together with a brief history of the Lamrim tradition
in Tibet; a presentation of the teachings unique qualities and benefits of the Lamrim
teaching; and an explanation of the proper method of teaching and listening to it. This is
followed by a detailed commentary on the "Six Preliminary Practices," known as Jorchö.
The book includes a removable, poster-size drawing of the entire merit field (tsok
shing) that is visualized during the Jorchö ritual, as well as a complete
translation of the ritual itself.
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