Middle Length Lam-Rim (Lam rim ‘bring ba) by Lama Tsongkhapa with additional outlines by Trijang Rinpoche Translated from the Tibetan by Philip Quarcoo PENULTIMATE EDITION May 2008 © FPMT, Inc. May 2008 All rights reserved No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system or technologies now known or later developed, without permission in writing from FPMT, Inc. Table of contents Note from the editor..................................................................................................................iv CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................1 Expression of veneration and the vow of composition...............................................................1 General introductory explanation of the instructions being taught here...................................1 Showing the greatness of the author in order to make the teachings venerable ........................2 Showing the greatness of the teachings for the sake of generating respect for the instructions 7 Explanation of how Dharma possessed of the two greatnesses should be listened to and explained ...................................................................................................................................11 Explanation of the stages by which a student of the actual instructions should be guided .....19 CHAPTER II SMALL SCOPE.................................................................................................50 Explanation of the stages of the path common to lesser beings...............................................50 Explanation of how to be mindful of death - that one will not stay in this world for long ....50 Explanation of what will become of you in future worlds: How to think about the happiness and suffering of the two [types of] migrating beings................................................................58 Explanation of how to rely on methods for the happiness of future worlds............................64 CHAPTER III INTERMEDIATE SCOPE.............................................................................104 Explanation of the stages of the path common to intermediate beings ................................104 Explanation of how to develop the mind striving for liberation............................................104 Explanation of how the nature of the path leading to liberation is established....................126 CHAPTER IV GREAT SCOPE UP TO CALM ABIDING .................................................132 How to train the mind on the stages of the path of great beings ...........................................132 Demonstrating that generating the mind of enlightenment is the only gateway to the Mahayana, including an explanation of its benefits ...............................................................133 The explanation of how to generate the mind of enlightenment ..........................................135 Explanation of how to train the mind by means of the sevenfold instruction on cause and effect........................................................................................................................................136 Explanation how to train the mind through equalizing and exchanging oneself and others 147 Explanation of how to assume the mind generation by means of a ritual .............................152 Explanation of how to train in the conduct having generated the mind [of enlightenment] 164 Explanation how to train in the conduct of the jinas’ children in general ............................174 CHAPTER FIVE CALM ABIDING AND SPECIAL INSIGHT..........................................204 Explanation of how to train in the last two perfections in particular ....................................204 Explanation of how to train in calm abiding, the entity of concentration.............................212 Explanation of how to train in special insight, the essence of wisdom ..................................249 Explanation of how calm abiding and special insight unite...................................................321 CHAPTER SIX CONCLUSION..........................................................................................325 Explanation of how to train in the uncommon vehicle, the Vajrayana .................................325 NOTES....................................................................................................................................328 iii Note from the editor The additional outline and any further additions by Trijang Rinpoche are in small lettertype, to be distinguished from Lama Tsongkhapa’s own outline which is in larger lettertype. Lama Tsongkhapa’s outline is extracted from the main text. The division of the text in chapters is added by the editor; the main titles are probably added by the editor of the Tibetan text. The numbers in brackets { } correspond to the Tibetan text of the Middle Lam-Rim published by Sera Je Computer Project, Sera Je Monastic University, Bylakuppe, 1999. The initial draft translation by Philip Quarcoo was used by the Basic Program at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, and provisional changes were made by Ven. Joan Nicell as clarification, to add missing words, or to make slight corrections based on checking the original Tibetan. In this penultimate edition Philip has incorporated many of Joan’s suggestions, and he carefully revisited his earlier work in preparation for publication, checking it against the Tibetan and re-translating where needed. Olga Planken, editor FPMT Edcuation Department May 2008 iv Middle length explanation of the stages of the path to enlightenment to be practiced by the three [types of] beings with supplementary insertions and a thematic structure CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Respectfully I prostrate at the feet of the venerable saints who are full of compassion. This here is the middling of three Lamrim texts - a great, a middle length and a small one - which the gentle 1 protector, Dharmaraja Tsongkhapa composed. It is also widely known as the “small Lamrim”. Its source text has three sections: 1 The introductory elements of the explanations 2 Composition of the explanations themselves 3 Their completion 1 The introductory elements of the explanations Expression of veneration and the vow of composition 1A Expression of veneration Bhagavan2, Lord of this world system of forbearance, Jina’s3 regent, Jamgon, Lord of the Dharma, Manjughosha, single father of all the sugatas4, Nagarjuna and Asanga, foretold by the Jina, bowing to you with respect 1B Vow of composition I shall once more give explanations here in a summary fashion of the gradual path of the most profound view and of vast conduct - making it easy to access. General introductory explanation of the instructions being taught here 1C Identification of the Dharma to be explained in the context of what the title means {2} The Dharma to be explained here consists in how the fortunate are lead to the level of buddhahood through the stages of the path to enlightenment. It summarises all the points of the Jina’s excellent speech, [following] the tradition of the two great trail-blazers Nagarjuna and Asanga, constitutes the Dharma system of supreme beings progressing to the state of omniscience, and contains all the stages without omission that the three [types of] beings need to practice. 2 Composition of the explanations themselves A Correspondence with the manner of explanation proposed by the scholars B The actual explanations in accordance with that 2A Correspondence with the manner of explanation proposed by the scholars 1 Middle Length Lam-Rim Introduction The scholars of glorious Vikramashila [monastery] considered it vital to start off with three preliminaries, i.e. the greatness of the author of the teachings, the greatness of the teachings and the way to explain and listen to them. 2B The actual explanations in accordance with that 1 Showing the greatness of the author in order to show that the teachings are venerable 2 Showing the greatness of the teachings in order to generate respect towards the instructions 3 How the teachings which are great in two ways should be listened to and explained 4 The stages by which a disciple should be guided through the actual instructions In accordance with that, the guide to the stages of the path to enlightenment has four [parts]: Showing the greatness of the author in order to show that the teachings are venerable, showing the greatness of the teachings in order to generate respect towards the instructions, how the teachings which are great in two ways should be listened to and explained, and the stages by which a disciple should be guided through the actual instructions. Showing the greatness of the author in order to make the teachings venerable 2B1 Showing the greatness of the author in order to show that the teachings are venerable A The root and actual author B His greatness 2B1A The root and actual author First: the author: Generally speaking, the present instructions are the ones that the venerable protector Maitreya gives in his Ornament of Clear Realization. In particular, they are based on Lamp on the Path to Enlightenment, so that its author is also the author of the present text. Other than under the name of Great Master Dipamkara Shri-jñana he is also widely known as the glorious Atisha. 2B1B Atisha’s greatness 1 How Atisha took birth in an excellent family 2 How Atisha achieved