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Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment: A Commentary on Atisha Dipamkara Shrijnana's A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment and Lama Je Tsong Khapa's Lines of Experience
About one thousand years ago, the great Indian pandit and yogi, Dipamkara Shrijnana (Atisha), was invited to Tibet to re-establish the Buddhadharma, which had been suppressed and corrupted for almost two centuries. One of Atisha's main accomplishments in Tibet was his writing of the seminal text, A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment, in which he extracted the essence of all 84,000 teachings of the Buddha and organized them into a clear, step-like arrangement that makes it easy for any individual practitioner to understand and practice the Dharma. This genre of teachings is known as lam-rim, or steps of the path, and forms an essential part of every school of Tibetan Buddhism. In this book, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives a commentary to not only Atisha's revolutionary work but also to Lines of Experience, a short text written by Lama Tsong Khapa, who was perhaps the greatest of all Tibetan lam-rim authors. In bringing together Atisha, Lama Tsong Khapa and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, this book offers readers one of the clearest and most authoritative expositions of the Tibetan Buddhist path ever published, and it is recommended for those at the beginning of the path, the middle and the end. This book is made possible by kind supporters of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive who, like you, appreciate how we make these teachings freely available in so many ways, including in our website for instant reading, listening or downloading, and as printed and electronic books. Our website offers immediate access to thousands of pages of teachings and hundreds of audio recordings by some of the greatest lamas of our time. Our photo gallery and our ever-popular books are also freely accessible there. Please help us increase our efforts to spread the Dharma for the happiness and benefit of all beings. You can find out more about becoming a supporter of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive and see all we have to offer by visiting our website at LamaYeshe.com. Thank you so much, and please enjoy this ebook.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
141 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Dalai Lama XIV
1,502books6,065followersJetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Döndrub), the 14th Dalai Lama, is a practicing member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and is influential as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the world's most famous Buddhist monk, and the leader of the exiled Tibetan government in India.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.
On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.
After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.
Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.
On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.
After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.
Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 12, 2022
If you’re okay with an Indo-Tibetan bias, an excellent introduction to Buddhism.
October 7, 2022
I was inspired to read more after hearing some stories about the Dalai Lama on a podcast, a truly fascinating person.
This book, free on Audible, is a good guide into Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism in particular. It has a couple of key texts and interpretations along with some illuminating Q&A snippets.
It is clear and concise but not exactly what I was looking for. It highlights the Religious aspects of what I often thought of as a philosophy, it's clear to me now how it is a religion with a strong philosophical core.
Insightful, yet some of the mystical elements passed me by, as did some of the 'context' explaining some unsavory aspects like how it is considered a blessing to be born a man ! haha.
I will read more on the man himself I think that is what interested me, and keep meditating I do see the benefits of that.
This book, free on Audible, is a good guide into Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism in particular. It has a couple of key texts and interpretations along with some illuminating Q&A snippets.
It is clear and concise but not exactly what I was looking for. It highlights the Religious aspects of what I often thought of as a philosophy, it's clear to me now how it is a religion with a strong philosophical core.
Insightful, yet some of the mystical elements passed me by, as did some of the 'context' explaining some unsavory aspects like how it is considered a blessing to be born a man ! haha.
I will read more on the man himself I think that is what interested me, and keep meditating I do see the benefits of that.
April 4, 2018
Too complex
I would recommend this book only if you are well educated in buddhism. Otherwise you will be confused all the time and will be hard to follow. There is mention of a lot of terminology, ancestral masters, explanations of multiple buddhist texts, and prayers. Overall difficult to follow.
I would recommend this book only if you are well educated in buddhism. Otherwise you will be confused all the time and will be hard to follow. There is mention of a lot of terminology, ancestral masters, explanations of multiple buddhist texts, and prayers. Overall difficult to follow.
October 20, 2021
Listened to this one as a freebie from Audible. It took about a month for me to get through it as I kept going back and re-listening to parts to try to understand them. Also I took notes on the important points and lists that I wanted to remember. It's deep. Would recommend in physical book format first to keep as a reference along with the texts being summarized. Thoroughly enjoyed the questions asked of the Dalai Lama at the end of each chapter. The answers were so smart, thoughtful and sometimes funny. His wish is for us all to try to be warm hearted people dedicating our existence(s) to the benefit of others. So pure and simple. 🙏🏼
January 12, 2023
Thoughts:
Honestly was pretty excited to read this book. Came highly recommend. I did like it. It offered a different prospective that a lot of western ideas. It also dove into meditation which is something I enjoyed. I really didn't have the background necessary to be reading such a book so I actually almost didn't get past the first chapter which I recommend skipping if you don't have lots of background on the topic. Solid book overall. I learned some things and don't regret reading it.
What I Liked About It:
I liked how it specifically addressed the steps that you need to take and that it was truly a guide. I enjoyed that it was written by the Dali Lama which means it expresses a profound understanding of the topics and even though they became burdensome a some point I did enjoy the high level analysis of the topics as well as the frequent references to other masters and previous teachings. The logical approach to buddhism is fascinating and very different than the faith that many other religions rely on.
What I Didn't Like About It:
It was someone what hard to understand because of the wording of somethings. Granted the topics discussed in the book are hard to understand and hard to explain. It requires a lot of background to fully understand and the first chapter is rough to get through if you don't have that background.
Who Would Like It?:
People seeking to be on the path to enlightenment or someone very interested in buddhism with a good background.
Honestly was pretty excited to read this book. Came highly recommend. I did like it. It offered a different prospective that a lot of western ideas. It also dove into meditation which is something I enjoyed. I really didn't have the background necessary to be reading such a book so I actually almost didn't get past the first chapter which I recommend skipping if you don't have lots of background on the topic. Solid book overall. I learned some things and don't regret reading it.
What I Liked About It:
I liked how it specifically addressed the steps that you need to take and that it was truly a guide. I enjoyed that it was written by the Dali Lama which means it expresses a profound understanding of the topics and even though they became burdensome a some point I did enjoy the high level analysis of the topics as well as the frequent references to other masters and previous teachings. The logical approach to buddhism is fascinating and very different than the faith that many other religions rely on.
What I Didn't Like About It:
It was someone what hard to understand because of the wording of somethings. Granted the topics discussed in the book are hard to understand and hard to explain. It requires a lot of background to fully understand and the first chapter is rough to get through if you don't have that background.
Who Would Like It?:
People seeking to be on the path to enlightenment or someone very interested in buddhism with a good background.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2020
This book is the expounding of two short Buddhist texts. The Dalai Lama talks at length about these texts and at the end of each chapter there are a couple questions from the audience.
I haven't been able to figure out why but I struggled through this book. I think it may be because when I read this it felt more like religious dogma than a spiritual writing. However, when I read just the two texts from the book I found it to be much more rewarding.
I haven't been able to figure out why but I struggled through this book. I think it may be because when I read this it felt more like religious dogma than a spiritual writing. However, when I read just the two texts from the book I found it to be much more rewarding.
April 17, 2018
Amazing
It's a great book as it covers almost all teaching of Buddhism and shows how to practice them systematically. This book can be used by both beginners and advanced practiciners.
It's a great book as it covers almost all teaching of Buddhism and shows how to practice them systematically. This book can be used by both beginners and advanced practiciners.
February 25, 2020
Very interesting but I don’t plan on becoming a Buddhist monk.
It def helped me deepen my understanding of emptiness which I'm sure it will help me through the first of the four forms of concentration
Release samsara 👌🏼🙏🏼
It def helped me deepen my understanding of emptiness which I'm sure it will help me through the first of the four forms of concentration
Release samsara 👌🏼🙏🏼
November 21, 2017
"Om Mane Padme Hum"
Lest we forget: His Holiness Geshe Thubten, The Dalai Lama XIV, is a very insightful spiritual teacher. This book provides further proof of his eloquence. Highly recommended!
Lest we forget: His Holiness Geshe Thubten, The Dalai Lama XIV, is a very insightful spiritual teacher. This book provides further proof of his eloquence. Highly recommended!
August 12, 2018
Dharma teachings of Atisha and Tsongkapa.
September 5, 2018
Anything by the Dali Lama is worth reading.
September 4, 2020
What an amazing man.
July 18, 2021
I thought it was similar to the book of joy but this was a bit confusing if you are not familiar with Buddhism.
January 28, 2022
I've read other books by HHDL and they were great but fairly secular. This book is very much about Buddhist practice, in particular, the teaching of Lama Tsong Khapa
Want to read
November 22, 2022I ran out of time to listen to this for free on audible and it was for the best as I’m not quite sure it was the right time for me and this one.
February 15, 2017
Succinct, clear and relevant overview of the whole Buddhist path. This book would be helpful for someone looking to learn about the practice or review what they have already learned. Reading through it slowly and reflecting on the content always offers me a refreshed outlook and renewed inspiration.
November 30, 2015
A very fine commentary on an important text. The material is presented in a very clear and systematic manner. It will bear re-reading.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
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