Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment by Atiśa. I, the Elder Śrī Dīpaṁkara, having seen (everything to be) as is explained from the Dharma teachings of the Sūtras and so on, and having been requested by Changchub Ö, have composed this abbreviation of the explanation of the path to Enlightenment. This concludes A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment composed by the Great Master Dīpaṁkara

When Venerable Atiśa came to Tibet he first went to Ngari, where he remained for 3 years. After 3 years had passed he decided to return to India, and Changchub Ö requested him to give one last teaching before he left. Atiśa replied that he had already given them all the advice they needed, but Changchub Ö persisted in his request and so Atiśa accepted

A Bodhisattva’s Garland of Gems by Atiśa. Let me dedicate to great peerless Enlightenment as many constructive acts as I've amassed throughout the 3 times, and extend out to limited beings my positive force. The gem of belief in fact, the gem of ethical self-discipline, the gem of generosity, the gem of listening, the gems of care and the gem of discriminating awareness make 7.

The Life of Atiśa | Full: in 4 parts. 1. Childhood and Renunciation of Princely Life. When Atiśa was 18 months old, his parents held his first public audience at the local temple. Without any instruction, he prostrated to the venerable objects inside. As Atiśa grew older, his wish to become a mendicant monk increased ever stronger, but his parents had different expectations. Atiśa left

The Life of Atiśa | Full: in 4 parts. 2. Studies in India and the Golden Isle. Atiśa immediately ran back to his master Avadhutipa and now, from the age of 21 to 25, studied intensively the Madhyamaka middle way outlook of reality. During this period, Atiśa also studied with many other highly accomplished teachers and became extremely well versed in all systems of tantra

The Life of Atiśa | Full: in 4 parts. 3. Inviting Atiśa to Tibet. After Atiśa’s return to India, he protected and upheld the Buddha’s Dharma by 3 times defeating in formal debate non-Buddhist extremists. His fame spread throughout India: Because of his compassion and insight, he was revered as the Crowning Jewel of the erudite masters. He conferred the greatest benefit, however, on the

The Life of Atiśa | Full: in 4 parts. 4. Reforming and Revitalizing the Dharma in Tibet. Thus, at the age of 53, Atiśa set out on the long journey to the Land of Snow. After 2 years of travel, the party finally arrived in Upper Tibet at the city of Ngari, the capital of Yeshe-Ö’s kingdom. The householders and the monks formed a grand