12 The Abbreviated Points of the Graded Path The Abbreviated Points of the Graded Path 1

The Abbreviated Points

of the Graded Path
Lam-rim bsdus-don
by Lama Tsong Khapa
Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
Education Services
translated by Alex Berzin
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In order to accustom my mind (to these stages of the path)
And also to benefit others of good fortune,
I have explained here in easily understandable words
The Abbreviated Points of the The complete path that is pleasing to the buddhas.
I pray that, by this constructive act, may all limited beings
Never be parted from this pure and excellent path.
Graded Path The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.
Lam-rim bsdus-don If you would also seek liberation,
Please cultivate yourself in the same way.
1
I prostrate before you, foremost of the Shakya Clan.
Your body is born from a host of positive actions
and splendid attainments,
Your speech grants the wishes of limitless beings.
Your mind sees all knowables just as they are.
2
I prostrate before you, Maitreya and Manjushri,
Supreme spiritual sons of this peerless teacher.
Accepting the mantle (to enact) the full set of triumphant ones deeds,
You display emanations in countless worlds.
3
Before your feet, I prostrate, Nagarjuna and Asanga, Colophon:
(Gems) adorning the Southern Continent. This concludes The Abbreviated Points of the Graded Path to Enlightenment, compiled in brief so
Celebrated throughout the three realms, that they may not be forgotten. It has been written at Ganden Namgyel Monastery on the
You have commented on the most difficult to fathom Great Drog Mountain (Tibet) by the Buddhist monk, (Tsongkhapa) Lozang dragpa, a medi-
tator who has heard many teachings.
Mother of the Triumphant (The Prajnaparamita Sutra),
In perfect accord with its intended meaning. It has been translated into English, in its prayer form, in Berlin, Germany, January 2001, by
Alexander Berzin.
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Those who, seeing this, enthusiastically work to actualize
a state of mind
4
That is jointly stilled and settled and exceptionally perceptive are truly I bow before you, Dipamkara (Atisha),
remarkable. Holder of a fortune of instructions,
Which encapsulate in full and without a mistake,
The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that. The essential points of the paths of profound view
If you too would seek liberation, and extensive behavior,
Please cultivate yourself in the same way. In excellent lineage from these two outstanding pioneers.
23 5
Having meditated both on space-like voidness during total absorption Respectfully, I prostrate before you, my spiritual mentors,
And on illusion-like voidness as the subsequent realization, Eyes for beholding all the infinite scriptures,
Combining the two as awareness and method Superlative ford for the fortunate to cross to liberation.
Is acclaimed as going to the far shore of bodhisattva conduct. You clarify everything through skillful means,
From this realization, being discontent with (achieving) a one-sided prompted by your loving-concern.
pathway of mind
Is the tradition of those with good fortune (to attain enlightenment).
6
The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that. The stages of the path to enlightenment have passed down intact
If you too would seek liberation, Through successive generations from Nagarjuna and Asanga,
Please cultivate yourself in the same way. The crown jewels of all erudite masters of the Southern Continent,
And the banner of whose fame flies gloriously
above the wandering masses.
24 As (following the stages) can fulfill, without an exception,
The causal and resultant Mahayana vehicles travel in common The desired spiritual aims of the nine types of rebirth,
These pathways of mind as requirements for (reaching) the supreme They constitute a power-granting king of precious instruction.
pathway (enlightenment). Because they gather within them the streams of myriad excellent classics,
The more that you increasingly enhance these (stages of the path), They comprise a veritable ocean
The more your attainment of (rebirth with) respites and endowments of all-around perfect, correct explanation.
Becomes meaningful and effective (for reaching enlightenment)
By depending on navigational guidance from tantric masters,
Embarking on the vast ocean of tantra, 7
And healthily relying on their full guideline instructions. You understand all Buddhas teachings with no contradictions.
The scriptural pronouncements, without an exception,
The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that. dawn on your mind as personal guidelines.
If you too would seek liberation, You easily discover the Triumphant Ones intended meanings.
Please cultivate yourself in the same way. They protect you from the abyss of the great misdeed
(of forsaking the Dharma).
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Because of these (benefits), what scrutinizing persons among the erudite And is renowned as the most brilliant lamp for dispelling
masters of India and Tibet the darkness of naivety.
Will not have their minds enraptured by the stages of the path Realizing this, those who are wise and who wish liberation
of three spiritual scopes, Make every effort to enhance this pathway-mind.
The supreme instructions to which many fortunate ones
have relied upon fully. The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.
If you too would seek liberation,
Please cultivate yourself in the same way.
8
Although (positive potential accrues) from reciting or hearing even once 21
(Atishas) manner (of text) that fully encompasses Single-pointed constancy of mind, on its own, lacks the perception
The essential points of all scriptural pronouncements, That is able to sever the root of samsara.
Even greater waves of massive benefit, for certain, build up Discriminating awareness, parted from a stilled and settled
From actually teaching or studying the sacred Dharma (contained within). pathway of mind,
Therefore, consider the points (for doing this properly). Cannot reverse disturbing emotions and attitudes,
no matter how much it analytically discerns.
But, when the discriminating awareness that can be totally decisive
9 about how things exist
A healthy relation, (worked on) with effort in thought and action, Mounts the horse of an unwaveringly stilled and settled mind,
With a holy spiritual mentor who indicates the path And, with the lance of Madhyamaka logic, devoid of extremes,
Is the root most appropriate for the dependent arising Analytically discerns (voidness) correctly,
Of the hugest networks (of potential and awareness) destroying all underlying assumptions
for this and future lives. that would support any grasping for extremist views,
Seeing this, then (having taken the safe direction of refuge), That wide-ranging discriminating awareness expands the intelligence
Please (your mentors) by offering practice So that it realizes the actual way (in which everything exists).
That accords with their enlightening words,
Which you would not forsake even at the cost of your life. The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.
If you too would seek liberation,
The ever-vigilant lama (Tsongkhapa) has practiced like that. Please cultivate yourself in the same way.
If you too would seek liberation,
Please cultivate yourself in the same way.
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Mentally abiding on how everything exists, unwaveringly,
10 with total stability,
This working basis (of a human life) with (eight) respites While also (applying) the individualizing inspection that analytically
Is far more precious than a wish-granting gem. discerns (voidness) correctly
(A rebirth) like this is gained perhaps only once. What need to mention that it actualizes absorbed concentration
Hard to acquire and easily lost, (it passes in a flash) through habituation with single-pointedness of mind,
like lightning in the sky. It increasingly enhances that absorbed concentration.
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The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.. Considering (your precious human life) in these ways
If you too would seek liberation, And realizing that (engaging in) any worldly activities
Please cultivate yourself in the same way. Is like trying to winnow (something meaningful from) chaff,
You must try to take the essence of life at all times, day and night.
18 The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.
Once you suit up with the armor of resolute, If you too would seek liberation,
unswayable positive enthusiasm, Please cultivate yourself in the same way.
Your proficiency in scriptural understanding and in realization grow full
like the waxing moon.
Your entire mode of behavior takes on meaningful purpose,
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And you bring whatever you start to its intended conclusion. After death, there is no assurance of avoiding
Realizing this, bodhisattvas exert great waves of positive enthusiasm, one of the worst rebirth forms.
Washing away all laziness. Yet, it is certain that the Three Supreme Gems provide safe direction
away from any dread (of this fate).
The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that. For these reasons, be extremely steadfast in taking their safe direction
If you too would seek liberation, in life
Please cultivate yourself in the same way. And unrelenting in following their points for training.
(Success in not falling) further depends on considering well
Which types of impulsive behavior are noble or dark,
19 and what are their results,
Mental constancy is the king wielding power over the mind. Then living by adopting (the former) and avoiding (the latter).
When you fix it, it remains immovable like a mighty Mount Meru.
When you project it, it fully engages in any constructive aim. The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.
It induces the exhilarating bliss of feeling physically and mentally fit. If you too would seek liberation,
Realizing this, yogis with (mental) control continuously rely on Please cultivate yourself in the same way.
absorbed concentration, in a healthy manner,
Overcoming their enemy, mental distraction. (12)
The fullest strides in actualizing the supreme paths will not come about
The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that. Until attaining as a working basis (a precious human life) with a full set
If you too would seek liberation, of (eight) definitional factors.
Please cultivate yourself in the same way. Therefore, train in their causal (constructive acts),
So that you will not be lacking in any of these (factors).
As it is utterly essential to cleanse your three channels
20 Of tarnishes from stains of negative potentials
Discriminating awareness is the eye for beholding profound (voidness), and from downfalls (from vows),
the actual way (in which everything exists). And especially (to purge them of) obstacles from karma,
It is the pathway of mind for extracting Cherish healthy and continual reliance
the root of compulsive existence. on a full set of four opponent forces.
It is the treasure of genius praised in all the scriptural pronouncements
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The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that. It is the sharpest weapon to sever the knot of stinginess.
If you too would seek liberation, It leads to bodhisattva conduct that enhances
Please cultivate yourself in the same way. self-confidence and courage,
And is the basis for universal proclamation of your fame and repute.
Realizing this, the wise rely, in a healthy manner,
13 on the outstanding path
Without working hard at pondering true problems and their drawbacks, Of (being ever-willing) to offer completely their bodies, possessions,
You will not properly gain keen interest in liberation (from them). and positive potentials.
Without considering the stages whereby (true) origins of suffering
draw you into samsara, The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.
You will not see the means for cutting the root of this vicious circle. If you too would seek liberation,
Therefore, relish knowing the factors that bind you to this wheel, Please cultivate yourself in the same way.
Exuding disgust, and becoming determined to leave such existence.
The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.
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If you too would seek liberation, Ethical discipline is the water to wash away the stains of misdeeds.
Please cultivate yourself in the same way. It is the ray of moonlight to cool the scorching heat of disturbing
emotions.
(With it, you stand out) amidst the nine kinds of beings, radiant like a
14 Mount Meru.
Developing and enhancing bodhichitta is the bedrock for the Supreme By its power, you bend all beings (to your positive influence)
Vehicles paths. without (need for) mesmerizing stares.
It is the basis and foundation for great waves of enlightening conduct. Realizing this, the holy ones safeguard, as they would their eyes,
Like an elixir for transmuting into gold, (it transfigures into enlightening The vowed discipline that they have accepted purely.
features)
all aspects of the two networks (of potentials and awareness). The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.
It (builds up, day and night) a treasure of positive potential, If you too would seek liberation,
amassed from an endless array of constructive acts. Please cultivate yourself in the same way.
Realizing this, bodhisattvas take this supreme precious mind
as their innermost bond.
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The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that. Patience (not to become angry or upset) is the best adornment for those
If you too would seek liberation, holding power,
Please cultivate yourself in the same way. And the perfect ascetic practice for those tormented by disturbing
emotions.
It is the high-soaring eagle as the enemy of the snake of hostility,
15 And the thickest armor against the sharp weapons of abusive words.
Total willingness to give is the wish-granting gem for fulfilling the hopes Realizing this, (the wise) accustom themselves,
of wandering beings. in various ways and forms,
To (wearing) the padding of supreme patience.