Table of Contents

Illustrations; Acknowledgements; Preface; PART ONE - FOUNDATIONS AND THE INITIAL SCOPE: The Stages of the Path; The Qualities of the Author; The Qualities of the Teaching; Listening to and Teaching Dharma; Preparing for Meditation; What is Meditation?; Relying upon a Spiritual Guide; Our Precious Human Life; Meditation on Death; The Sufferings of the Lower Realms; Going for Refuge; Karma; PART TWO - THE INTERMEDIATE SCOPE: Developing the Wish to Attain Liberation; The Four Noble Truths; Meditation on True Sufferings; Delusions and Actions, Death and Rebirth; The Twelve Dependent-related Links; The Wheel of Life; The Path to Liberation; PART THREE - THE GREAT SCOPE: Entering the Mahayana; Developing Bodhichitta; Engaging in a Bodhisattva's Actions; Training the Mind in Tranquil Abiding; Training the Mind in Superior Seeing; Progressing through the Spiritual Grounds and Paths; The Vajrayana Paths; Full Enlightenment; Dedication; Appendix I - The Condensed Meaning of the Text; Appendix II - Sadhanas: 'Liberating Prayer', 'Essence of Good Fortune', 'Prayers for Meditation; Glossary; Bibliography; Study Programmes of Kadampa Tradition; Tharpa Offices Worldwide; Index

About the Author

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is a fully accomplished meditation master and internationally renowned teacher of Buddhism who has pioneered the introduction of modern Buddhism into contemporary society. He is the author of 22 highly acclaimed books that perfectly transmit the ancient wisdom of Buddhism to our modern world, and which form the basis of several popular study and meditation programmes. He has also founded over 1200 Kadampa Buddhist centres and groups throughout the world.

Reviews

'Geshe Kelsang Gyatso both delights in and has a profound insight into the entire range of the teachings of Buddha. Difficult technical points are rendered into pleasantly readable prose, and the text as a whole is both absorbing and illuminating.' - Tibetan Review; 'This book is invaluable.' - World Religions