Dates for Part 2: Wednesdays, May 13 – August 19

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The genre of teachings known as the Stages of the Path (Tibetan: lamrim) represents a synthesis of the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment as set out in the Mahayana scriptures. Among the many texts in this genre, Lama Tsongkhapa’s Middle Length Lamrim is a comprehensive and straightforward presentation of the essential instructions that support the progressive stages of meditation and practice leading to the attainment of Buddhahood. Easy to understand and apply in meditation, these teachings establish a foundation and context for daily spiritual practice within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment is taught in four sequential parts.

Part Two: Traversing the Common Ground (The Small and Intermediate Levels)

In order to travel the path to enlightenment, the journey begins by navigating the first two levels of the Stages of the Path which are shared with those who seek the goals of higher rebirth and individual liberation. The first level is that shared with the person of small capacity, which initially involves realizing the reality of death and impermanence, as well as the possible states of suffering that could occur in future lives. With awareness of those subjects, a reliable refuge that can provide protection from such suffering is sought, and with faith in the Buddha’s teachings on karma, the law of cause and effect, such safe direction to a favorable rebirth is provided. The next level, that shared with the person of intermediate capacity, encompasses becoming cognizant of the Buddha’s teachings regarding the process by which we enter into samsara (the cycle of existence) and attain nirvana (the cessation of all suffering and dissatisfaction). Meditation on these teachings is used as a means to induce the mind of renunciation that strives to emerge from the unsatisfactory situation of cyclic existence and proceed to the peaceful state of liberation.

Part Three: Striving for Enlightenment (The Great Level, First Section)

To enter the third and final level of the Stages of the Path, that of the person of great capacity who has the highest goal of complete enlightenment, it is essential to generate bodhichitta, the mind that aspires to that aim through the development of boundless compassion and love for all beings along with an altruistic intention to benefit them. With bodhichitta, the focus is then placed on engaging in the bodhisattva’s deeds – primarily the| six perfections of generosity, ethical discipline, patience, joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom – that support progress towards the result of buddhahood.

Part Four: Realizing Supreme Wisdom (The Great Level, Second Section)

For the attainment of complete enlightenment, it is crucial that the last two of the bodhisattva’s six perfections – concentration and wisdom – be brought to their culmination. To accomplish this, a thorough examination of the stages for developing concentration and acquiring an understanding of the most profound wisdom teachings of the Buddha is needed. With an understanding of how to unite these two forces, the bodhisattva can then cut through all obstacles and accomplish supreme enlightenment.

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