There is nothing here that has not been explained before
And I have no skill in the art of rhetoric;
Therefore... I write this in order to acquaint it to my mind….
If, however, these words are seen by others...
...it may be meaningful for them.
- Shantideva, Bodhisattvacharyavatara, I(2,3)
And I have no skill in the art of rhetoric;
Therefore... I write this in order to acquaint it to my mind….
If, however, these words are seen by others...
...it may be meaningful for them.
- Shantideva, Bodhisattvacharyavatara, I(2,3)
The best way to help someone is to guide their thoughts towards spiritual teachings.
- Atisha (982-1054), in Wisdom of the Kadam Masters
- Atisha (982-1054), in Wisdom of the Kadam Masters
Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your minds....
- Romans 12:2
but be transformed by the renewing of your minds....
- Romans 12:2
When the 14th Dalai Lama and many skilled Tibetan teachers became refugees in the late 1950s, they brought with them the lam rim, or "Stepwise Path." This path helps develop bodhicitta - the "Awakening Mind" filled with love, compassion, and wisdom. Starting with the basic realities of life, the lam rim motivates and equips us to gradually replace harmful thoughts and words with positive actions. Each step on this path builds upon the previous one, guiding us towards spiritual growth.
Over a lifetime's spiritual journey, I've found the lam rim to be a reliable guide to a synthesis of Buddhist and Christian wisdom, and the incorporation of that wisdom into a transformed way of life.
In grateful remembrance of Gelek Rimpoche and all my spiritual benefactors,this offering is dedicated to you, dear Reader,
with the sincere hope that it may prove to be meaningful for you.
- Jim Christensen