The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Volume 3) (The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path, the Lamrim Chenmo)

This volume contains a presentation of the two most important topics to be found in the Great Treatise: meditative serenity and supramundane insight into the nature of reality. Library Journal Volume 3 of this central work of Mahayana Buddhism by Tibetan Master Tsong-kha-pa covers, in great detail, the topics of meditative serenity and insight into the nature of reality. It is appearing in translation before Volume 2 because the translation committee believed that currently there is a strong interest in these topics. The release of Volume 2 next fall will conclude the translation (Volume 1 was reviewed in LJ 10/15/00) and mark the first complete appearance in English of this important text. The appearance of Volume 3 is indeed timely, but only the most serious students of Buddhism will have the patience for its complexities. Still, the style of logical argument will be familiar to readers of Western philosophy, and readers with some experience of meditation will welcome the great attention given to the explication of pitfalls, nuance, and misunderstanding that attend serious Buddhist practice. Ultimately, this is a classic of religious thought and is essential for libraries with a demonstrated interest in Buddhism or comparative religion. It should also be considered for all larger research collections and public libraries.-Mark Woodhouse, Elmira Coll., NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information. The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lam rim chen mo) is one of the brightest jewels in the world's treasury of sacred literature. The author Tsong-kha-pa (13571419) completed this masterpiece in 1402 and it soon became one of the most renowned works of spiritual practice and philosophy in the world of Tibetan Buddhism. Tsong-kha-pa took great pains to base his incisive insights on the classical Indian Buddhist literature, illustrating his points with classical citations as well as with sayings of the masters of the earlier Kadampa tradition. In this way, the text demonstrates clearly how Tibetan Buddhism carefully preserved and developed the Indian Buddhist traditions. Volume One covers all practices that are prerequisite for developing the spirit of enlightenment (bodhicitta). Volume Two explains how to train in the six perfections in order to develop the heart of compassion indispensable for any student who wants to put the Dharma into practice. Volume Three contains a presentation of the two most important topics to be found in the Great Treatise: meditative serenity (shamatha) and supramundane insight into the nature of reality (vipasyana).