The Three Principal Aspects of the Path: An Oral Teaching

by Geshe Sonam Rinchen

The wish for freedom, the altruistic intention to be of ultimate benefit to others, and the wisdom realizing emptiness constitute the three principal aspects of the path to enlightenment, three insights that form the indispensable support for all the practices of both sutra and tantra. Having recognized that any state within cyclic existence involves suffering,the practitioner develops a strong wish for freedom. But to cut the root of cyclic existence it is necessary to know how things exists at the most fundamental level. Even if one has turned away from the causes of suffering and gained an undistorted understanding of reality, supreme enlightenment will remain out of reach without the altruistic intention to act selflessly for the good and happiness of all living beings. In this teaching, Geshe Sonam Rinchen explains in clear and readily accessible terms Je Tsongkhapa's (1357-1419) short text on these three principal aspects of the path. This engaging exposition of the essential steps to enlightenment will be appreciated both by those with no previous exposure to Buddhism and by these who wish to undertake the practices of tantra, for which at least a sound understanding of these three is essential.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 1999

Reviews

[Kamakana · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you like this review, i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com

230605: clear, concise, captivating. this is written in english 1999 ce from an ancient Indic text ca. 1300 ce, referring of course to yet earlier buddhist texts -000 ce. it is an oral lecture as written down. it is perhaps nothing particularly new or surprising but is well organised and the voice reveals depth of insight, scholarship, reading...

Tsonghapa begins with prologue that offers metaphors for how to approach teachings: three correct receptions- pot not being upside-down, pot not having hole in it, pot not being polluted. this last is divided into six of pot attitude in accepting teachings (consider self as sick person, respect mentor as physician, respect dharma as medicine, take treatment as offered, see enlightened ones as excellent beings, hold in heart wish teachings remain in world for long time). this is followed by brief biography of author of verses The Three Principle Aspects of the Path. Tsongkhapa is born in 1537 in Tibet, studied years, built four mentioned deeds, wrote the short text- which is in Sanskrit in one appendix, English in another appendix...

Tsonghapa begins then introduction of close inspection of the named work, beginning with necessary dedication, relating to the spiritual teacher is more than reading buddhist texts, then the first of three 1) strong wish for freedom then 2) altruistic desire to unburden all other sentient creatures then 3) recognition of truth of emptiness. now he talks of how fortunate we are (born human, born healthy, born with buddhist teachings in action or presence etc.)...

now Tsonghapa covers principle aspect 1) strong wish for freedom: the fetters, thirst for pleasure, life is fleeting, action and their consequences, our true condition, the thought of liberation...

now Tsonghapa covers principle aspect 2) altruistic intention: predicament of sentient creatures, levelling the ground, radical shift...

now Tsonghapa covers principle aspect 3) correct view: misconceptions, dependence and attribution, appearance and emptiness reconciled...

these are very dense verses, fruitfully ambiguous, following Mahayana buddhist thought, that makes me think of The Vimalakirti Sutra, Buddhism: A Philosophical Approach and The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nāgārjuna's Mūlamadhyamakakārikā. and any book that connects to another book is five for me...

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[WndyJW · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple, beautiful teaching on developing Great Compassion, developing the wish to free from the cycle of birth-death-rebirth, and understanding Emptiness which are the three principles on the path to Enlightenment.

[Mckinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear commentary on the 14 stanza root text of Ksongkhapa.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wish for freedom, altruistic intention, and wisdom realizing emptiness, major teachings of Je Tsongkhapa, explained. Again. For us people who can’t remember anything. Recommended.

[r0b · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very accessible. The chapter on Correct View, or emptiness, really great.