The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings

by Gampopa, Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche (Translator), Ani K. Chodron (Editor)

A masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism—providing the complete foundation for study and practice—from beginning to Buddhahood. Includes teachings on Buddha-nature, finding the spiritual master, impermanence, karma, cultivation of bodhicitta, development of the six perfections, the ten bodhisattva bhumis, Buddhahood, and the activities of the Buddha.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion, Philosophy, Meditation, Nonfiction, Reference

484 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1100

About the author

Gampopa Sönam Rinchen (Tib. སྒམ་པོ་པ་བསོད་ནམས་རིན་ཆེན་, Wyl. sgam po pa bsod nams rin chen) (1079–1153/9) after first training as a physician (hence his epithet Dakpo Lharje (Tib. དྭགས་པོ་ལྷ་རྗེ་, Wyl. dwags po lha rje), the Physician of Dakpo), became the principle student of the yogi Jetsun Milarepa. He went on to integrate the Kadampa teachings of Atīśa, which he had studied previously, with the Mahamudra system of Tilopa, which he received from Milarepa, to establish the Dakpo Kagyu branches of the Kagyu school descending from Milarepa's guru .

Reviews

[Ermina Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential Buddhist reading. Especially useful is the commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. For those who are familiar with Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, you'll know that he doesn't offer translations and slight interpretations of the essential texts. He lives and breathes them into digestible, pithy, core instructions that penetrate the heart and mind at once.

[Michael Kilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a Buddhist practitioner this is one of those books that will require many hours of rereading passages. Some of the references and ideas are definitely bound in Tibetan culture, but for a study of Tibetan Buddhism on a deep level, this book is worth a read.

[Kitap · Rating 4 out of 5]

In all his studies, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is one of the texts that Khenpo [Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche, the translator of this edition] found to be most inspiring. Lord Gampopa lays out the teachings in a clear and systematic way that is understandable to beginners. At the same time, the work is of such profound depth that scholars and practitioners can study it over and over and still not fully grasp its meaning. Khenpo Rinpoche has said on several occasions, "Anyone who knows the Jewel Ornament well can say that they really understand Buddhism." (p. 414)

This is a classic text used in the Kagyü lineages of Himalayan Buddhism. Written by Gampopa, the scholarly disciple of Tibet's great yogi Milarepa, this text brings academic, philosophical, and mystical Buddhist perspectives together into one systematized whole. Not exactly summer reading, but a necessary read (and probable re-read) for anyone really interested in how the various Buddhist teachings—whether on karma, the bodhisattva path, or Buddhanature—fit together in the Kagyü context.

"If any doubts or obstacles arise in your mind, look at the different texts which explain how to dispel obstacles and develop devotion for the great lamas. If you aspire to peace and happiness, practice contentment more and desire less. If you aspire to perfect Buddhahood, abide in a solitary place. Recollect repeatedly the suffering of samsara and release attachment to this life. The true lama is your own mind; there is no need to look for another." - Gampopa (p. 331)

"In the future, those who think, 'Alas, I haven't met him' should simply study and practice the texts that I composed: The Precious Jewel Rosary of the Supreme Path, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation—the Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Nobel Teachings, and others. There is no particle of difference; it is the same as meeting me. Those who are having a hard time understanding and practicing the Dharma, think of me and supplicate with devotion. The blessings will arise naturally." - Gampopa (p. 331)

[Elisabeth Silvera Ducasse · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be read and reread

This book is a real Jewel of knowledge to be practiced. Should be read over and over again until attaining enlightenment!

[Katilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this little by little over several months. Just a few pages every day and lots of contemplation. I imagine that attaining enlightenment will be similar except instead of a few months, it might take a few lifetimes.

Definitely going to need to read it again to more fully understand.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking

[Jim McGurn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive exposition of the Mahayana in friendly language.

[Kent Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

[JD Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best psychological self-help books I have ever read. It won't be easy to follow unless one has acquired a background in Buddhism because the cultural references will otherwise be too obscure. It is very detailed and plain on the surface, but reading for the first time was like opening an algebra book when computing sums was a big achievement at that time. sGam.po.pa took great care to infuse the book with many references to works prevalent at the time he wrote this book, about 800 years ago.

Fortunately for the beginner, there are now many Buddhist centers where one can meet those with experience with the book, and other works, both technical and devotional, that help a person integrate these meditative experiences into daily life. One may also be in a city that has Asian communities with a Buddhist temple. Also, some of the principal reference works in this book now have English translations.

[Gemma Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite amazing scope covered here,and lots and lots to think about! Am really looking forward to my new study group and discussing it in depth. In the meantime will allow it to sink in a bit before writing about it, and will listen to Padmavajra's contributions as well.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most important book I've ever read.

[Stephen Blache · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fundamental introduction to Sutra Mahamudra from one of the yogi Milarepa's most important students. A solid introductory presentation to this tradition.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not for the beginner. For Tibetan Buddhists, it's the equivalent of the Bible for Christians. I'll read it over and over as part of my practice.

[Joe Cyrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely essential for the pragmatic practitioner who wants to really do the work as it should be done. Top 5 Buddhism books that I've read.