The Third Dalai Lama's Refined Gold & Shantideva's Guide; 4th-March-2007 (Day 1 of 9; Morning) - Dalai Lama Audio Teachings on Tibetan Buddhism Podcast

Summary: His Holiness the Dalai Lama begins his Spring teachings for 2007 by introducing the texts: Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life is one of the fundamental sources for instructions on how to generate the awakening mind of bodhichitta. It is held in equally high esteem by all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment known as Essence of Refined Gold by Sonam Gyatso, the 3rd Dalai Lama also contains an account of how to generate the awakening mind and engage in the six perfections, while also outlining the structure of the path. His Holiness received a pivotal explanation of Shantideva�s text in the 60s from Khunnu Lama Rinpoche, Tenzin Gyaltsen, who had heard it from Dza Patrul Rinpoche. He also heard Essence of Refined Gold from another Kinnauri, Geshe Rigzin Tenpa. His Holiness reminds his listeners that the Buddha explained that suffering is the result of ignorance and will be overcome when ignorance is overcome by wisdom. As a mark of the importance of wisdom, he begins his explanation of the Guide with Chapter 9, the Wisdom chapter. Turning to the Essence of Refined Gold he discusses the qualities of a spiritual teacher, praising the example of a Lama called Namtso Ramjam, who made three pledges: not to eat meat, not to ride any animal and not to take any payment for any teaching he gave.