Atisha, the eleventh-century Indian Buddhist scholar and saint, came to Tibet and initiated the period of the second transmission" of Buddhism there, formative for the Sakya, Kagyu and Gelug traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
Atisha summarized all the Buddhist scriptures in his book which is the root text for the Lamrim Tradition . The
Lamp of the Path divides beings spiritual perspectives into three levels: beginning, intermediate, and highest. Based on that division, the
Lamp of the Path shows how to begin, explaining the main activities and emphasis of that initial stage. When that is fully developed and a practitioner reaches the intermediate level, the
Lamp of the Path describes the meditations and emphasis at that stage. Finally, it describes the practice of the highest beings, the Mahayanists. Of theses three levels, the first two merely emphasize how an individual can be liberated from an impure life, while the third emphasizes liberating others.
Geshe Sonam Rinchen draws out Atisha's meaning with warmth and wit, bringing the light of this age-old wisdom into the modern world.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche will be teaching on this text for two weeks every year. These teachings are accessible in video format on the FPMT Media Center website. Preliminary course material for the ongoing Light of the Path Online Program is also available on the FPMT Online Learning Center.
Click here to learn about the Online Learning Center.
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