Commentary on Precious Garland

Recommend, review and discuss dharma books here.
Post Reply
Nicholas Weeks
Posts: 4209
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:21 am
Location: California

Commentary on Precious Garland

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Perhaps I missed other full commentaries, but this extensive one, based on Gyeltsap Je's, by Khensur Jampa Tegchok is the only one on Nagarjuna's wonderful teachings to the King. It just arrived, so I can only say all the root verses are there in the 400 plus pages. The Khensur's teachings were given in 1989 in France.

Looks delightful!

http://www.wisdompubs.org/book/practica ... -emptiness
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
Nicholas Weeks
Posts: 4209
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:21 am
Location: California

Re: Commentary on Precious Garland

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Now a bit further into this, it reminds me that while the Bodhisattva's Friendly Letter is still the best primer for Mahayana aspirants, when one wishes to go deeper, his Precious Garland is exceptional. It is longer, more thorough in subjects covered and wise, as one would expect from this Bodhisattva.

My favorite part was near the end where he gives the 20 or so bodhisattva vows to use and ponder on.

The late Khensur Jampa Tegchok was a marvelous lama. So get a copy of this teaching, print or e-book package!
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
Nicholas Weeks
Posts: 4209
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:21 am
Location: California

Re: Commentary on Precious Garland

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Here is a sample from the Khensur's comments on verse 3 of Nagarjuna, page 18:
3. That [vessel] first [practices] the Dharma of higher rebirth;
afterward comes the highest good,
because, having obtained higher rebirth,
one proceeds in stages to the highest good.


Higher rebirth and highest good are taught in this order because it is very
difficult to attain highest good without having first secured a higher rebirth.
The purification, collection of merit, and study, contemplation, and meditation
on the teachings that are needed in order to attain liberation or
awakening require a series of higher rebirths to complete. If we practice
the various types of virtuous activities to the best of our ability in this life,
we will be able to secure a higher rebirth again in our next life.

The idea is to continue like this over a series of lives as we cultivate the
qualities of sharp intelligence, enthusiasm, profound wisdom, great altruism,
and so on. We do this by first learning and practicing the foundational
topics—impermanence, refuge, and karma and its effects. As we mature
in the Dharma, we learn and practice the more difficult topics such as
emptiness. In this way we gradually come to attain the highest good. Thus,
creating the causes for higher rebirth is our immediate concern. If we fall
into lower realms, we will not only suffer, we will also have no opportunity
to progress along the path to liberation and awakening.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
Post Reply

Return to “Book Reviews”