The lamrim genre of Tibetan Buddhist texts is a practical and comprehensive way of organizing the Buddha’s teachings into a sequential method of practice leading to the ultimate goal of Enlightenment.  Lamrim is like a map which helps us understand how, why and where the many different concepts and practices we may encounter fit together into a complete Buddhist path.  We know where we are, where we’re going, and how to get there.  It serves as a guide to our own journey, and is itself the inner Buddhist worldview we develop in our own minds, which aids us in overcoming the sufferings of samsara, and in developing the ability to help others do the same.  

The lamrim literature originated with Atisha in the 11th century, was spread by the early Kadampa masters at that time, and different versions developed within all the Tibetan schools. The underlying topics are the same, but the formats vary, emphasizing different points and categories. Thorough grounding in the lamrim topics is the basis for all higher practices, without which they do not lead to the intended result.  Gampopa’s classic, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, combines the Kadampa Lamrim tradition with Naropa’s Mahamudra tradition.  Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen calls it a critically important text to study as a foundation for the three year retreat. It is too lengthy to study in detail here within this short timeframe, but can serve interested students as a valuable expansion on the topics covered in this series.   

An overview of the lamrim will be presented in a sequence of eight talks — a walk on the path through the forest, with out every detail of each individual tree. Discussion and meditation on the topics will be included, and time allowed for questions.  Lamrim is suitable for all levels of students.  

This event is free.

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Ven. Lhundub Daychen is a western Buddhist nun ordained in 1998, who has engaged in study and practice for over 30 years, primarily at the Deer Park Monastery and Buddhist Center near Madison, Wisconsin, and also at the University of Wisconsin.  She has received many teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, HE the Ganden Tri Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin, Geshe Lhundub Sopa Rinpoche, Khensur Donyo Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and other Gelug masters over the years, and more recently from HE the Karmapa, and Mingyur Rinpoche.

Drupon Thinley Ningpo, spiritual director for Drikung Namgyal Ling, has asked Ven. Daychen to give these talks to help deepen our understanding of the path, and she has graciously accepted.