lam-rim

To get back to my point, at the beginning of the Gelug lam-rim are preliminaries and the relationship with the spiritual teacher.

Comparison of the "Dharma-Lite" and "Real Thing Dharma" Versions of Lam-rim 2009

I think the emphasis really has to be on developing the aim of each level of lam-rim motivation very sincerely from our hearts, one at a time, in progressive order, without pretending that we have a more advanced level of motivation when in fact we do not.

Comparison of the "Dharma-Lite" and "Real Thing Dharma" Versions of Lam-rim 2009

What gives it away even more is that in the discussion of seeing the teacher as a Buddha, the lam-rim texts quote tantras.

Comparison of the "Dharma-Lite" and "Real Thing Dharma" Versions of Lam-rim 2009

The unique advantage of the lam-rim presentation of graded stages of the path is that it has an initial level of motivation, which is working to benefit future lives as a stepping-stone for working for liberation and then enlightenment.

Comparison of the "Dharma-Lite" and "Real Thing Dharma" Versions of Lam-rim 2009

We should not think that the lam-rim is the exclusive way of presenting the material contained in it; there are many other ways of presenting the same teachings.

Comparison of the "Dharma-Lite" and "Real Thing Dharma" Versions of Lam-rim 2009

We could go through all of the lam-rim teachings with a Dharma-Lite or even an initial level motivation.

Comparison of the "Dharma-Lite" and "Real Thing Dharma" Versions of Lam-rim 2009

In short, through study and actual meditative experience, we become clear about the nine stages of settling the mind as explained in the lam-rim teachings concerning the graded stages of the path.

4 Meditation on the Conventional Nature of Mind 2009

So, the lam-rim was given as a review of the basic sutra teachings for committed monks who were about to take tantric empowerment.

Comparison of the "Dharma-Lite" and "Real Thing Dharma" Versions of Lam-rim 2009

If we translate the four thoughts that turn the mind to the Dharma into the lam-rim context, we can see that they start with the intermediate level motivation: with renunciation, working for liberation.

Comparison of the "Dharma-Lite" and "Real Thing Dharma" Versions of Lam-rim 2009

As a further aside, there is something I think can be helpful that I need to point out about Pabongka Rinpoche's version of lam-rim, as written down by his disciple Trijang Rinpoche.

Comparison of the "Dharma-Lite" and "Real Thing Dharma" Versions of Lam-rim 2009