Image via Wikipedia ~ Atisha

How He did this in Tibet:

“There is no other pandit who can benefit Tibet,” they said.

The king listened to them…and made it his life’s purpose to bring Atisha to Tibet. Later, after King Lhalama Yeshe had been captured….his nephew visited him.

“If he [Atisha] will see you [Jangchub Oe], give him my message: ‘I gave up my life to the Garlog khan for both the Buddha‘s teachings and your own.” and then….’Nephew, forget about me; think of the Buddha’s teachings!’

After hearing the king’s story…’Atisha then investigated whether it would benefit the Buddha’s teachings if, out of love for his potential Tibetan disciples, he went to Tibet.’

Once Atisha arrived in Tibet , King Jangchub Oe made a request of him….

“Compassionate Atisha,” he said, “for now, do not teach the profoundest and most amazing of Dharmas to your uncivilized disciples of Tibet. I ask that you teach instead the Dharma of the law of cause and effect. Also, may it please the protector to compassionately teach some error-free yet easy-to-practice Dharma, one yourself practice, one that includes the whole path, would be beneficial to Tibetans in general, and encompasses all the intent of the Victorious One’s scriptures — the sutras, tantras, and commentaries.”

How very loving and true the king was. He only wanted the Buddha’s teachings to flourish as they are…not as they had become. His compassionate nature shown through.

‘Atisha was highly pleased by this, and so composed the Lamp on the Path to Enlightenment. In only three folios this elucidates all the thinking of the sutras and tantras. It begins:

“Most respectful homage to all holy victors of the three times,

To their Dharma, and to the Sangha.

Requested by my noble disciple Jangchub Oe,

I shall light the Lamp on the Path to Enlightenment.”

And thus ends the brief outline of the greatness of the authors.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have recently started Lamp on the Path to Enlightenment by Atisha….it is wonderful. I highly recommend it. It is clear and it is profound.

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