KG says we should look deeply into what this Dharma, that offers us the best protection, is. What is this Dharma? In answer, I will say that the Dharma from a deeper perspective is the Dharma of the Lamrim(here it is the Lamrim as is presented in Je Pabongka’s Liberation In The Palm Of Your Hand), which represents the entire teachings of Lord Buddha. The Lamrim is the Dharma in its entirety given in the form of The Graduated Stages Of The Path To Enlightenment. In Liberation, Je Pabongka has presented the Stages of the Path in the form of training the mind in these Stages. This is the most effective way of enabling us to mix the Dharma with our minds as we study the Lamrim.
Thus the Lamrim begins with the Foundation of the Path, which is Relying On The Spiritual Guide and Guru Devotion, the pith of the Path.
Then it takes us through three scopes:
(1)The Small Scope – Training the Mind in the Stages of the Path Shared with the
Small Scope;
(2)The Medium Scope – Training the Mind in the Stages of the Path Shared with
the Medium Scope; and
(3) The Great Scope – Training the Mind in the Stages of the Path of the
Great Scope.
Below is an outline and summary of the 3 scopes.
(1) The Small Scope is about training the mind to develop a yearning for a good rebirth. This scope includes recognizing the preciousness of the optimum human rebirth and taking its essence; meditating on and realizing impermanence and remembering the inevitability of Death, the uncertainty of when Death will occur and how only Dharma counts at Death; recognizing the importance of having faith and of taking Refuge in the Three Jewels and of modifying one’s behavior in accordance with the Law of Cause and Effect, Karma(to protect one from rebirth in the Lower Realms); understanding Karma and taking Refuge in it by abandoning non-virtuous actions and engaging only in virtuous actions(to create causes for happiness and avoid causes for suffering).
(2) The Medium Scope is about developing thoughts of yearning for Liberation from Samsara and renunciation of Samsara. This is done through first ascertaining the true and pervasive nature of suffering and realizing that Samsara is in the nature of suffering, and through ascertaining the true origins of suffering – Karma and delusions(mainly the three poisons of desirous attachment, ignorance and hatred /anger). Then one ascertains the true path that will liberate one from suffering and the nature of this path.
(3) The Great Scope is the scope of entering the path of the Boddhisattva or Child of the Victors and treading it to attain Full Liberation and Buddhahood. Here we begin with training to develop great compassion and altruistic love for all mother beings, that is Bodhicitta. One has developed Bodhicitta when one has a spontaneous wish to bring all mother beings to total liberation from suffering and commits to treading the Path to Full Enlightenment in order to fulfill this wish. Together with developing Bodhicitta, one trains in the deeds and ways of a Bodhisattva to attain the higher stages of the Path to Full Enlightenment, that is, one trains in the Six Perfections of Generosity, Moral Discipline, Patience, Joyous Effort, Concentration and Wisdom. One also trains in the uncommon path, the Vajrayana.
It is essential to cultivate the three fundamental aspects of the Path - Renunciation, Bodhicitta and the Correct View of Emptiness. – in order to attain all the stages of the Path to Full Liberation and Enlightenment.
